What Do You REALLY Want for Christmas

Start with prayer—

Ask the question what to you want for Christmas?  

Scripture text–

Luke 1:26-35

Matthew 1:18-25

Luke 2:1-16

Matthew 2:1-11

We have heard the Christmas story so many times that it has become something we really don’t even pay much attention to anymore.  Not only have I heard the Christmas story many times and have also read it many times but I had forgotten that the wise men didn’t come and worship Jesus at the manger.  I have been so used to seeing the world’s rendition of that holy night and the abundance of nativity scenes that show the wise men at the manger.  

The people of this world have been blinded (deceived) into forgetting what the true meaning of Christmas is.  Forgetting the reason that the Christ was even born.  Nowadays Christmas is all about giving and getting.  Shopping and eating.  Santa and presents.  When I was a kid most people at least went to church on Christmas but now it’s hard to find very many that even remember that Christmas is about Christ, and in order to be “politically correct” some people don’t even allow the word “Christmas” be said.  Now it’s just a “holiday”.  They have taken Christ out of Christmas.  Then like I said there are those of us who have heard the Christmas story sooo much we don’t even pay attention to it anymore.  

So what really is it all about?  Is it about giving or getting? Yes, no, maybe. Of course, we know it’s about the birth of a savior, but so what about that birth.  What’s a savior anyway?  So you mean to tell me that the true meaning of Christmas is about salvation?  Yes, it is about salvation.  We can see from the scriptures that God came to earth in the flesh in the form of a baby, his life was to teach us how to be saved from impending death and destruction due to sin, and to show us God’s will for our lives. Then he gave his life as the sacrificial lamb that his precious shed blood might be able to cleanse humankind from sin should they choose to accept it.  So truly he was born to die, that we might live.  Sounds kind of weird, but it’s true.  So what about presents at Christmas time?  Why do we give gifts?  Well, some folks believe the tradition started because the wise men gave gifts to Jesus but the truth is, the first Christmas gift ever given was from God.  He gave himself!   So is Christmas about giving, or getting.  Well, I say it’s yes and no.  It’s who did the giving that’s important and what was given that’s even more important.   The bible says...

Gal 1:4–Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our father.

Titus 2:14–Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

So you see Christmas really isn’t about the birth of a baby.  It about the birth of the plan of salvation.  Christmas is about the birth of a savior.  Our savior, Jesus Christ, the offering for our sins.

So it was unto us that this child was given that we might be saved.  God’s whole plan from the foundation of the world was that he would come to this world in the likeness of humanity, and then offer that human life for atonement of our sin.  Isn’t he wonderful!  

Memory verse:  Isaiah 9:6—For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

His name is JESUS!