THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

GALATIANS 4

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

That night when in the Judean skies

The mystic star dispensed its light,

A blind man moved in his sleep-

And dreamed that he had sight!

 

That night when shepherds heard the song

Of hosts angelic choiring near,

A deaf man stirred in slumber’s spell-

And dreamed that he could hear!

 

That night when in the cattle stall

Slept child and mother cheek by jowl,

A cripple turned his twisted limbs-

And dreamed that he was whole!

 

That night when o’er the newborn babe

The tender Mary rose to lean,

A loathsome leper smiled in sleep-

And dreamed that he was clean!

 

That night when to the mother’s breast

The little King was held secure,

A harlot slept a happy sleep-

And dreamed that she was pure!

 

That night when in the manger lay

The sanctified who came to save,

A man moved in the sleep of death-

And dreamed there was no grave!

-unknown

 

I. CHRISTMAS MEANS GOD GAVE

1. God Saw the Need [4:3]

2. God Sent the Saviour [4:4]

3. God Satisfied the Demands [4:4-5]

 

II. CHRISTMAS MEANS CHRIST CAME

1. Christ Came to Justify to render (i.e. show or regard as just)

[2:16-17, 3:8, 11, 24, 5:4]

2. Christ Came to Redeem (to buy up, i.e. ransom) [3:13, 4:5]

3. Christ Came to Adopt (the placing as a son, i.e. adoption) [4:5]

 

III. CHRISTMAS MEANS PRESENTS

1. The Present of the Indwelling Spirit [3:1-5, 13-14]

2. The Present of the Blessings of Abraham [3:6-14]

3. The Present of the Adoptions of Sons [4:5-7, John 1:12]