Christmas Hope
Series: Stand Alone Sermons
December 25, 2022
Dave Smith
The memories of Christmas evoke a variety of emotions. Some fondly remember happy family times, others a special gift that was given or received, still others struggle through difficult memories of loss or pain around Christmas time ---------- But through the birth of Christ, we can have a sense of hope in what will one day be. Christ's brith reminds us that above all else, God is with us and God is for us.
Episode Notes
“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” – Matthew 1:18-23
THE CHRISTMAS STORY REMINDS US THAT:
1. Unremarkable People Can Be Remarkable
Simply By Saying “Yes” To God.
God Can Use Anybody He Wants To Carry Out His Plans.
– Joseph...Mary...Shepherds...Angels...Magi...Crazy Kings...
“Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.” – Luke 1:38
“When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.” –Matthew 1:24
2. God Often Uses Our Difficult Circumstances To Show Us Who He Really Is.
“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” – Luke 2:1-7
3. Peace Isn’t A Feeling. Peace Is A Person.
“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” – Luke 2:8-14
4. Hope Is Slow, But It’s Never Late.
“But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son, born of a woman...” – Galatians 4:4 (LB)
“He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world.” – Matthew 12:20-21
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