Luke 2:23-25

 

(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of doves or two young pigeons.

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

 

 

Today, we have come to the final message in our Advent series. Based on Luke 2, we have talked about Preparing for Christmas and Responding to Christmas. In this final message, we discover the power of connecting with Christ.

 

 

Bethlehem’s Manger Was More than a Birthing Room, It Was A Throne Room:               Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

 

1.         Bethlehem connects us with His humanity .                                                     v. 6

 

2.         Bethlehem connects us with His divinity .                                                       v. 6

 

3.         Bethlehem connects us with His authority .                                                     v. 6

 

4.         Bethlehem connects us with His attributes .                                                     v. 6

 

 

Christ came to live where we live. The Royalty of Heaven took up residency on earth.

                                                                    L. B. Hicks

 

 

The Star of Christmas Was Born in Obscurity So That We Could Have Clarity of Purpose:

1 Corinthians 1:18-23

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: ÒI will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.Ó

20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

 

1.         He connects grace and truth.

 

2.         He connects consecration and celebration.

 

3.         He connects meaning and madness.

 

4.         He connects today with tomorrow.

 

 

God loves me just the way I am. (That’s grace!) But, God loves me too much to let me stay that way. (That’s truth!)

                                                                   Max Lucado