Message topic: The recipe for Christmas.
Scripture text: Luke 2:4-19.
I believe that you will agree with me in that there are more recipes for different food dishes at Christmas times than any other time of the year: but what about Christmas itself? How did it come about?
The recipe for Christmas is listed in the books of Mathew and Luke: in Luke 2: starting at verse one we find these words, there went out a decree from Caesar Agustus, that all the world should be taxed. Let’s stop and ask a question, who was Ceasar Agustus? Ceasar Agustus was the adapted son of Julius Cassar governor of Cyria, and he called for taxation on everyone in his domain.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Juda unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David: to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. So, it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered of her child.
The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was a three days distance: so, for a nine- month pregnant woman, it could possibly take more time; that could be the reason for her to have her baby in a stable for the animals in the winter time as they could not find any room in any of the inns in town. She had no birth clothes for her baby, so she had to wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.
At the same time, there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night, when an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, this frightens them, but they were told not to be afraid, since I only bring to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. What was that good news?
Today, said the angel, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This is a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly there was a heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
The angels left, and the shepherds went to Bethlehem.
They wanted to know if the message from the angels were true; to their surprise they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby just as the angels told them that they would: as they return to their flocks they began to spread the news that the promised one has arrived.
It was not only the shepherds who had news of the birth of the great one, wise men from a far had seen signs in the sky, and traveled long distance to see this great sign and worship him, then presented him with gifts.
Now, can you see the origin of the Christmas story, which dates back to the story of the birth of Jesus? This Christmas story started when the angel Gabriel visited Mary a virgin and tells her that she was going to conceive and have a child, and she accepted this divine message with faith.
What we refer to as Christmas, in this country and the time of the year, a few others countries also celebrate it in one form or the other and at different time of the year: there are those who believes that the birth of Jesus was not in the winter month, as the shepherds would not be out in the cold watching over their sheep, and there were no animal in the barn when Jesus was born.
The Christmas story as told in the bible, is central to the Christian faith and is commemorated annually on December 25th.
The celebration of Christmas has evolved over the centuries and incorporates various cultural and religious traditions, but its core message remains the birth of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring salvation and hope to humanity.
Christmastime is a season rich with traditions that bring together family, faith, and culture and that emphasize themes of hope, joy, generosity, and goodwill. For Christians, Christmas centers on the birth and Nativity, of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
It marks the event in which God became human, born as a helpless baby in a stable for livestock. Over time, the introduction of customs such as decorating trees and exchanging gifts and of characters like Santa Claus gradually led to the holiday being embraced by both Christian and secular communities around the world.
The shepherds were very much afraid when the angel appeared to them at night, then said to them. Be not afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for people. What was the good news? A savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord.
Now we can see that something has gone wrong; if the Savior brought good news to all mankind, why is so many wrongs is been done at Christmas time? There are those who will tell you that the first time they drank alcohol and become drunk, was at Christmas time: others will sell you that the first time they gambled was at Christ time, and don’t forget those who will tell you that the first time they had elicit relationship, it was at Christmas time: and a host of other wrong things that take place first at Christmas; why is this so?.
The angel said this birth means that Christ the Lord is with us: why then is so much wrong things goes on at Christ time? It is because men has failed to accept Christ as Lord of their lives, as they are influenced by the evil one.
We cannot serve two masters at the same time, we will hate one and serve the other. The evil one is the master of deception and always cause us to believe that we are accepted in God’s eyes no matter what we do.
Christ the Lord came into the world for one reason, that is to save the people from their sins, but the evil one has found a way to deceive mankind in causing them to deny Him and fail to believe His words.
O love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may rich-er, full-er be. O light that fol-lowest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee; my heart re-stores its bor-rowed ray, that in thy sun-shine’s blaze its day may brighter fairer be.
Close my heart to thee, I trace the rain-bow through the rain. and feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tear-less be. O cross that lift-est up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life’s glory dead. And from the ground there blossoms red, life that shall end-less be. God is the same today as he has ever been and will always be.