A Messiah for You (Luke 2:4-14)
Gary McManus, 12/20/2020Part of the Christmas series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
12/20/20 Luke 2:4-14 The Fourth Sunday in Advent
A dad told the Pastor:
“Well, Christmas is for children.”
There is a sermon waiting there,
but not today. Book: “An Adult Christ at Christmas”
by Raymond E. Brown
The question still is there:
“What are you looking FORWARD to at Christmas?”
The so called “Christmas stories” of the Bible
(Matthew 1:18-2:12, Luke 2:1-40)
show us . . .God.
There are messengers from God (angels).
The events to happen are the births of two
extraordinary boys, John and Jesus.
Have we forgotten at Christmas the reason for
the season? Without these two children, John and Jesus, Christmas becomes a celebration of childbirth and family.
But the angel’s words: “to you [adult males]
is BORN today, a Savior. . . “
Ancient Greeks and Romans were visited by
gods DISGUISED as adult humans (mostly)
(See Acts 14:11, Acts 28:6 ).
The word to the shepherds:
“. . .BORN . . .you will find an infant. . .”
(Luke 2:11-12)
Fast forward eight days (Luke 2: 22-35)
What did Simeon expect to see?
No matter; the Holy Spirit only had a baby
to show to Simeon. Simeon celebrated.
Simeon celebrated God’s plan/offer of salvation
through Jesus Messiah.
Simeon’s words echo Isaiah (mostly).
See Isaiah 40:5, Isaiah 46:13, Isaiah 52:9-10.
This is the God we worship.
The Living God has promised our welfare.
We may be connected to the source of all life. . .
the source of NEW LIFE.
We are to be the Lord God’s own people.
(See 1 Peter 2:9-10.)
God Himself has come in Jesus
to make good on God’s promise.
This God, our shepherd, will lead us OUT
of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
Celebrate at Christmas this extraordinary birth (Jesus).
John, also (son of the priest Zechariah),
was extraordinary. Gabriel said of John:(Luke 1: 16-17.
Give more thought to what the Living God
wants to do FOR YOU?
God has your welfare in mind.
God wants a relationship with you.
This God has love for you.
God’s love is so great as to bring God to you
in Jesus.
This Christmas, celebrate your acceptance
of what God promised; to make for himself a people.
God wants to save you. Amen.
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