Well, it’s December already, Christmas is just a few weeks away. Cards are being sent, gifts are being purchased, Christmas trees are being decorated and lights are going up on stores and houses. There are cookies to bake, parties to attend and the list could go on and on. December goes by in a flurry, so much to do, so little time to even sit down and think. Little time to reflect on what it’s all about, what is the True Meaning of Christmas. So in the midst of the hustle and bustle, in the midst of hitting the malls and decking the halls, we’re going to take some time in the month of December to think about The True Meaning of Christmas.
The true meaning of Christmas is centered in the person of Jesus born as a baby. NLT Isaiah 9:6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Each title represents one aspect of Jesus Christ: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
Today we’re going to look at Jesus as Mighty God and I’ve entitled today’s message “Jesus: The Power of God.” Look back at that first Christmas night some 2000 years ago. The Bible tells us in Luke 2 that there were shepherds watching their flocks that night. Perhaps one shepherd was on watch and the others sleeping. Suddenly an angel appeared in blazing brilliance, waking them all.
We tend to think of angels as nice little cupids but in the Bible anyone who ever sees one is terrified. Angels are incredibly powerful and awesome creatures. Angels have learned that the first thing to say to people is “Do not be afraid.” NIV Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Why were these angels so excited about the birth of Jesus? Those angels knew Jesus, He had lived with them in heaven before His birth on earth. Those angels knew the power of Jesus, He had far greater power than they.
That baby was Jesus who had created the universe and sustains it. NLT Hebrews 1:2-3 Through the Son he [God] made the universe and everything in it. [The Son] sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. Now at the birth of Jesus, the power of God was breaking into human history in the form of a baby. The power to bring about change, to bring peace, to give hope was present in that tiny baby. For you see, the baby Jesus was God Himself becoming human, fully God yet fully man. That’s what the angels were excited about.
Many people think that Jesus was just a good teacher, but Jesus did not leave that option open. If you are a rational person and you examine the historical record, you cannot come to that conclusion. Jesus said and did too many crazy things if He was not God. He forgave sins, He welcomed worship, He claimed to be God, He promised to rise from the dead, He claimed to have been alive 2000 years previously and the list goes on and on. Besides His words, He backed up His claims with miracles of many kinds and ultimately rose from the dead.
If Jesus is indeed God, which He is, then that fact of monumental consequences for us. It means that the power of God has come to our world in the person of Jesus. We need God’s power to live in today’s complex hostile world. God’s power gives us hope that things can change both in our lives and in the lives of those around us. This Christmas, how can you tap into the power of Jesus to bring about change in your life?
To hear more about this topic, listen to my December 4, 2005 message entitled Jesus – The Power of God