Sermon For Christmas


SERMON FOR THE NATIVITY 


Imagine being visited by somebody who comes from another world. Do we find the idea agreeable? Or disagreeable? It depends. It depends on which movie you happen to be watching. The 1951 production, “Thing From Another World,”  will leave you feeling rather apprehensive. The visitor in that film poses a serious threat to the population. We would prefer to be spared from that kind of a visit. On the other hand, we’ll be less apprehensive if it’s somebody like E.T.  He comes in peace. E.T. is more of a friend than a threat. So, because we’re familiar with the 1982 film, we will welcome a visit from E.T.  We know that it will be a happy experience for us. 


However, why settle for “happy?” We’re being treated to a certifiably joyful experience as we make the transition from Advent to Christmas. Previously, we were singing “O Come O Come Emmanuel.”  Today, we’re singing “Joy To The World.”  Why should we expect the world to rejoice? It has to do with the fact that Jesus belongs to a world beyond our own world. Yes, E.T. befriends us. Yes, he charms us. But then he departs. He’s been looking for a way to “phone home.”   Now the time has come for E.T. to actually “go home.”  


Therefore, he goes. Meanwhile, we’re left behind. What can we say about our status? It’s essentially unchanged. What can we say about our destiny? It’s essentially unchanged. We’ve been charmed—and that’s about it. The visit rates as a happy experience. But it falls short of being a truly joyful experience. That’s why we need to train our focus upon that other visitor: the Visitor who comes to us from Heaven. First of all, should we even refer to it as a “visit?”  It will be revealed as so much more than just a visit. 


A bond is being established. Jesus is literally sharing his nature with us. Think about your destiny, and how it’s being transformed. You’re being blessed with a new classification of citizenship (Phil. 3:20). Jesus shares both his nature and his world with us. The one world is being touched [enhanced] by the other world. For our part, how can we keep from singing? Not only do we sing, but we sing specifically about the subject of JOY. Joy is being brought into our world. It’s being imported, if you will. Lay claim to the joy. Don’t settle for anything less. 

 

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