Christmas From The Beginning of Time
We shouldn’t be satisfied with only half of a good story. And yet with Christmas, that is what most of us do. We enter the story of Jesus without much consideration of the story God has already spoken. We begin at Bethlehem, but God’s story about Jesus begins much earlier. In today’s message, Dr. John reminds and instructs us about the Old Testament being all about Jesus. Genesis to Malichi is God’s story to us about the Saviour to come. As Christmas approaches, let’s consider the whole narrative of Jesus.
Christmas From The Beginning of Time
We shouldn’t be satisfied with only half of a good story. And yet with Christmas, that is what most of us do. We enter the story of Jesus without much consideration of the story God has already spoken. We begin at Bethlehem, but God’s story about Jesus begins much earlier. In today’s message, Dr. John reminds and instructs us about the Old Testament being all about Jesus. Genesis to Malichi is God’s story to us about the Saviour to come. As Christmas approaches, let’s consider the whole narrative of Jesus.
The First Promise of Christmas
We assume that life breaks simply because that is our known experience. Our machines and devices, our health and relationships, our dreams and ambitions – all of these suffer loss, failure and misuse. But it hasn’t always been that way. In today’s message, Dr. John takes us to the very beginning, where life was pristine and perfect. But the temptation of the serpent became the entrance of sin for humanity. Our hope is this. At the very start of brokenness, God points us to a Redeemer. The first promise of Christmas comes when sin first enters our living. But brokenness doesn’t have the last word. Jesus does.
The Genesis of Christmas
To live with hope means trudging uphill against a strong headwind and over many obstacles. There is much in life that works against hope. In today’s message, Dr. John points to the hope of a Saviour found in Genesis 3:15. That promise is challenged again and again in the narrative of Genesis. The events of Genesis press against the hope of redemption. But with every twist, God repeats His promise. Nothing and no one could frustrate the promise of God. The hope of Christmas survived. The hope survives still.
Born His People to Deliver
The central celebrations of Jews and Christians are similar. Passover and Christmas have much in common. They both are national and family observances. They both require a lot of preparation. They both are about God’s deliverance for His people. In this message, Dr. John traces the details of the Passover and the fulfillment of those details in the birth of Jesus. Jesus has come as the ultimate Lamb without spot, who will save His people from their sins. Christmas is more than a sentimental tale of a baby born. It is the declaration of our deliverance.
Born to Save His People
Jesus said that the whole Old Testament spoke of Him. Jesus is in the pages and promises from Genesis to Malichi. So Christmas too is in the Old Testament, if even as a whisper. Today Dr. John looks at the Day of Atonement and points to the coming of our Saviour. There is an overlap of truth from Leviticus 16 and the Christmas account from John’s gospel. In both, we see the presence of God among us to bring redemption.
Born a Child and Yet a King
Many have their DNA tested to determine their heritage. They are interested to discover where they come from and connect the dots of ancestors. When Matthew begins his gospel with Jesus as the “Son of David”, it is not just for curiosity’s sake. It is a declaration of Kingship. In this message, Dr. John traces Jesus through the lineage of David to the promises of God. Jesus is the King whose reign is an unceasing exercise of righteousness and peace. His rule will bless the whole Earth. And it begins in Bethlehem.
Born to Rule in Us Forever
Faith is hard. Believing and trusting God consistently challenges us all. Those in faith may still have times of doubt. Those with no faith can’t see a reason to believe. In today’s message, Dr. John uses the example of King Ahaz and the sign promised by God as demonstration of God’s grace to help our faith. “The virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and he shall be called Emmanuel.” While King Ahaz refused the sign, Christmas proclaims to all today that our Saviour has come.
The Weary World Rejoices
The name “George” means farmer. “Sophia” means wisdom. Now, George may not grow up to till the land and Sophia may not exude wisdom. But Isaiah promises that the child to be born will fulfill the expectations of His name. Dr. John walks us through the promises of the Son who would be given. He will be wonderful, counsellor, the mighty God, everlasting Father and the prince of peace. Listen as Dr. John opens our understanding of the Names of Jesus and what they mean for us today.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Christmas cards tend to be idealic portrayals of peace and joy. But Jesus did not come to a Christmas card – He came to our world of shadows and danger. He came to a world where evil kings kill innocent infants. In this message, Dr. John demonstrates that God came to the real world – one where tears are shed. We are reminded that wickedness is real, pain is a human experience, but comfort and hope are the gifts of God. Light has shone in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
