Our Coming Christ

Our Coming Christ Reading, Praying, and Responding to the Incarnation and the Consummation

Christmas study

Our Coming Christ!

© Campus Outreach & Andrew knight Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All logos, icons, and images courtesy of Mysitemyway Design Team.

Diagrams by Andrew Knight

Contents The Keys to the Old Testament ...................................................2 What is the Incarnation? ..............................................................3 What is the Consummation? ........................................................4 How to use this Study? .................................................................5 Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 ...............................................................................6 Micah 5:1-5 ..................................................................................7 Isaiah 11:1-9 .................................................................................8 Luke 2:8-20 ..................................................................................9 Matthew 1:18-25 ........................................................................10 Luke 1:67-80 ..............................................................................11 Isaiah 53:1-12 .............................................................................12 Why the Incarnation? .................................................................13 How Empathetic is our Savior? ..................................................14 Christmas Symbolized ................................................................15 What is the Gospel? ....................................................................16 Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All logos, icons, and images courtesy of Mysitemyway Design Team.

Illustration by Dan Nuchols, used by permission.

Our Coming Christ!

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The Keys to the Old Testament JOHN 5:39-40 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”

LUKE 24:27, 44-45 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself...Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. ★ The goal of the entire Bible is made clear by Jesus’ rebuttal of the Pharisees interpretation of Scripture in John chapter 5. The Pharisees read their Old Testament as an end as opposed to a means. The Scriptures were not to be treated as the final target for the reader, but rather as an arrow pointing to the fuller and finished promise of the Bible. That new target, Jesus points out, is Himself. He is the subject and central figure of the Scriptures. The Pharisees were looking to gain life by obeying the Scripture, instead of looking to life in a Savior which the Scriptures point too. Jesus wants to get Old Testament readers to see their Savior through the lens of Scripture. They must come to Him to get eternal life. Scripture is of no value if it is not interpreted through the lens of the final, finished, and fullest Word of God expressed through the Son of God. ★ In Luke chapter 24 Jesus is interpreting the Old Testament to two individuals. But their minds had been darkened to the true meaning of the passage until Jesus opened their mind to the Scriptures. How did he unlock the Old Testament meaning? He gave them the key to its meaning, which was Himself. Jesus knew no real comprehension could take place apart from the readers seeing Him as the subject of the Old Testament books.

•How will these verses change the ways you “search the Scriptures?”

•In what other ways does the Old Testament point to Jesus?

• 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 • 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 • Acts 3:17-26 • Acts 10:43 Our Coming Christ!

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What is the Incarnation? ★ The incarnation refers to the first coming of God to earth in the person of Jesus Christ.

Incarnation literally means the embodiment and indwelling of God in human flesh. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of our God into our earthly story. We celebrate his living among us and his pursuit of us in relationship. In the incarnation see the saving purposes of our God (Luke 19:10) and we also see our God much more clearly (John 1:18). ★The incarnation also alludes to the first coming of God to save the world from sin through his life, but also his death. So, in Christmas, as much as we celebrate God among us we celebrate God sacrificed for us. Jesus’ very purpose in life was death. He was born to die.

Therefore, his life even foreshadows death. If his first coming was ultimately about death, then the manger scene must cause us to reflect upon the cross-scene. So, while Jesus’ life foreshadows death for him, his death foreshadows life for us. That is the very good gift of Christmas!

What do the following verses tell us about the incarnation?

• Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son... Hebrews 1:2-3

• No one has ever seen God; the only God, wbo is at the Father’s side, he has made him known John 1:18 • For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost Luke 19:10

• For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death by the flesh, but made alive in the spirit I Peter 3:18

Our Coming Christ!

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What is the Consummation? ★The consummation of the ages generally refers to the second coming of God to earth in Jesus Christ to judge the world and Satan, and to establish his kingdom on earth. All that Jesus accomplished in his first coming he looks to fully apply in his second coming. He will finally and fully do away with all sin, give us the complete and unhindered presence of God, wipe away all tears, and even give us new bodies! During Christmas we not only celebrate the first coming of Jesus, but we celebrate the fact that he will come again to resurrect us from this life and give us life with him for an eternity. While Jesus’ first coming is the bittersweet combination of life and death, his second coming is only marked by a living, conquering, and victorious king coming to celebrate with his family. In the second coming of God to earth he comes to ransom his children and rejoice with them over his new kingdom. ★There is no doubt whether this kingdom will exist or not. Jesus’ first coming has sealed the deal. His death has made certain his second coming. Jesus will return and for those who trust him to secure a reunited relationship with God will enjoy the benefits of His sacrifice.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

And you know the way to where I am going..” John 14:1-4

Questions to ponder 1) How did Jesus’ first coming secure the blessings that come with his second coming?

2) How did the finish of Jesus’ first coming ensure he would come again?

Our Coming Christ!

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How to use this Study? ★

Read

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Pray & Sing After reading take some time to reflect by praying and/or

As you read, take into account that each scripture passage points to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. But pay attention to how each passage points not just to his incarnational first coming, but to the fulfillment of what he will bring in His second coming. His first coming was necessary to fulfill the promises of what he is to usher in during His second coming or Consummation. Most people during Jesus‘ time were disappointed that their Messiah figure had failed to bring about the Old Testament promises when He died on the cross. But little did they know that His death and resurrection were crucial to making the Old Testament promises reality. What an unusual, yet brilliant way to win the world!

singing through the hymn below each passage. Hymns are meaningful prose with implicit or explicit scriptural overtones accompanied by music. The hymns are a great way to meet with God prayerfully and musically. Take time to read and grasp the meaning of each line and sing or pray through each hymn asking God to give you greater faith in what it is communicating. You can pray remembering the acronym A.C.T.S. Adoration - worship by enjoying God for what the hymn is communicating Confess - verbalize your sins that Jesus’ first coming came to eliminate Thanksgiving - be grateful for the gifts God has given expressed in the hymn Supplication - prayer is essentially asking God for help. Ask him to meet your requests

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Reflect

Take time to answer the reflection questions after each devotional.

They are meant to help you more deeply process the passage and its meaning. Look over any cross-references it provides and write down any questions you have as you process the scriptures.

It’s the time you can also look to add practical application of the verses to you life (S.P.E.C.S.) Sin to confess Promise to claim Example to follow Command to obey Savior to Trust

Our Coming Christ!

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Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Read 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Pray and Sing What Child is This What Child is this who, laid to rest On Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come peasant, king to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Raise, raise a song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Our Coming Christ!

Respond

In what ways does Jesus fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 9? Did he fulfill them in his first coming as most people expected? Or will he fulfill them most directly in the second coming?

What other cross references in the NT give the fullest expression to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?

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Micah 5:1-5 Read But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace.

Pray and Sing

Respond

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Look at John 10:11. What is one crucial step Jesus must take to fully shepherd his flock? Why is a shepherd the best illustration of this?

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head.

Now display Thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Our Coming Christ!

What is the most glorious truth about Christ expressed in the hymn to the left?

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place: Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.

Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man: O, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart.

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Isaiah 11:1-9 Read There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. 6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together;and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. 9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Pray and Sing

O Come all Ye Faithful O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

Respond Why is our Lord Jesus Christ worthy of our most solemn adoration?

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb; Son of the Father, begotten, not created; Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest; See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze; We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring, Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh; We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations.

What will the saints and hosts of heaven sing of Jesus in heaven?

Revelation 4:8-11 Revelation 5:6-14 Revelation 7:9-17

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, We would embrace Thee, with love and awe; Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?

Our Coming Christ!

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Luke 2:8-20 Read 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 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, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Pray and Sing A Babe is born in Bethlehem

Within a manger He doth lie, He doth lie, Whose throne is set above the sky. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Stillness was all the manger round, manger round, The creature its Creator found. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Respond What is the overall mood of all those who hear of Jesus’ birth?

The wise men came, led by the star, by the star, Gold, myrrh, and incense brought from far. Hallelujah! Hallelujah His mother is the virgin mild, virgin mild, And He the Father’s only Child. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

What does this communicate about the expectations for Jesus?

The serpent’s wound He beareth not, beareth not, Yet takes our blood, and shares our lot, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Our human flesh He enters in, enters in, But bears no single taint of sin. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

To fallen man Himself He bowed, self He bowed, That He might lift us up to God. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Make some observations about the gospel based on verses 10-11:

On this most blessèd Jubilee, Jubilee, All glory be, O God, to Thee. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

O Holy Three, we Thee adore, Thee adore, This day, henceforth, forevermore.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah

Our Coming Christ!

Why was it necessary for Jesus to be both divine and human?

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Matthew 1:18-25 Read 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Pray and Sing O Little town of Bethlehem

Respond

O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight

What is the apparent contradiction with regards to Jesus’ name in the passage above?

What do the two names mean?

For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in.

Our Coming Christ!

How are the two names supplemental to one another?

O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel

Look up the original Old Testament reference for Jesus’ name in Isaiah 7:14. Considering the context why might the name of Israel’s coming King be especially meaningful?

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Luke 1:67-80 Read 67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” 80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Pray and Sing Immanuel We Sing Thy Praise

Immanuel, we sing Thy praise; Thou Prince of Life, Thou Fount of Grace, With all Thy saints, Thee, Lord, we sing; Praise, honor, thanks, to Thee we bring.

E’er since the world began to be, How many a heart hath longed for Thee!

And Thou, O long expected guest, Hast come at last to make us blest!

Now art Thou here: we know Thee now: In lowly manger liest Thou: A Child, yet makest all things great; Poor, yet the earth Thy robe of state.

Now fearlessly I come to Thee: From sin and grief O set me free!

Turn wrath away, dread death destroy, And turn my sorrow into joy.

Thou art my Head, my Lord divine: I am Thy member, wholly Thine; And by Thy Spirit’s gracious power Will seek to serve Thee evermore.

Our Coming Christ!

Respond

Which Old Testament prophecies and verse references does Zechariah mention or allude to that Jesus‘ birth fulfills?

What observations does Zechariah make that shows his understanding that Jesus is the answer to all the Old Testament prophecies/ promises?

Which stanza best captures what is being communicated by Zachariah?

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Isaiah 53:1-12 Read Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one— to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Pray and Sing Jesus, Thank you

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend, The agonies of Calvary.

You, the Perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son, Drank the bitter cup reserved for me.

Your blood has washed away my sin, Jesus, thank You. The Father’s wrath completely satisfied, Jesus, thank You. Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table, Jesus, thank You.

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near, Your enemy made Your friend.

Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace, Your mercy and your kindness know no end.

Your blood has washed away my sin, Jesus, thank You. The Father’s wrath completely satisfied, Jesus, thank You. Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table, Jesus, thank You.

Our Coming Christ!

Respond According to the above passage, what event do you think it is referring to?

If you had sum up Jesus‘ role in one word what would it be and why?

Does knowing how Jesus’ life ends affect the way you think about and celebrate how his life begins? How?

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Why the Incarnation? in the Book of HEBREWS ★The incarnation exists for a number of reasons, but perhaps no greater a reason exists than a sympathetic, suffering, substitutionary Savior. The Bible is clear and replete with references that God became man to suffer for us (Hebrews 2:17-18), to sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15), to take our place (2 Corinthians 5:21), and to save us for an eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). And Salvation depended upon the incarnation. No incarnation (God indwelling flesh), no salvation. Salvation by God demanded that God himself become like us to win us.

There was no other way. Why was that? What does God’s salvation demand that the incarnation allows him to fulfill?

Hint: Look for how Jesus is a substitute in at least two main ways. First, that he is a living substitute in that he achieved through his life, what we could not achieve through ours = Perfection. Secondly, that he is a dying substitute in our place. He took our condemnation that was justly ours upon his own back = Punishment.

★For further study read the following chapters looking for the answer to these questions.

As you read the book of Hebrews make observations and examine cross-references that speak into the purposes of the incarnation. The verses above and those below are a good place to start: • Philippians 2:5-10 • 1 Peter 3:18 • 1 Timothy 2:5 • Romans 3:21-26 • Romans 5:12-21

Our Coming Christ!

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How Empathetic is our Savior? for further study: What has Jesus endured? ★ Jesus has become like us in more ways that at first recognizable. We do not have a God in the heavens who is removed, distant, and unsympathetic, but one who can relate and sympathize with our weakness. He is not a foreigner of our world, but a citizen of it for 33 years.

Jesus has entered our suffering existence and his life faced the school of hard knocks head on. He was not dicouraged or defeated but pressed on to the ultimate empathetic event - death: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” ★ Read the verses below to discover the depths of his relevance with us to win us! He is truly a Savior acquainted with our sorrows and griefs. He has endured all these things and more to liberate us from them in the life to come. ★ Jesus was...

• Homeless ( Luke 2:7, Matthew 8:20) • Endangered, on the run ( Matthew 2:13-14) • Mocked for illegitimacy (John 8:41) • from a dysfunctional family (lineage in Matthew 1:1-17) ‣ Tamar - incest (Genesis 38) ‣ Rahab - prostitution (Joshua 2 & 6) ‣ Ruth - widowed (Ruth) ‣ David - adultery (2 Samuel 11) ‣ Solomon - polygamist and idolater (1 Kings 11) • Stereotyped (John 1:46) • Misunderstood (John 1:10-11) • Forsaked by God, so we would never have to be (Matthew 27:46)

Our Coming Christ!

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Christmas Symbolized

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Xmas ★ Xmas has been commonly understood as the shorthand of Christmas. This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect.

When you see the word “Xmas” let is take you directly to Jesus. In conversations this season show others how Xmas is referring to him, not subtracting him from the equation whether they know it or not. It might be a good evangelistic conversation starter.

Christmas Trees ★ The first trees cut down and set up for decorating purposes were actually the product of pagan idol worship. They were a form of worshiping their gods. Many believe that Christmas trees are a modern form of this that the prophet Jeremiah hints at in 10:2-4, 2 Thus says the LORD: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, 3 for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. 4 They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move.” ★ It is not wrong to have traditions, but do not have mindless traditions. Take practices or traditions and fill them up with biblical meaning. Redeem secular practices and traditions and center them on Jesus and his birth and death. Take other Christmas traditions and identify how they can point you to Jesus: Gifts, Santa Claus, Carols... Below is just one way someone has taken a Christmas tradition and used it to remind them of Jesus!

Candy Canes ★ Candy canes have been around for centuries, but it wasn't until around 1900 that they were decorated with red stripes and bent into the shape of a cane. They were sometimes handed out during church services to keep the children quiet. One story, below, is just an example of how someone has looked to view and be reminded of Jesus during the Christmas season with candy canes: There are several symbols or forshadowings of Christ's love and sacrifice through the Candy Cane. First, a plain white peppermint stick. The color white symbolizes the purity and sinless nature of Jesus. Next, the red stripes could symbolize the pain inflicted upon Jesus before His death on the cross. Even a bold stripe to represent the blood Jesus shed for mankind. When looked at with the crook on top, it looks like a shepherd's staff because Jesus is the shepherd of man. If you turn it upside down, it becomes the letter J symbolizing the first letter in Jesus' name. This is one way to take a traditinoal Christmas treat and use it to reflect upon your Savior!

Our Coming Christ!

*some information adapted from http://wilstar.com

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What is the Gospel? ★ During Christmas we celebrate Christ’s life and death for us. We worship his life as the only life that fully demonstrated and met the standards that God demands (Matthew 5:48, Hebrews 4:15). Jesus was and is perfect and he accomplished and fully satisfied the sinless and sacrificial life that God the Father desired. Jesus met all of God’s demands perfectly. ★ But we not only worship his life, but we herald his death. Not only did Jesus accomplish the perfection that we are so desperately in need of, but he accomplished and satisfied the just punishment deserving us. We, not he, sinned and committed wicked deeds. Yet, God in Jesus Christ will lovingly and willingly let Jesus’ death upon the cross take your place. Jesus died so that you would not have to. ★ At Christmas, we realize that Jesus’ life achieved the perfect moral record that we could not. And at Christmas we realize that Jesus’ death satisfied the just punishment that we ourselves deserved. That transaction is the Gospel. Jesus’ life in place of ours. And Jesus’ death in place of ours. We give him our just punishment (Romans 3:23) and he gives us, in place of our wickedness, his hard earned righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). There is no better deal in the universe than this one! ★ Just don’t trust Jesus generally or vaguely, but trust him specifically. What are you trusting him for? Do you just believe that he exists or are you trusting him as a substitute? Are you trusting him to give his life to count for yours and his death to count for yours? If you are not, then you are not trusting the Gospel. ★ When we trust in Jesus we are trusting Him to fulfill 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Go to http://623project.com to understand and learn how to communicate the Gospel with others this Christmas!

Our Coming Christ!

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Christmas Study

Why did Jesus come & when will He come again?