***Luke 2: 8-14

We will be looking at the words associated with the Christmas Holidays in the entire month of December.

#1) Christmas is all about Jesus. The birth of Christ is one if not the most celebrated Holiday in the United States and the rest of the free world.

#2) Christmas is all about a "Savior". God manifested in the flesh through His Son Jesus Christ.

#3) Christmas is all about "The Good News". And it brings forth Joy, look at verse 10. "And the angel said unto them fear not: For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people".

A.     Because of the Good News (The Gospel) we can say to the lost "fear not". For He has come to save the lost.

B.     Because of the Good News we can say to the sick "fear not". For He heals the sick.

C.     Because Jesus is the reason for the season we can say "fear not"... "I bring you good tidings of great joy".

#4) Christmas is about the "Glory Of God. (Verse 9), "The Glory of the Lord shone around them"..and the angels sang "Glory to God in the highest".

A.     Glory is one of the richest terms in the Bible. It usually refers to the visible manifestation of God in power. The Glory Of God was a visible manifestation of the invisible but powerful God.

B.     We see the Glory of God in the exodus experience. How God revealed Himself to Israel as a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day to lead them, (Ex. 13:21).

C.     John 1:14 says that; "We have beheld His Glory, Glory as of the only son from the father".

D.     In the birth of Jesus we have experienced the "Glory Of God". Jesus is the Glory of God that was manifested in the flesh just as the Church is the Glory of Jesus. After all, The Church is "the body of Christ".

E.      We are encouraged to Glorify God. Romans 15: 16 says; "That you may with one mind and one mouth Glorify God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ". Look at verses 13 and 14. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying; Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men".

           There are many different ways that we can Glorify God this

           Christmas;

1.      By sharing the "Good news"(The Gospel).

         2.   By letting everyone know that Christmas is more than pine 

               trees and Christmas Carols. It's about a Savior.

         3.    It's not about an old man in a white beard but about Jesus.

4.      . It's not about receiving gifts that are wrapped in beautiful paper. But

        about Receiving the best gift of all, Gods only Son.