The Greatest Gift

Sermon Series: Preparing for Christmas

 So here’s the question that we are going to begin with this week, “Have you ever received a gift for Christmas that was so great and so awesome that the next Christmas you didn’t want any other gift? Have you ever received a gift that was so great that you couldn’t only rejoice in it when you received it, but the next year you were still so excited about it that you just had to rejoice in it some more?” My guess is that most of us probably haven’t ever received a gift that would fall into a category like that. In fact, our culture seems to condition us to believe that there is always something better coming. So our usual response is to rejoice in something for a season but to understand that that thing isn’t the best thing. Instead, we begin to look to the future for the next, newer, and more improved version. Perhaps the greatest example of this in our time is our culture’s obsession with the iPhone. When the iPhone first came out people were quick to acknowledge how remarkable it was. But it wasn’t long before a second generation iPhone was created – the iPhone 2. A little while later rumors started swirling on the internet that Apple was working on and planning to release an even newer model – the iPhone 3. And the pattern has simply continued. Today the latest and greatest version of the iPhone is the 5th generation iPhone – the iPhone 5.

With that example in mind, let’s make a few important observations about our culture today. Advertisers have noticed and even recently started to play-off of our culture’s (1) anticipation for new products, (2) our short-lived satisfaction with those new things, and (3) our view of older things as out-dated and less valuable. Think about this in terms of the iPhone again. When a new version of the iPhone comes out people will literally camp out in line in front of an Apple store, in front of an AT&T store, or in front of a Verizon store so that they can be the first to get their hands on the newest technology. They anticipate the ‘greatness’ of the new iPhone and how it is going to revolutionize their lives. But at the same time that they are camping out and standing in line they also realize that the ‘greatness’ of this newest iPhone is only going to last for a season. The fully expect Apple to develop and release an even better iPhone in the months to come. So they will celebrate the newest iPhone for a few weeks or months, but then they will begin to look forward to and anticipate an even better iPhone. Additionally, if you were to ask one of those individuals who was so excited about the first iPhone when it originally came out what they thought about that iPhone now, they may speak positively about the advancements it introduced into smart phone technology, but most would never imagine making a big deal of it now, or even trading in their new iPhone 5 for the original iPhone.

This type of thinking isn’t just reserved for the iPhone. We tend to think the same way about televisions, cars (isn’t this why leasing is such a popular option for dealerships and buyers?), computers and tablets, and even shoes. And this way of thinking has even seeped into the way we think about Christmas and the Christmas gifts that we receive. When we receive a Christmas gift we usually do so with great excitement – we’re excited to have possession of something new and something cool. Then for several weeks (perhaps even several months) we rejoice in the gift that we received. But by November of the next year the novelty of the gift has worn off and we begin to think about and ponder what kind of new thing we want for Christmas this year. We aren’t still rejoicing in last year’s gift; we aren’t still celebrating last year’s gift; and (if most of us are honest) we would even be disappointed if we didn’t get something new for Christmas this year. The stuff in the past was good for a season (maybe even good enough to celebrate), but surely there is something newer, something better, something even more amazing now, so we spend our time looking for and attempting to acquire the next great thing. And what I want to argue this morning is that this is an incredibly dangerous way of thinking and has probably had a far more negative impact on the way we think about Christmas than we realize.

Here’s what I’m afraid has subconsciously happened in the hearts and minds of many concerning Christmas and our celebration of the birth of Jesus. I think most Americans have the understanding that Christmas is in some way connected to Christianity and to Jesus. The really sharp ones may even be able to articulate the fact that Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of Jesus. But let’s be honest - many of us have a difficult time really getting excited about celebrating the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born over 2000 years ago. He came at a time when there wasn’t computer technology, when there weren’t smart phones, and when there wasn’t even running water. So while His birth may have been worth celebrating 2000 years ago, there are far better things to get excited about and to celebrate today. A new iPhone can surf the web up to 5 times faster than any other smart phone, and do it while you are talking! A new iPhone can instantly post your pictures to instagram while Siri uses GPS technology to guide you to your next location. From your new iPhone you can set the thermostat and the alarm system at your house, you can Skype face-to-face with a friend half way around the world, and then you can read the latest NY Times bestseller. How can some guy born 2000 years ago compare to that? So we remember that Christmas, as a holiday, has its origins as a celebration of the birth of Jesus, but at the same time we believe that now there are better things that we can celebrate and get excited about.

When we forget that Jesus is a gift to us and forget how extraordinary of a gift Jesus is, then Jesus loses some of His significance in our eyes and we place greater significance on other things. Believers in Christ must remember why Jesus is such an extraordinary gift, and those who are not followers of Christ need to be told why Jesus is such an extraordinary gift. When we recognize that Jesus is the greatest gift ever given and that there is nothing that compares to Him, even the best gifts we get from year to year won’t be able to distract us from worshipping and celebrating Jesus’ birth.

So let’s look at a few different verses this week and make a case for why no gift can ever compare in greatness to the gift of Jesus, and why He is the one gift we ought to be celebrating the most each and every year.

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

“. . . an angel of the Lord appeared to him [Joseph] in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:20-23)

The OT prophet Isaiah prophesied that God would send a Rescuer and that His name would be called Immanuel. Then several hundred years later an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to a man named Joseph who was pledged to be married to a virgin girl named Mary (who had inexplicably become pregnant). The angel explained that Mary had not committed adultery, that the Holy Spirit had caused Mary to conceive, that Joseph was still to take Mary to be his wife, and that Joseph was to name the child Jesus. Then the angel quoted Isaiah’s prophecy, as a means of helping Joseph understand that what was taking place in Mary was the fulfillment of a prophecy that had been made hundreds of years ago. What I want to focus on and emphasize this week though is what the prophet, Isaiah, and what the angel said this individual would be called. This child was going to be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Ladies and gentlemen, this isn’t a big deal – this is a HUGE deal!

Let me ask you this question, “What is greater than God?” (Take a minute to think about it if you need to because this is a really important question.) Is a 72” high definition television better than God? Is a new SUV, muscle car, or luxury sedan better than God? Are season tickets to your favorite sports team better than God? Is a full day of pampering at a 5-star spa better than God? Is a two week vacation to an all-inclusive tropical resort better than God? Is an iPhone 5 with unlimited talk, text, and data better than God? Is a mansion in heaven sitting on the edge of a crystal sea better than God? The answer to each and every one of these questions is ‘no’ because there isn’t anything that is better than God – not one thing. God surpasses all things in beauty, glory, splendor, might, power, wisdom, and majesty. With nothing more than His words God spoke everything that is into existence, and by His wisdom and might He continues to sustain all things. The beauty we see in creation is simply a glimpse of God’s own beauty and creativity. Even the great power we see on display in nature (things like hurricanes, floods, tornados, etc.) is only momentary and fleeting. Hurricanes, storms, tornados, and earthquakes all die out and lose their power, but God’s power is eternal. So think about that thing (whatever that thing is) that you really want; that thing that you think would be great to have; that thing that you believe would be the greatest gift you could receive this Christmas – and then hold it up next to God. Which has more power and might? Which has more wisdom and knowledge? Which has more splendor and glory? Which one has eternal value and worth? Which one really has the ability to transform and revolutionize your life?

God is the greatest thing we can possess; He’s the greatest treasure that we can have. And the story of the Bible tells us that when mankind was first created God’s design and plan was that we would live in relationship with Him. We were God’s own unique creation, we were created righteous like Him, and He delighted in the worship that His creation offered to Him. In the garden where God placed Adam and Eve they had unhindered and unbroken fellowship with God. But then something changed. (We talked about that last week.) Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan and made a choice to eat from the one tree that God had not given them permission to eat from (see Genesis 3). They acted in disobedience and sin entered the world. As a result of their sin Adam and Eve lost their greatest possession – they lost God! God sent them out of His presence and He sent them out of the garden, and there was nothing that either of them could do about it. They could not go back and undo their sin. Nor was there anything they could do to cover over their sin. Sin had marred and stained their lives and there was no way for man to get back to God.

The unbelievable reality of Christmas is this though – while we couldn’t get back to God, God came to us and gave Himself to us! Let’s look at a few other verses that help shed some light on what the name Immanuel is all about.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-2,14)

As Jesus’ most beloved disciple began his gospel account he did so in a much different way than either Matthew or Luke did. John began his gospel account by providing his readers with insight into Jesus’ identity. John tells us that before He took on flesh and was born to Joseph and Mary, Jesus had always been in existence. His name had not always been Jesus (before taking on flesh and coming to earth he was known as the Word). John begins his gospel account telling us that the Word had existed for all eternity, that He had existed with and in the presence of God, and that the Word was in fact God. Then a few verses later John makes a most remarkable statement – he says that the divine Word that had existed with God the Father for all eternity became flesh and dwelt among us. In other words the eternal God took flesh upon Himself and came to earth to dwell among his creation. This is a huge deal! In the birth of Jesus God gave us much more than a cute little baby; He gave us much more than a great moral teacher; He gave us more than a good man and a good leader. In the birth of Jesus God put flesh on, He came to those who were incapable of coming to Him, and He offered back to us the greatest thing we could ever possess but which we had lost – God have us Himself!

The gift of Jesus is such an extraordinary gift that we have to be careful not to think about Him in the same manner that we do other gifts today. Even though Jesus was born over 2000 years ago, we can’t think of Him as out-dated or no longer significant. Neither can we look at Jesus as something that was valuable for a season, but has been surpassed by other, more impressive things. Nor can we anticipate a new, more improved Savior to be forthcoming, as if God has critically evaluated Jesus, seen some areas where improvement could be made, and is in the process of correcting and improving those things. When we celebrate Jesus’ birth we celebrate the gift of the greatest gift that has ever been given. It is the only gift that surpasses everything that has ever been and that ever will be, and the only gift that can completely satisfy your soul today, tomorrow, and for the months and years to come.

What is it that is taking your eyes off of this truth this Christmas season? What is it that is keeping you from remembering the unbelievable gift of Jesus right now? Are you anticipating a great gift this year? Is there a package under the tree that you’re looking forward to ripping open and celebrating? One that you think will change your life (at least for the next few weeks or so)? Perhaps you need to hold that thing up next to God now, before you receive the gift and open it up. Maybe you need to see it in the light of God’s glory, and splendor, and majesty. And maybe as your doing that you’ll be drawn again to God and you’ll be moved to rejoice in the greatest gift that has been given to you – one that was delivered 2000 years ago – Jesus.

Connection Point Questions for Discussion:

1. Have you ever lost something of great monetary or sentimental value, and if so what was it?  How did you feel when you lost that thing?  Was there anything you could do to get it back or replace it?  Imagine for a moment that there was nothing you could do to get it back / replace it, how would you feel then?  How would you feel if there was one who could get it back and who made a promise to you to get it back?  How would you feel if he really did it?

2. When our Christmas gets so busy with other 'things' that God's promise and His fulfillment of that promise play a very little part in our celebration, what does that communicate about the promise and its fulfillment (or about how much we value them)?  What can we do to help us remember the promise and the fulfillment of that promise more this Christmas?

3. Have you ever found yourself loving/enjoying a gift for a season, but then wanting or pursuing the next, more improved thing a little while later?  What was the original thing and what was the newer, more improved thing you wanted?  Why did you want the newer thing in place of the original gift?

4. Why is Jesus the greatest gift that has ever been given?  Why do we sometimes forget that during a season when we are supposed to be celebrating His birth?  How can we do a better job of emphasizing the greatness of the gift of Jesus this Christmas season?