Does Christmas Make a Difference?

In a Peanuts cartoon strip Linus and Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, are talking.  Linus says, “Life is peculiar…” He continues, “Wouldn’t you like to have your life to live over if you knew what you know now?”

After a moment of deep pondering and soul-searching, little Sally asks, “What do I know now?”

What do you know now that is changing the way you live your life?  What about Christmas?  What do you know about Christmas that affects your outlook and behavior?

If someone were to ask you what the birth of Jesus means to you, what would you say?

Here are some points to ponder from an article entitled “What Does the Birth of Christ Mean?”  I encourage you to look up and read the accompanying verses.

1. It means that prophecy has been fulfilled.
2. Concerning the place of birth—Micah 5:2
3. Concerning the means of birth—Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23
4. Concerning lineage—Isaiah 11:1-3 These passages affirm that God handled all of the arrangements; it was a miraculous birth, a divine birth.

 

2. It means that an Heir was born to Israel’s throne. God had promised an heir to Israel’s throne; read what the angel Gabriel said to Mary: Luke 1:32 & 33. (Notice how long it will last!)

 

3. It means that joy has come into this world. Luke records three instances of rejoicing:

1. The angels—Luke 2:14
2. The shepherds—Luke 2:20
3. Simeon—Luke 2: 25-32

 

4. It means that a Savior has been provided.

1. He came as a ransom—Mark 10:45. What is a ransom? It means to secure the re­lease of someone or something for a required price.
2. He came to save us from sin—Luke 1:21
3. He came to seek and save the lost. Read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10

 

5. It means that Satan would be defeated—1 John 3: 8; Hebrews 2: 14. If Jesus can remove Satan from each of our hearts, then it means:

 

6. That peace can enter our hearts.

1. He came to bring peace—Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:14
2. He made peace at Calvary—Colossians 2:19-20
3. He is our eternal peace—Isaiah 9:7

 

7. It means that a way to heaven has been provided.

1. A way promised by Jesus—John 14:5 & 6
2. A way is made by God’s love—John 3:16

 

8. Finally, He will come again in glory.

1. Fulfill His word—John 14:3
2. Raise the dead—1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
3. Destroy death—1 Corinthians 15:25 & 26
4. Gather the elect—Matthew 24:31
5. Judge the world—Matthew 25:32-46
6. Reward God’s people—Matthew 16:27

 

From prophecy, through the joy of His birth, the salvation offered to us, the defeat of Satan, the assurance of eternal life, and the promise of His return— that’s what the birth of Jesus can mean to you.

What does Christmas mean to you? What do you know now about Jesus and His birth?  How does it affect your life?  I pray you have a Christ-filled Christmas full of life-altering meaning that super-charges your hope for the coming new year.

 

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Stephen