THESIS: To show the eternal significance of the birth of our Savior and its impact upon the world.
INTRO.:
A. On “the night before Christmas…” many mythical, mystical, and magical things are supposed to take place: 👇👇👇 - a mythical fat man slides down skinny chimneys - without ever getting dirty - a magical flying sleigh & 9 reindeer (!) [don’t forget Rudloph!] delivers a mountain of toys worldwide to “good” boys and girls (& coal to those not-so-good!) - a mystical red & white clothed “jolly old elf” consumes enough cookies and milk in a single night to feed an entire nation - boys and girls go to bed and have “visions of sugar plums” (?) dancing in their heads - a bearded stranger invades every household on the planet (presumably except for Muslims, Shintoists, and nations with non-Christian religious traditions!) – in one night!
B. But this is all myth and fairy tale. Instead of the far-fetched “night before Christmas…” lets instead examine some of the realities of “THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!”It wasn’t about Santa and toys, it was about a Savior and sin…
TRANS.:“TWAS THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS…” and all through Bethlehem the excitement was in the air. The “…shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told to them” (v.20) by the angelic host… (I think we would all have been pretty “shook up” after seeing this display!)
I. THE MESSIAH OF ISRAEL HAD ARRIVED:
A. The Ancient Prophecies Had Been Fulfilled:
1. A virgin had conceived!
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
2. A “woman (had compassed) a man.”
Jeremiah 31:22b …for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
II. THE PRINCE OF PEACE HAD COME: (see Is. 9:6 above)
A. The heavenly host proclaimed it: v.14
1. At no time in human history, since Eden had there been a promise of “peace on earth”.
ILLUS.: 🖤At any given time on the planet there are a dozen or more wars taking place. 🖤Human history began with bloodshed in the first “mini-war” between two brothers – Cain & Abel – and 🖤blood continues to be shed daily in Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, 🖤on the streets of our cities, in our schools, etc. to the present. It doesn’t matter who’s in the White House, or who’s in your house – until the Prince of Peace actually reigns, there will be no “peace on earth.”
2. Had Israel accepted their Prince, peace would have prevailed; the Kingdom of “peace and safety” would have been initiated.
ILLUS.: We are told to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem…” but we know that no real, lasting peace will come to them or us until our Savior reigns.
III. THE KING OF KINGS MADE HIS DEBUT:
Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
A. The Wise Men Came Seeking Him:
1. When He does appear as “King of kings” and “Lord of lords” it will be a terrifying appearance indeed.
Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
IV. THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD WAS PRESENTED:
A. This Was The Angelic Announcement:
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
1. Perhaps greater news than that of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, or the King of kings, was the message of a Savior for the world of sinners. 2. It wasn’t the “day after Christmas” but eight days after Christmas when Simeon the priest announced…
Luke 2:29-32 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
V. THE LORD OF GLORY HAD BECOME FLESH:
A. The Name Emmanuel Exceeds All Other Names:
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
CONCL.:“THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS…” is far more important than the traditional “NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS!”
💥The reasons are that 1️⃣The Messiah of Israel, 2️⃣The 3️⃣Prince of Peace, 4️⃣The King of Kings, 5️⃣The Savior of the World, and 6️⃣The Lord of Glory has come!