Scripture: Luke 2:8-14
Introduction
- My friends, as followers of Christ, we are part of a great regeneration.
- You see Christ’s birth is more than just a celebration or remembrance.
- For those who know Him as our Savior, it is a reminder of the merciful gift of God.
- The gift that He gave to us, a broken and sinful people, who are lost in this world.
- Oh, the world paints a picture of happiness and joy and fulfillment, but it is all lies.
- Real joy and fulfillment only come when we know Christ and serve Him.
- Biltmore has evolved into a place where there is an abundance of opportunity to serve.
- We have learned and continue to learn that helping others in need is greatly satisfying.
- It’s not all work and no play though here; we eat good; we have great music; we have great fellowship and fun.
- We live in a time of high anxiety; the stresses of this life are coming faster and bigger.
- Isn’t it nice to think there is an oasis in the midst of all the noise of the world?
- Charlie Brown asks the question “Does anybody know what Christmas is all about?”
- He is lamenting because he is all caught up in the stress of Christmas: finding the right tree, decorating it, getting presents, organizing family gatherings.
- Have any of you found Christmas to be a bit STRESSFUL?
- Tonight, I want us to think about two things that Christmas is all about:
- Security
- Rebirth
1. Security
- When Charles Schulz agreed to do the Peanuts Christmas special He insisted it had to mean something.
- Having Linus quote Scripture was an amazing and bold step on his part.
- In A Charlie Brown Religion by Stephen J. Lind, Shulz is quoted as saying: “that Linus represented his spiritual side”, and the spiritual biography points out a much wider array of religious references.
- So, this message from Shulz to millions of viewers is His deeply personal perspective given through the character of Linus.
- A significant detail that you may or may not have noticed in the clip is Linus dropping his blanket on the floor while he talked..
- You see, Linus was NEVER without his security blanket in hand except for this moment.
- Do you ever have times when you feel insecure? Do you hang onto YOUR blanket?
- I think if you have ever had a cat or dog you know this feeling – am I right?
- They make you feel secure because you know their love for you is simple and complete.
- There are no expectations or “it’s complicated” issues with our pets beyond “feed me.”
- Although I think our cat has a whole lot of issues going on in his head.
- This is the gift of Christ to each of us because His love is simple and complete.
- When you think about security at the time of Jesus’ birth, do you think about shepherds?
- Sheep were vital to the food supply in ancient Israel, and it was up to the shepherds to guard them and protect them all night long.
- So, we have the scene with the angels appearing to the shepherds in the night.
- They were afraid because the glory of the Lord must have been an incredible other-worldly sight. Like if a Taylor Swift concert suddenly appeared in the sky.
- These guys aren’t easily scared; they regularly fight off wolves and other predators.
- These guys also were NOT religious leaders; they were regular people like us.
- They were just doing their job; it was just another day; same stuff – different day.
- These were the guys that GOD trusted to witness to the event of Christ’s birth.
- God uses regular people to accomplish his most important jobs.
- God needed somebody reliable to witness the event and the shepherds were perfect.
- No one would have doubted their story even as far-fetched as it was.
- Also, they were a group of witnesses and that gave them even more credibility.
- It kind of sounds like our church: aren’t we a group of witnesses?
- In our case, we are witnesses that God has visited on us a mission of helping others.
- We know that we couldn’t do the things we do here without God’s help.
- We are continuously reassured and encouraged.
- Fear not, my friends because Christ has come into this world and is working here with us.
2. Rebirth
- Every Christmas Eve, we celebrate the birth of Christ as though He is coming tomorrow for the first time.
- For us, it is as though Jesus is being reborn because each of us is being reborn.
- We are all sinners, and we struggle in our humanity to make God a priority.
- We continuously make mistakes and fall down, and things can seem hopeless.
- Indeed, at this time of the year, many people are affected by severe depression and despair.
- Jesus feels our pain and can relate to what it means to be human,
- Jesus knew betrayal and pain and suffering.
- But tonight, He is new and freshly arrived “wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
- This is what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.
- New life in the form of baby Jesus who has come to bring each of us new life.
- Can you picture the new life that you see in the face of a newborn baby?
- In Revelation 21:5 Jesus says: “Behold, I make all things new.”
- This is what Christmas is all about: making all things new.
- Christmas is about the arrival of a Savior that God sent to fix a fallen humanity.
- He comes anew every year to save you and to save me from ourselves.
- And not just once a year, but every day.
- I don’t know about you, but I need saving every minute, every hour and every day.
- We need to praise God just like the heavenly host because only He deserves our thanks.
- Because none of us deserves this amazing gift of redemption He so easily gives.
- Our life as Christians is about continuous renewal and regeneration.
- As we celebrate tonight, remember that we celebrate the arrival of our Savior.
- We can feel secure because we now have this Savior to help us.
- Tomorrow is a new day – a day filled by human trials and tribulations.
- Fear not because Jesus has come into the world.
- Remember what Jesus said in John 16:33:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
- Embrace the newborn king; wrap your arms around this infant child; receive His love.
- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.