II Corinthians 8:9

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

Be more mature in your asking and in what life is all about.

Do you know what Christmas is about?

God has already given you your gift.

The gift of life.

Some grown folks should be able to say they’re already blessed.

Where did Santa Claus come from?

St. Nicholas was a leader in the church who was known for his generosity.

He wouldn’t stop talking about Jesus.

He was put in prison but still wouldn’t stop talking about Christianity.

How did we get from St. Nick to Santa Claus?

Chris Kringle was celebrated in German.

Our Christmas vision came from writers in America.

Poem from 1822 – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

I. Take a look at your focus.

Xmas takes away from the celebration of Christmas

II. Take a look at your faith.

What is your faith?

Kids need to learn about Christ as well as Santa Claus.

III. Take a look at your giving.

Is it Christmas giving or Christmas swapping?

IV. Take a look at your love.

Pastor’s Grown-up Christmas List

No sickness

Marriages will be whole

All will tithe

Come to be with Jesus and not just to sit with folks

Jesus stay with me until I die

Principal

R.F. Bumpus Middle School

THE PROMISE OF THE CHILD

Galatians 4:4-7

In chapter 7 Isaiah makes promise to the Israelites.  The promise was made to King Ahaz through Isaiah.  The Israelites were struggling and depressed at that time because the king on the throne did not love The Lord.  He didn’t understand the God that David served.  The promise was not for Ahaz’s sake it was for his father’s (David) sake and for the Israelites’s sake.

The Old Testament Records a Promise

Isaiah

God is so good that even when we won’t do good, He’ll let good fall over us.  The verse starts with “Therefore” because God was saying He was going to do this anyway.

God told them that a virgin was going to conceive a baby and that it would be a son and He would be the Savior

The last time the Israelites had heard from God was in Micah.  400 years went by.  And then “The fullness of time” occurred.

He expects you to show up and do your job…if you’re faithful, He will fulfill His promise.

The New Testament Reveals a Promise

Galatian

The conditions were right for a Savior to come.  There was one government in place and it was wrong.  Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that the entire world would pay a tax.  This was the Roman rule.  The people were praying mightly for someone to come and rescue them. The world needed some help.

The reason why we celebrate Christmas is because God kept His promise.  It became “The Fullness of Time”  The people were confused….how confused, they referred to Caesar as God.

God determined that enough was enough.  He came to rescue His people.  God had given Ahaz the promise.  God decided to send a rescue plan.  The “Superhero” comes in the form of a baby.  He sent someone who could be like us, walk like us, celebrate like us…..so that He could understand us.

II. THE PURPOSES OF THIS CHILD

a) He Came to Remind Us that God Loves Us

b) He Came to Reveal God

c) He Came to Represent Us

d) He Came to Redeem Us

Your access to Heaven is through your relationship with Jesus

Fix your mind on something in the future that will be a gift for you.  You have a trusting authority that will keep their word and ensure that it will come true.  God promised He would send us a Savior and He kept His Word.  He has promised to send Him back again.  One day He’s coming back.  He’s going to keep His promise.

R.F. Bumpus Middle School