The Gospel of Christmas

On this Sunday before Christmas, I want to share with you the Gospel of Christmas in three statements that will include the traditional Christmas story as well as other Scriptures that give us a fuller picture of the gospel.

 

 

1. At Christmas, we CELEBRATE that Jesus was born in a cradle and of a virgin and as a fulfillment of prophecy, Luke 2:1-20.

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

 

When we think of a cradle, we think of rocking and padded and pretty.  However, the cradle of Luke 2 wasn’t that at all.  It was a feeding trough or a manger as mentioned in verses 7, 12, and 16. 

 

Think about that for just a moment.  The only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth was placed in a feeding trough after He was born.  If you’ve ever been on a farm or raised livestock, you might have a more accurate picture in mind than some of us.

 

Being born in a cradle or feeding trough or manger reminds us of Jesus’ humanity.  He was the Son of Man.

 

However, this Christmas story also reminds us of His deity as He was born or a virgin.  Go back to Luke 1:31-35.

 

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”  34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”  35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

 

In verse 31, Gabriel is talking to Mary about how graciously God will use her in His redemptive plan.  However, Mary questioned the angel because she had never been with a man.  She was a virgin.

 

The angel responded with letting her know that that the miraculous would occur.  It would be a miraculous conception. 

 

Because Jesus was born of a virgin and miraculously conceived, He didn’t inherit or receive our sin nature and the guilt of Adam and Eve.  Therefore, this fact speaks to His deity.  He not only was the Son of Man, but He also the Son of God.

 

And the events surrounding His birth were the fulfillment of prophecy some 700 years before.  See Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7.

 

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

 

6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 

Again, at Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus in a cradle and of a virgin and as a fulfillment of prophecy.

 

 

2. At Christmas, we COMMEMORATE that Jesus died on a cross for our sins and as fulfillment of prophecy, Luke 23:32-46.

32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”  And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”  36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”  38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”  40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”  43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last.

 

To commemorate means to remember, and it is imperative that we remember that Jesus being born of a virgin was not the end of God’s plan.  God’s plan also included Jesus dying on the cross. 

 

Dr. Luke gives us his account in Luke 23.  By the way, just in case you’re in church today or joining us online and wondering if God can save you, consider the thief on the cross. 

 

He woke up that morning on the way to hell.  He died that afternoon and went to heaven.  He repented in verses 40-41.  He requested salvation in verse 42.  He was redeemed in verse 43.

 

Jesus died on the cross, but He also died for our sins.  See 2 Corinthians 5:21.

 

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

 

In the great exchange, when Jesus died on the cross, He took our sin and made it possible for anyone who would believe to have His righteousness.  He was sinless, our substitute, and completely satisfied God’s wrath that allowed us to have His righteousness.

 

And like His birth, His substitutionary death was also a fulfillment of prophecy.  See Isaiah 53:4-5.

 

4 Surely He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes we are healed.

 

At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus being born in a cradle of a virgin and as a fulfillment of prophesy.  We also commemorate Jesus dying on a cross and for our sins and as a fulfillment of prophesy. 

 

 

3. At Christmas, we remember the coming of Jesus with a crown to judge and as a fulfillment of prophesy, Revelation 19:11-16.

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

After Jesus died on the cross, He was resurrected from the grave to live eternally with His Father in heaven.  However, He’s coming back to earth one day.  This time, He will be wearing a crown according to Revelation 19:12.

 

Furthermore, His return will be to judge all of humanity as seen in his eyes like a flame and out of His mouth will come a sharp sword.  Jesus will also have the name of King of Kings and Lord and Lords. 

 

Finally, even this will be a fulfillment of prophecy as Revelation 19 is yet to happen. 

 

 

Conclusion

My invitation this morning comes in the form of a question as go to Revelation 20:11-15.  When Jesus comes again with a crown to judge humanity, will He judge you to heaven or to hell?

 

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.