Advent Means Love
Advent Means...

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So it’s Christmas and what is Christmas without children? I need some children up here on the stage with me. Can I get some children to come up and take a seat here on the floor? Tighten up because we have a lot of kids coming. Oh my goodness, so if you want, you two guys get right here next to me. Make room here. I love all of these reds and greens; we have these Christmas bows in the little girl’s hair and all of these Christmas sweaters. Beautiful children; handsome young men and beautiful little girls. Everybody’s looking great.

So, what are we expecting at Christmas? What is it that we’re looking forward to? What are you all thinking? Family? Ok, that’s a very thoughtful answer. You kids are the best. You’re better than the kids at first service already, I can tell. Are you looking forward to fun? Ok, we almost have a three point sermon. We have family and fun as things that we are looking forward to. What else? What else is exciting about Christmas? You’re thinking of Jesus’ birthday? That’s good. Santa’s coming? Is he going to bring presents? Finally, we get down to the “nitty gritty.” You kids are so “Christian;” you’re so spiritual.

Christmas is about the greatest gift of all. Some of you have already said it; it is the gift of Jesus. I have a gift right here. It’s wrapped a little differently; normally, our gifts are wrapped in paper, but this one is wrapped in cloth. Did you notice that ? You can look this up on the internet, because the internet knows everything, by the way. This comes from a Japanese art called “Furoshiki;” they don’t wrap in paper in Japan. They wrap in cloth. Now, Pastor Gary wrapped this, so it doesn’t look as cool as it does in Japan.

What do you think is in here? What have I wrapped up? Do you think it is a gift? Do you think it’s a book? Do you think it’s a bible? Do you think it is a toy? No, it’s not a billion dollars. We have some big dreamers over here. It’s a bible; inside this bible is the Christmas story. We want to “unwrap” the Christmas story.

Here’s what I want you to do. I want you to be really quiet and let me read to you the Christmas story and then I’m going to ask you some questions, ok? If you’re really good and you listen closely, pastor Jonathan is going to give you a little gift before you go to your seats. Is that a deal? Ok.

Luke 2:1-14 (ESV) 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to herfirstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

This is the Christmas story. Now, I wonder when you were listening to the story, did you hear a part that you had perhaps memorized this month? Did you all hear a memory verse, your “prove it” verse? Who knows their “prove it” verse for December? Who will start it? Go ahead. Luke 2:10-11, “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord.”

Now, when you were listening to the story, let’s see how closely you were listening. What was the name of the couple that had to go to the town of Bethlehem? Joseph and Mary. That’s right. Whenever they got to Bethlehem and the baby was born, what happened out in a field that night? Who was out in a field that night? The shepherds, that’s right. Then, who appeared to the shepherds? The angel, that’s right. You guys are incredibly intelligent. You’re amazing, every one of you. Now, did you notice anything about wrapping in cloth, wrapping the baby in swaddling clothes? Kind of like how I wrapped the Bible in the cloth. The greatest gift of all was wrapped up in swaddling clothes. The greatest gift of all is Who? Jesus. That’s right. You guys are awesome. If you’ll go that way, pastor Jonathan has a little something for you to take back to your seat for you to enjoy. Thank you for sharing this Christmas story with me. You guys are amazing. Merry Christmas .

The greatest gift of all is Jesus. The story of Jesus is wrapped up in this Christmas story. We often forget the real meaning of the Christmas story. The real meaning of the Christmas story is that Christ is the One who’s been given to us, as the prophet Isaiah declared centuries before His birth. The prophet Isaiah said, in Isaiah 9:6, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” As the children just quoted to us, the angels didn’t say “unto us.” What did they say? They said, in Luke 2:11, “Unto you is born this day.” Jesus is God’s gift of love to us… to you!’ This gift is for you.

How many of you have been shaking some gifts under the tree? You’ve been shaking some gifts whenever mom and dad aren’t looking or maybe when your husband is not looking. You are wondering what gift is inside. It’s not really your gift though, even if it has your name on it, until you open it and you receive it. If you open it, then it’s your gift.

That’s what it is to believe in Jesus. It’s to recognize a gift that’s been given, but it’s not really yours until you personally open it. This gift is a gift of love. The greatest verse that I can think of and we have this memory verse that hopefully a lot of people know, is John 3:16. How many of you know this verse? Let’s say it together, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. That’s right. That’s the verse where Jesus was talking to the Jewish teacher , Nicodemus; He was explaining to him about the greatest gift of all. This gift is a “gift within a gift within a gift.” Let me share with you what I’m talking about.

Have you ever received a gift, where you open it up, then there’s another box inside and you open that one and then there’s another box? I remember, when my wife Robin and I were first engaged and the first Christmas came, I gave her a gift like that, except she would open a box and it would have instructions inside – “now go to this room” and she would go there and there’d be another box and it would have instructions inside. I sent her all over the college campus. Finally, in the last box was a key. It was the key to the trunk of my old 1971 Toyota Corona, a real “beater” out there in the parking lot. She goes and opens the trunk of the car and there was the gift that I had given her. Sometimes, going on a little trail makes it more interesting.

That’s what I want to say to you about this greatest gift of all. It’s in John 3:16. As we read John 3:16, we find that the greatest gift of all is the gift of love, God’s love. “For God so loved the world that He gave…” This word, “love,” is the Greek word, “agape,” which means sacrificial love. It means the kind of love that gives. “For God so loved the world that He gave…” It’s the kind of love that gives. What did God give? He gave His Son to do what? To die. Kings are born in palaces, but lambs are born in stables. This Jesus came as the lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Make no mistake, the shadow of the cross overshadows the cradle. Christmas points to Easter. This is a relational kind of gift that He gave us. This love is expressed in how He so loves us – He stretched forth His arms and died on a cross for our sins.

After Christmas is the second busiest day for most retail stores. It’s where everyone takes their presents back and exchanges them. That’s why we leave the receipt in with the gift. But, the greatest exchange of all is not December 26th. It’s at the cross because, at the cross, Jesus offers His righteousness and takes upon our sin. That’s love. He offers His separation from the Father and says, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,” so that we can become one with the Father. So that we can be right with the Father. Then, He takes our death and he exchanges our death for His life and He gives us eternal life. Now, that’s love; that’s real love.

As we read in the scriptures, John 15:13 (NIV) “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” That’s the greatest love of all, to give your life for someone. That’s what the bible means when it says, “For God so loved the world that He gave…” What did we do with the gift? We crucified Him. He died in our place, so that’s the great exchange.

It says in Romans 5:8 (NIV) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s how much God loves us. He loves us this much. He loves us so much.

I wonder what’s inside this gift; it is “Lord.” “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son.” That’s the “gift within the gift.” It’s the gift of the Lord Jesus, His only begotten son. That word could be translated as “one of a kind,” “unique.” There is no one else like Him; He is one of a kind. This Jesus is the Son of God, yet He comes down and becomes one of us.

The apostle Paul writes to the church at Philippi; He says, in Philippians 2:6-7, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” One theologian says that the Son of God stepped down from the throne of heaven, He took off the insignia of His majesty, He climbed down the ladder of love and He became one of us. This is the incarnation gift. This is the gift that He is the Lord. Have you received His gift of love and within that gift, the Lord Jesus?” “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.” He is the Lord. That’s the “gift within a gift.”

Do you think that there’s anything else inside? Is there another gift inside this gift? Well, certainly there is, because it says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes on him should not perish but have eternal life.” Life. This eternal life is not just a quantity. What does eternal mean? It means forever, but it’s not just a quantity of life. It’s also a quality of life.

Jesus says in John 10:10 (NKJV) “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” This means “full and overflowing,” “life to the max.” Are you experiencing that kind of life this Christmas? Are you experiencing overflowing, abundant life?

When does eternal life begin, by the way? When does it begin? Does it begin after you die in the Lord and go to heaven? Is that when eternal life begins? No, it begins at the moment that you receive His gift of love; at the moment that you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. That’s when you receive eternal life. Eternal life starts at the very moment you open the gift; the gift is jesus. The gift is not a present. The gift is a person, Whose name is Jesus. He offers us eternal life, life overflowing.

Why aren’t you experiencing this gift of life? It’s either because you’ve never received Jesus or you have and you’re not depending on His life. You’re walking in your own power. I pray today that you would receive and open this gift; the greatest gift of all. It’s a “gift within a gift, within a gift” and having received it, that you would live according to it.

I wonder, is there anything else we might see? Is there another “gift within the gift within the gift?” Is that possible?There might be one more gift that we could talk about this morning. John also says in his gospel, John 1:4 (NKJV)” In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” Light.

John 1:1-5 (ESV) 1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” You see, this Jesus is the light of the world.

This morning, we light the Christ candle because He is the source of all light. He is the source of our peace, our hope, our joy and our love. It’s all from Christ. You see, by receiving Christ, you’ve received the greatest gift that God offers. It’s a gift of His love. It’s a gift of following Him as Lord. It’s the gift of eternal life. It’s the gift of having His light shining in our life so that those who walk in darkness, walk in darkness no more. So that we have the light to guide us.

Do you know Him today? Have you received Him as your Lord and Savior? You can do it right now. I’m going to pray for you right now and right where you’re seated. If you’ve never prayed this prayer before, it doesn’t matter how young or how old you are. All that really matters is, believing in your heart and what you are saying with your mouth, that Jesus is Lord and that you believe what the Bible says about Him.

Let me pray for you right now. Dear Lord Jesus. I pray, first of all, for that person that’s here today, young or old. Maybe they’re here or maybe they’re watching at home online. Lord, we pray, right now, with them. Would you pray with us, “Dear Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner, but I believe that You died on the cross for my sins, that You were raised from the grave and that You live today. I believe that. Now, I receive this gift of the Lord Jesus into my life and I accept Him as my Lord and Savior . Come into my life and give me this eternal life and forgiveness of sins. I will follow you forever in Jesus’ name.I’m praying that right now.” Others are here and you know Jesus. You’re a follower, but it’s been challenging this Christmas. There’s an empty seat at the table that wasn’t there last year. There’s some discouragement in your life. You’ve heard difficult news perhaps from the doctor. Maybe there’s some trouble with your finances or some other trouble. Maybe there is a broken relationship. Whatever it is right now, would you recognize that you can draw on this abundant life; this life full and overflowing. Dear beloved believer, right now, you can say, “Forgive me for focusing and forgetting on the wrong thing, for focusing on the darkness. Help me to walk in the light and the love of Jesus.” in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.