Today is Christmas Day, December 25th

1
Today is Christmas Day, December 25th

• The Bible does not tell us when Jesus was
  actually born, yet most of the world talks about
  Jesus this time of the year.
• We know that religious celebrations of Christmas
  are man-made, not God-ordained, observances.
• Our most important celebration focuses every week
  on His death and resurrection.
• BUT It is certainly not a sin to dwell on other
  events in Jesus life even in late December.

2
How Should We Regard the Seasonal Emphasis on
Jesus Birth?

• Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy
  and strife, but some also from good will the
  latter do it out of love, knowing that I am
  appointed for the defense of the gospel the
  former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition
  rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause
  me distress in my imprisonment.
• What then? Only that in every way, whether in
  pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed and
  in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice.
  (Phil. 115 18)

3
Christ is proclaimed and in this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice.

• If the world is talking about Jesus birth, let
  us use the opportunity teach about Him.

4
The Bible Accounts of Jesus Birth

• Luke 21 20
• Matthew 21 16

5
Insights from Jesus Birth

• God sometimes works His will in mix-ups,
  unplanned situations and tragedies.
• Travel during a busy time, Expectant wife in her
  9th month, No room at the Inn, The babys bed
• As Joseph rushed his family to Egypt, Herod
  initiated a malicious massacre of infant boys.
• An improvised, on-the-fly series of events ended
  up perfectly fulfilling an ancient plan.
• When it seemed nobody was in control, God was
  guiding events to a specific purpose.

6
Insights from Jesus Birth

• God sometimes works His will in mix-ups,
  unplanned situations and tragedies.
• Israels Red Sea Incident.
• Josephs up-and-down life in Egypt.
• The scattering of Christians after Stephens
  death.
• Even today, when things do not go as we plan, God
  is still in control.
• He may use those kinds of situations to bring
  about His will.

7
Insights from Jesus Birth

• Very old promises from God do not expire. They
  will come to happen.
• Nearly 2,000 years passed between the promise of
  Jesus to Abraham and the actual birth.
• Abraham waited 25 years for the son of promise.
• God waited 8-1/2 centuries to fulfill promises
  hinging on Israels sinfulness. (Deuteronomy 28
  through 2 Chronicles 36)
• For us, the promise of Jesus coming was made a
  very long time ago. We can keep faith in His
  return.
• 2 Peter 33 9

8
2 Peter 33 9

• In the last days mockers will come with their
  mocking, following after their own lusts, and
  saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For
  ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues
  just as it was from the beginning of creation."
• But do not let this one fact escape your notice,
  beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a
  thousand years, and a thousand years like one
  day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as
  some count slowness, but is patient toward you,
  not wishing for any to perish but for all to come
  to repentance.

9
Insights from Jesus Birth

• The Lord showed a noticeable lack of pretension
  self-importance in His chosen manner of birth.
• Born in a barn, slept in a feeding trough, news
  first given to local shepherds, etc.
• Philippians 25 7 1 Peter 55

10

• Have this attitude in yourselves which was also
  in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the
  form of God, did not regard equality with God a
  thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking
  the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the
  likeness of men. (Philippians 25-7)
• All of you, clothe yourselves with humility
  toward one another, for God is opposed to the
  proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore
  humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
  that He may exalt you at the proper time. (1
  Peter 55-6)

11
Insights from Jesus Birth

• The Lord showed a noticeable lack of pretension
  self-importance in His chosen manner of birth.
• Born in a barn, slept in a feeding trough, news
  first given to local shepherds, etc.
• Philippians 25 7 1 Peter 55
• He emptied Himself, showing that we can and
  should do the same.
• Faithful Christians must learn how to be what
  doesnt come naturally to most of us people who
  voluntarily live to serve others.

12
Insights from Jesus Birth

• God sometimes works His will in mix-ups,
  unplanned situations and tragedies.
• Very old promises from God do not expire. They
  will come to happen.
• The Lord showed a noticeable lack of pretension
  and self-importance in His own birth.

The Bible record of Jesus birth tells us more
than simply how He was born. It teaches us how
Providence, Faith and Humility work together to
accomplish what is Good and Right.