December 9, Second Sunday of Advent

Lessons: Isaiah 11.1-10; Romans 15.4-13

Sermon Title: Christmas Reconsidered

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INTRODUCTION:

  1. Billy Graham once said that there were Three Symbols of Christmas. (1)

    1. The Cradle.

      1. There, in Bethlehem, were cradled the hopes and dreams of a dying world.

      2. The child in the manger would soon to open blind eyes, unstop deaf ears and still the troubled seas.

      3. That cooing voice was soon to teach men of the Way and to raise the dead.

      4. Those tiny feet were to take Him to the sick and needy and were to be pierced on Calvary's cross.

    2. The Cross.

      1. There were both light and shadow on that first Christmas.

      2. There was joy with overtones of sadness, for Jesus was born to die.

      3. Jesus, approaching the cross, said, To this end was I born and to this cause came I into the world.

      4. To Christians the joy of Christmas is not limited to His birth.

      5. It was His death and resurrection that gave meaning to His birth.

    3. The Crown

      1. Jesus was crowned with a crown of thorns and enthroned on a cruel cross, yet His assassins did something, perhaps unwittingly.

      2. They placed a superscription over His cross in Greek, Latin and Hebrew: "This is the King"

      3. Christ is a King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is coming back someday.

      4. He will come not as a babe in Bethlehem's manager.

      5. The next time He comes it will be in a blaze of glory and He will be crowned Lord of all.

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MAIN BODY:

  1. In the Advent hymn On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry written by Charles Coffin we have the announcement of the Savior.

On Jordan's bank the Baptist''s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings!

Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home,
Where such a mighty Guest may come.

For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.

Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.

To Him Who left the throne of Heaven
To save mankind, all praise be given;
Like praise be to the Father done,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.

    1. We are encouraged by the words of this hymn to reconsider Christmas.

      1. What are we going to give.

      2. What are we going to receive.

  1. In an Email from Christianity Today, there was offered what you might call the ultimate gift. (2)

    1. It is a Jerusalem Cross a special Christmas offering from the Sacred Mint.

      1. I would like to read you the description that came with the offer.

Throughout the Ages, the blessed City of Jerusalem was heralded as the City of Miracles. Pilgrims to Jerusalem often gathered handfuls of ground from Jerusalem to bestow prosperity and success upon their households. Upon their return to their homes, they would have this ground encased in a masterfully crafted ornate vessel that oftentimes took the form of the Cross. These rare crosses were highly prized family heirlooms that have remained in families for centuries and have passed down through the generations.

Inspired by priceless 12th and 14th century originals, The Jerusalem Cross holds actual ground fragments gathered from the hills of Jerusalem. Beautifully designed to show this ground, this exquisite sign of Jesus will be admired by all for its rich jewelry details and for its spiritual magnitude and meaning.

      1. Contains Stone from the Holy Land

      2. Certificate of Authenticity with Limited Edition Numbering

      3. Beautifully appointed gold or silver rope chain.

        1. Comes in either Gold or Silver Plate

        2. Cross Dimensions: 2"L x 1-1/4"W x 3/8"D

        3. Chain Dimensions: 24" Rope Chain

    1. You may purchase one for $39.95

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  1. When you contemplate Christmas, what are you going to find under the Christmas Tree.

    1. Growing up my brothers and sisters and me were only interested in what was enclosed in the wrapping paper.

      1. After several attempts to get to the tree before anyone else, we were finally allowed to get up.

      2. We had to wait until after breakfast to get to the tree.

    2. By the time we got there we knew most of what we would find under the tree.

      1. We were so gift orientated.

      2. All we wanted to know was what we were going to receive.

    3. We did not have Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services, that is unless Christmas fell on a Saturday.

      1. We did not read the Christmas story in Luke.

      2. We did not talk about angels, shepherds, wise men, and the Christ-child.

    4. It was not until much later that I discovered that there was more under the tree than a shirt or pants, socks or underwear, a small toy or a piece of seldom seen fruit.

  2. What was under the tree was the gift of the Christ-child.

    1. What was under the tree could not be seen.

      1. What was under the tree could not be opened.

      2. What was under the tree could only be put on.

      3. This present was not like clothes that could be seen.

    2. This present brought all that my mom and step-dad's money could not buy.

      1. This was a present from God.

      2. It was the partial fulfillment of a long-ago promise.

      3. The complete fulfillment awaits.

      4. It seems so fantastic that it is difficult to believe.

6The wolf shall live with the lamb,
    the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
 the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
    and a little child shall lead them.
7The cow and the bear shall graze,
    their young shall lie down together;
     and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
     and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den.
9They will not hurt or destroy
    on all my holy mountain;
 for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
    as the waters cover the sea.
10On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious,

    1. It's going to happen folks!

      1. I believe it!

      2. I stake my life on it!

      3. God will not disappoint me or you or anyone else.

    2. I know what it is to be struck by the rod.

      1. This is not the rod of discipline.

      2. The word may be better translated by the word of his mouth.

        1. By what Jesus says.

        2. By what Jesus teaches.

    3. I know what it is to be killed by the breath on one's mouth.

      1. I can still hear the jeers and the cutting comments by some of the neighborhood boys: Russell, Jimmy, Johnny, and Joe.

      2. This is better understood to mean the decisions that Jesus has made, and will make.

    4. What a difference is makes when we better understand the ancient imagery.

      1. The Apostle Paul puts it this way:

8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
    "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
    and sing praises to your name";
10and again he says,
    "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people";
11and again,
    "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples praise him";
12and again Isaiah says,
    "The root of Jesse shall come,
    the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
    in him the Gentiles shall hope."
13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, (Romans 15:4-13, NRSVA).

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CONCLUSION:

  1. This last week I read a beautiful "A Christmas Prayer." (3)

Most Holy & Majestic Father,

There's so much "hype" around Christmas time. I have to admit that I enjoy all the jolly jingle and festive frolic as much as anyone. But, Lord, as I enter into the fast-paced season ahead, help me walk slowly and quietly.

Let me stop and listen to the angels sing of the greatest news ever told!

Let my heart, mind and soul join the chorus. "Glory in the Highest!! The Messiah has been born!"

Among all the bright sparkling lights and cheery holiday tunes, let my spirit travel once again toward Bethlehem to honor and worship Jesus, my King! The Prince of Peace, the Lord of Hosts, Mighty Counselor, Son of God, the Lamb. All Your love, mercy and power somehow made flesh in the tiny form of a humble baby born in a manger. Let me worship the only one who is worthy to take our sin away and open the gates of all eternity!

Amen

    1. Billy Graham gives us a vision of Christmas.

      1. The Manger.

      2. The Cross.

      3. The Crown.

    2. The Christmas prayer give us the purpose.

    3. Dr. Seuss, who, in his rousing, Oh, the Places You'll Go (4) urges us onward with these bracing words:

"You have brains in your head.
 You have feet in your shoes.
 You can steer yourself
 any direction you choose.
 You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
 And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."

  1. Does all this help us to reconsider Christmas?

Amen!

1. Retrieved from: http://members.aol.com/sweiss6650/ThreeXmas.html

2. Christianity Today Weekly Newsletter-HTML [ctweekly-html@lists.christianitytoday.com]

3. martysjotd [martysjotd@hotmail.com]

4. New York: Random House, 1997

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