Finding Christmas

Finding Christmas

A Sermon for Christmas Morning

December 25, 1998

Rev. Charles S. Mims

Background Passages: Luke 2:1-20 & Matthew 2:1-12

Based on an outline found at http://www.alltel.net/~jpeters/l55.html

Well, Merry Christmas to all of you this morning. What a wonderful way for us to all get together and celebrate this blessed day, gathering in the house of God, worshipping Jesus Christ, the baby that started the celebration in the first place. Today we are going to look at the Christmas story from the perspective of looking for things that were found that day. Let me ask you, "How many of you have ever lost something you needed?" How many of you have awakened one morning ready to go to work, or to the store only to find you didn't know where your keys were? How many of you have misplaced that wallet, that keyring, that paper, that checkbook, that credit card, that driver's license, or what have you just the very time when you need it the most?

I'll tell you, Paul said he was the chief of sinners, well I'm the king of the losers. Now, now….that doesn't mean I have low self-esteem, it just means I cannot remember where I put it in the first place!! If it can be lost or misplaced I can do it. Sometimes telepathically I believe. Just this week I went three days without my watch because I could not find it anywhere. We searched the clothes hamper, the rooms, the car, the church, even down inside the object eating couch cushions, but to no avail. It just simply wasn't to be found. Then all of a sudden, there it was, right in the middle of the desk we had looked at a dozen times over the course of our search. There it was all glittery and shining, mocking me for all it's worth. That was o. k. though, because I had found it.

It is easy to lose things during the holidays. People lose their temper, lose their money, lose their sanity. Some people have lost a loved one, some have lost a child. We can see in the Christmas story that things can be found as well.

You might find a more congenial loving attitude during the holiday, or you might become more jovial and understanding. You might find blessing by attending the variety of Christmas presentations around town. You might find joy in giving, and you may even find joy in receiving! Or, you may find satisfaction when the hard work you did for the church's musical is finally over, but what did the cast of the original story find? Let's spend a few moments this morning looking at this very question. Let's see how they found Christmas.

Mary and Joseph Found a Son -- Luke 2:7

Luke 2:7
⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now perhaps it sounds a bit foolish to say that they 'found' a son. After all, Mary certainly must have know exactly where he was for the past nine months. We must remember however that while Mary & Joseph knew they were going to have a child, the way in which Christ was born was not exactly in their family planning. They never intended to be parents quite like this.

Matthew 1:18
¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Mary & Joseph were betrothed. This has a significant meaning in Biblical times. It is much more than a modern day engagement that can be broken off without social or ethical stigma attached to it. Folks that were betrothed were 'almost' married. The difference between them and those that were married was in the fact that they still lived in separate houses and had not consummated the marriage. So for Joseph to find out that Mary was pregnant really placed him in somewhat of a bind. Because in the eyes of society, Mary must have had an adulterous affair, that would be the only explanation. The fact that he didn’t condemn her, and in fact went on to marry her say a whole lot about the character of Joseph. So, on that first Christmas morning these two proud parents found a son that they could call their own because God chose them. Joseph was Jesus' daddy. He taught Him, he raised Him, he was truly His parent while here on earth. What a beautiful package to find under the tree. (Or in the manger as the case may be)

The Shepherds Found a Savior -- Luke 2:11

Luke 2:11
¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

You know, those shepherds were really in the cat-bird seat. They were the recipients of the single most important public service announcement ever made. Don't you imagine they were surprised to here those angels singing? I'm sure they were not looking to have their quiet night shattered by the sounds of heaven's chorus. Yet when the news was delivered to them, they went in search of the savior. They left their flock to find the king. These men had been told that a savior, the Messiah, was born in Bethlehem so off they went to find this baby. Notice the scripture says they came to Bethlehem with haste! The shepherds found who they were seeking. They found a savior that first Christmas morning. They found Him because they took action when they heard the news. They had to go look for Him in order to find Him. It's not so different today. When we here the Good News of Jesus' birth, we ought to run, not walk, RUN straight to the manger and allow the Lord to be our King.

Herod Found a Stumbling Block -- Matthew 2:1-8, 12, 16-18

Matthew 2:1 through Matthew 2:8
¹Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, ²Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. ³When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. ⁵And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, ⁶And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. ⁷Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. ⁸And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

¹²And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

¹⁶Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. ¹⁷Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, ¹⁸In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

I am calling it a stumbling block, but in Herod's mind it was much more than a mere stumbling block, it was more like a whole forest! Herod had some pretty definite plans for his life, and you can rest assured that Jesus wasn't part of those plans. Herod was the King of the Jews, and he would do anything and everything to remain in power. Power and position is very important to our society as well. A man in authority may very easily abuse his authority to stay in power. It happens at the top level of our government as well as at the city levels. Power is addictive and corrupting, and Herod had a bad case of both addiction and corruption.

These Magi were passing through in search of the baby that had been announced by the Eastern Star. They came to Herod and asked where is the one that has been born who is King of the Jews. Now, can you imagine the red that Herod was beginning to see? Here were these foreigners coming into HIS kingdom, asking about a new born king. So Herod sent for the priests and the scribes and demanded that they tell him what was going on. Then he sent the wise men on their way with instructions to return and tell him where Jesus was so that he might worship him as well. The wise men were a little to wise to fall for that line, so they ducked out of the country by the back door. Well, that infuriated ol' Herod to the point of cold-blooded murder. He was so frightened by that young child that to be sure he got the right one he ordered all boys under the age of two killed. He desperately wanted to hang on to his power. Isn't it a shame that in his power lust he missed the blessing of the Messiah? Jesus was never after his throne, only his heart. Just like he is after our hearts as well at Christmas Day 1998. He wants us to put away anything that stands between us and Him. For Herod it was the power of the throne, for us it may be something else, but Christ wants us to put it aside and find Christmas anew today.

The Wise Men Found a King -- Matthew 2:2,11

Matthew 2:2
²Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

¹¹And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

We spoke a moment ago of these wise men. They came into town in search of a king, and that is exactly what they found. Have you ever noticed how much it helps when you have lost something to actually look for it? I'm sure many of you have experienced children whom you have told to go get something. They go off into their rooms, stare at the ceiling for a few minutes, then return saying "But Daaaaaaaddddddy, I looked Evvvvverrrryyywherrrre!" Well, these wise men went looking for something, and actual found what they sought. I think it is important for us to note exactly what they did when the found Him. They bowed down before Him and worshipped! Many people today have looked for Jesus, and actually found Him, but they have refused to take this next step. They have refused to bow down before Him and allow HIM to be king! Jesus is King, and the time will come when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is LORD!

Is He YOUR Lord? This morning, have your truly found Christmas? Is Christ your savior, or do you view Him as a stumbling block? If you are to find the true meaning of this holiday we are celebrating today you must make Christ your King.