Christmas time is almost upon us. I'm sure you've got all your shopping done, got all the plans made, ready to roll where the travel plans tickets bought, ready to go. You know sometimes though we can get wrapped up in the cultural norms in the holiday, and then we lose sight of what the focus ought to be on. I don't need to actually preach this morning what Christmas is truly about, because I think that you already know it. Even this lost world out there can reconcile this truth, that Christmas is about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. See, the focus for today's message is more on why we should celebrate it and the reasons for it. There seems to be a new push regarding Christmas, though, among believers. Not so much that the commercialism side of Christmas, but the fact of even celebrating Jesus's birth at all on December 25th or any other day. See, social media has enabled a lot of things, some for the better and some for the worst. I've even heard it been said that social media has not enabled the blind to see, but it has enabled the dumb to speak. See, some of the reasons cited is don't celebrate Christmas at all because Jesus's birth wasn't actually on December 25th. Moron that carries its pagan influence. Believers ought to not partake in pagan practice. Another objection is the Bible never actually tells us or commands us to celebrate his birth. Therefore, don't celebrate at all. Some of these objections, they do make a fair case. So let's discuss them. Number one, we understand very clearly that December 25th is not the official proven date of Jesus' birth. That date, though, was established around the fourth century, and there's been several theories about why that date, such as that conception, March 25th, he was conceived the same day that his death was, hence nine months later you get December 25th. Now all that can't necessarily be proven, But nevertheless, we know and it's very well established that December 25th is not the proven date. Two, those celebrating Christmas in the world are often influenced by the commercial side of things. But these things in the culture were brought up after establishing his birth as a celebration. You can celebrate Christmas wholeheartedly without allowing the commercialism to rule over you. All of those pagan origin arguments with Christmas being an alternative to the Roman festival Sol Invictus, they don't have enough data to support this anti-Christmas agenda being pushed. And third, to argue because it doesn't tell you to celebrate it is to commit a fallacy, argument from silence. I'm a guy that love public speaking, the public debate, but an argument from silence is the argument in which they're making. It can go both ways. It doesn't tell us to celebrate it, so therefore don't do it. The Bible also doesn't say not to celebrate it, so therefore we should do it. See, when it comes to this, though, a rule of thumb When it comes to following the Bible for your faith and practice, if you do not have a direct command to do something or not to do something, you then rely on scripture principle. You understand that? If you don't have a direct command, you rely upon scripture principle. Are there scripture principles in making a big deal about Jesus's birth? at Him, the Savior, coming into this world? I would argue absolutely. To start, Romans 14 has been one of my go-to passages to guide me in making decisions into things that are not directly commanded or not always black and white. Romans 14, 5 through 6 starts out, One man esteemeth one day above another. Another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord. Are you regarding December 25th as a day for the Lord to celebrate his birth? Then by all means, go for it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth thanks. And he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and he giveth thanks. Paul says this, that I know and am persuaded by the Lord, that Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself. So if you want to take a day and dedicate to the Lord, you are absolutely free in Christ to do so. But to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. See, you are free to celebrate Christmas. And you are also free to not celebrate Christmas. Isn't it nice to get that choice and freedom in Christ? You are free to do it and you are free not to do it. And if you're going to do that, then be convinced and know why you will, and vice versa, know why you won't. But nevertheless, do it as unto the Lord. Here's some more principles that I choose to celebrate with my family and even with my church family. Number one, his birth was indeed celebrated. Luke 2, 13-14, And suddenly there was with an angel of multitude in the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. See, this angelic host celebrated Jesus's birth with praise and setting an example for how we can respond to this momentous event. Celebrating Christmas allows God's people to join in that angelic chorus of glorifying our God for his gift of peace and his gift of salvation towards some men, towards all men. Number two, Christmas, it opens the opportunities to share the gospel. Luke 2, 17, 18 says, and when they had heard it, this is talking about the shepherds, they had made known abroad the sayings which was told of concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those sayings which were then told of them by the shepherds. See, the shepherds, they shared that good news of Jesus' birth with the others, leading to that amazement and the wonder. Celebrating Christmas provides an opportunity to proclaim the gospel and share the story of Jesus' birth with those who may not know Him. I've had at least three conversations this week with foreigners who did not associate Christmas with being Jesus' birth, and when I get to explain everything down, it just opened a new door and a light for them. I love this time because it gets to teach what Christmas is really about, the birth and coming of our Savior. Number three, it even gives us opportunity to teach future generations. Principle we find in Deuteronomy 4 and 9 says, only take heed to thyself and keep thy soul diligent, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of life. But teach them to thy sons and thy sons' sons. See, celebrating Jesus' birth is a way to teach children and future generations about the significance of the Incarnation and God's redemptive plan through His Son. Do we even have traditions to it? Through the giving The themes we find in Christmas that Christ is the light of the world, the star of Bethlehem and so on. The songs that we sing that praise God and the scriptures we read on these times. See, we pass on the truths of God's love and salvation and we try to restrict those and prohibit where the word of God gives freedom is what we call legalism. To try to make this a command was like, hey, don't do it and try to restrict where the Word of God gives freedom is what we call legalism. Colossians 2.16 says this, let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of what? And holy day where we get the word holiday or of the new moon or of the Sabbath days. So don't let people convince you that no, you can't celebrate Christmas because it's simply not true. And now that the sermon within the sermon is completed. Let's read our text this morning. My personal favorite passage when relating with Christmas. Galatians chapter four, verses one through seven. It says, now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, deferth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." It's Aramaic for daddy, personal and intimacy relationship. Wherefore, thou art no more a servant, but a son. And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Heavenly Father, we thank you for our time, and I thank you for our passage and the text, and knowing that your word is exalted. You even said in the Psalms, Lord, that you haven't even exalted your word, even above thine own name. So may we pay attention to it, Lord, and draw it out for what it says, and never to insert our own meanings into it. Lord, thank you for your kindness, thank you for your grace, and giving us all the means and reasons to give you worship. Lord, thank you for sending your Son for people like us. And it's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. It says here, number one, we find this passage that humanity desperately needed a Savior. Now I say that the heir, as long as he child, deferth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the Father. See, Paul uses this analogy of a child heir who technically owns that of an estate. But he has no authority to use it or even enjoy it until he comes of age. Under Roman culture, wealthy fathers would appoint a guardian or trustee to manage their children's inheritance until they've reached a point of maturity where the father would give it over. During this period, the child had no more rights than that of a slave or a servant. And in the Roman mindset, there was not actually even a specific age. America, we have 18 and then 21, all these different times. The Roman mind happened when the father thought that the boy was ready. The Galatian region, being a primarily Gentile region, they would certainly relate to and know exactly what Paul is talking about, about an heir. He takes this and he compares this to our spiritual state. that even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. Elements of the world is the word for elementary. Consider the ABCs, the systems of the world. Whatever if it was We were enslaved to it until something came and set it free. Before Christ came, humanity was like that child heir, enslaved under the law and unable to enjoy the fullness of God's promises. For the Jews, this meant being bound to that Mosaic law, which revealed sin, but it could not provide true freedom. The previous chapter in Galatians calls the law our schoolmaster. It was never meant to save you, but what it was meant to reveal that you needed a savior because you could not keep it. For Gentiles, they were enslaved to pagan religions or any other worldly system in addition of still being under God's curse of the law. And the Savior came, verse 4, at His perfect timing, to the fullness of time. But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of woman, made under the law. See, this phrase here emphasizes that God sent His Son, Jesus, at the perfect time in human history. It was neither random nor coincidental, but part of God's sovereign plan. See, if you look at the history behind when Jesus came and how it can make sense, the Roman Empire provided a very unique environment. There was a time what I'll call relative peace. that allowed for easy travel and communication. There wasn't war after war after war, because if you mess with Rome, you're probably going to be taken over by Rome, if they haven't taken over you already. There was also a common language being going around, Koine Greek, even a very well studied language today and well documented one. It was a widely spoken language and enabled that rapid spread of the gospel. Even our New Testament is written in this language. There was even a Jewish messianic expectation of him to be here. See, many of those Jews, they were eagerly awaiting for that Messiah. They thought Rome was their final straws, like we're finally gonna be delivered from this government and this oppression. And based on the Old Testament prophecies, they had many expectations that our Messiah was going to come. And to many of the Jews, they may have seen it as late. It's about time God sends his Messiah, especially with the many things that they had to endure throughout the centuries. Does God think the way we do? God does not think like we do. He calls it His perfect timing, the fullness of time. God sent His Son. I love that word sent. Jesus was sent. This shows that His birth, that I like to emphasize, is not when Jesus Christ came into existence. Christmas is not when Jesus came into existence, because Jesus is the second member of the eternal Godhead. John 1.14 starts with this, the Word, in the beginning, he says, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word, and that Word, the same One, the same One who all things come, and without Him nothing was ever made that was made. That word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him and cried, This was he of whom I spoke. He that cometh after me is preferred before me, for he was before me. It's really significant that John would say such a thing, because Jesus was born approximately six months after John the Baptist makes this, making it all significant. This is why we use that term, the incarnation, that God the Son adding humanity, not losing any divinity. Jesus never stopped being God, but he was born of woman. He wasn't a spirit or divine figure merely disappearing to be human, as many of the heresies came out later on that. He was born into the world just like we were, but not an ordinary birth. He fulfilled the prophecies of being born of a virgin. Isaiah 714, therefore the Lord himself shall give a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel, meaning God with us. He's literally God with us. And also his humanity it speaks of. His seed comes from his mother, the seed of a woman. Echoing the promise from Genesis 3.15 that the seed of the woman to crush the head of the serpent, which we know was Satan. See, we inherit our sinful flesh and our nature from our fathers, from our dads. Jesus not having an earth father means he would be born without a sin nature. So wives, I got good news for you. If you're ever wondering why your kids are doing the things that they do, why they just don't listen, why they just don't obey, blame the husband. It's the husband's fault. They inherit their sin nature from their daddies. Christ, being born of woman from his humanity, did not inherit a sin nature. He was also made under the law. Jesus was born into the Jewish covenant and he lived and he practiced the Mosaic law. But unlike the rest, unlike us, unlike the Jews of his time, unlike all of humanity, Jesus perfectly fulfilled that law and became the only one capable of redeeming those bound by it. Matthew 5, 17, think not that I come to destroy the law or abolish or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. Jesus fulfilled the law and fulfilled it perfectly. Third, we get to see God's gift to mankind. First, God's gift is the plan of redemption, to redeem that were under the law. Redeem is talking about a purchase, but not just a general purchase. It's a compound word consisting of ek, which means out of, and agarazol, which talks about a purchase or a buy. So literally implying that when this purchase was made, you belonged to something else. And he took you and purchased you and brought you out of it. We belonged under the curse of the law. We belonged under what Satan, our father at that time, had us would do. We belonged and were slave to the sin of this world. But Christ redeemed and purchased us out of that and gave us true freedom. 1 Corinthians 7.23 says this, ye are bought with a price. be you not the servants of men. And what kind of price were we bought with? Something of very, I don't even have words to describe it, of high, high value. 1 Peter 1, 18, 19 says this, for as much as you know that you were not redeemed, same word, to be bought out of with corruptible things, as silver and gold from your vain conversation recede by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ. as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." See, the blood of lamb represents Jesus' death. Jesus' death paid the price to free people from the power of sin and death and from the internal penalty of their sins. See, at that transaction, believers then were removed from Satan's kingdom and placed into Christ's kingdom. Christ was born with a purpose of setting people free. No longer under the curse of the law, but we stand under grace. Not only did he set you free when you trusted him to save you, he also adopted you as his own. His gift to mankind is also adoption, that we might receive the adoption of sons. This word adoption means to be granted full legal status as a child of God, with all rights and with all privileges. In Roman society, adoption was that legal process that granted the adoptee full rights of inheritance and familial belonging. If you were in a Roman culture adopted, you had the same exact privileges and same exact status as if you were one of the first born. In Christ, we have something way better. We are his sons. As his daughters, we have an inheritance. Jesus, the Son of God, became like us, lived a perfect life in fulfilling the law, and he laid down his life for us so that we could become the children of God. What greater gift to humanity is that? He also to give you his spirit, and because you are his sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his own son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son, and of a son, then an heir of God through Christ. His spirit in our hearts that confirms our sonship, that Holy Spirit within you confirms that you belong to God. We are his, and He is ours. You've been privileged to address your God as Heavenly Father, as so Christ taught you how to pray. Abba, Father, our Heavenly Daddy. See, this Christmas, if you belong to Christ, you have a lot to celebrate. He came at just the right time. His birth, His life led to the rest of all what we have in Christ. And if he didn't go to the cross, if he didn't rise again, then we'd really not have much reason to celebrate his birth. We'd just be celebrating another dead man's birthday. But our God defeated the grave. Three days and three nights later, he rose again, proving exactly who he claimed to be and securing our salvation. This ought to be our focus this coming of Christmas, of keeping Christ and Christmas and not adding more mass. Isaiah 42, 8. Another guiding principle as you celebrate this season says this, I am the Lord. That is my name. That word Lord is the same word Jehovah. Jesus means Jehovah Savior. That is my name and my glory will I not give to another. Neither my praise to graven images. So with that verse in mind, what are you gonna make Christmas about? How are you going to teach your kids? How are you going to teach this lost world? See, it's easy to love the baby in the manger. But do you love who that baby grew up to be? See, I'd love to see those who don't know him as Savior get saved this season. That'd be worth celebrating too. And easy to remember. When were you saved? Around Christmas time. See, if the Lord grants it, I have a lot of years left here. I, for one, will use these seasons to point my family, to point my church, and to point people to Jesus this season, not to anything else. So Lighthouse Baptist Church, Merry Christmas. Heavenly Father, we thank you for our texts that we have, Lord, and for all the reasons we can have to celebrate, Lord. It's not just simple of the Savior coming into this world, but all the significance and why he came, Lord. from the cradle and to the cross, Lord, all of it fits. He came with that purpose to give his life as a ransom for us all here. And so we thank you for that greatest gift that you have given us, Lord, and may we take these principles and teach it why we should also be givers ourselves. So Lord, we thank you for such a great salvation and making it possible only through your son. And this wonderful event, Lord, from many years ago still has such impact and power on this world. And may we be used by you, Lord, as light to this world to teach people, Lord, to show them the love of Christ and knowing that your love really knows no bounds, Lord, and that's what we can remember this Christmas. Lord, your faithfulness and your love knows no bounds, Lord. We love you and we thank you for this time we get to celebrate as we move into our invitation, Lord, and move into our last song of praise as we get to celebrate this season. We ask all these things in Jesus' name, amen. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. That last scripture, the Lord said, I am the Lord, that is my name. My glory will I not give to another. You know, people sometimes call us legalists. It's not legal to take a scripture like that and obey what it says in plain English. Jesus doesn't share his glory. There's two occasions that have more glory attached to it than any other I know of. What are the angels? So we talked about this in Bible class this morning, the multitude of the heavenly host, the sky filled with angelic beings, all with one message. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill to men. We don't celebrate Christmas with Santa and we don't celebrate the resurrection with the bunny and eggs because we're not going to let some kind of made up anything take the glory that belongs only to Jesus, only to Jesus and give it to another. That's not who we are. Our purpose is given to us as purpose of the church. Unto him be glory in the church throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Oh, it's just a kid thing. No, it's not. It's a glory thing. Jesus is it. Nobody else gets his glory. it be about the manger or whether it be about the cross. Jesus is number one. Is he your number one? Amen. Well, let's give him the glory that he and he only deserves.