The Challenges of Preaching Christ at Christmas

The Challenges of Preaching Christ at Christmas

The Challenges of Preaching Christ at Christmas 1. Putting Christ back into “Xmas”

“The Challenges of Preaching Christ at Christmas" 1. Putting Christ back into “Xmas” 2. Separating fact from tradition

“The Challenges of Preaching Christ at Christmas" 1. Putting Christ back into “Xmas” 2. Separating fact from tradition 3. Utilising all the Biblical materials on Christmas

“The Challenges of Preaching Christ at Christmas" 3. Utilising all the Biblical Materials “A Whole Bunch of Dead Folks for Christmas!” (1 Chronicles 9)

The Challenges of Preaching Christ at Christmas – 4. Connecting the Crib to the Cross

“The Challenges of Preaching Christ at Christmas" 1. 2. 3. 4. Putting Christ back into “Xmas” Separating fact from tradition Utilising all the Biblical materials on Christmas Connecting the crib to the cross

Two birth announcements (Luke 1: 5 -25 & 26 -38) Class exercise: compare and contrast the two stories • what are the points of similarity? • what are the points of contrast? • what Lukan themes do these incidents anticipate? • how and what would you preach from this – to a church audience? – to an “unchurched” audience?

Two birth announcements (Luke 1: 5 -38) Similarities • the angel Gabriel sent by God • fear → “Do not be afraid” • the promise of a son • a “miracle” birth • the child named • future greatness predicted • blessing for Israel

Two birth announcements (Luke 1: 5 -38) Contrasts to Zechariah (verses 5 -25) to Mary (verses 26 -38) an old priest a young woman in the temple at home answered prayer unexpected a birth in old age a virgin birth “How can I be sure of this? ” “How will this be. . . ? ” Yet God’s promises are fulfilled in both cases!

The birth of Jesus (Luke 2: 1 -7) And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. (Luke 2: 7, NIV 1988) καταλυμα kataluma He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. (Luke 10: 34) πανδοχειον pandocheion

The birth of Jesus (Luke 2: 1 -7) He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? ' He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there. " (Luke 22: 10 -12) καταλυμα kataluma and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2: 7 – NIV 2011) καταλυμα kataluma

The birth of Jesus (Luke 2: 1 -7) To turn away a descendant of David in the “City of David” would be an unspeakable shame on the entire village.

The birth of Jesus (Luke 2: 1 -7) Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E Bailey

The birth of Jesus (Luke 2: 1 -7) • he is born in a humble home • identifying with the ordinary people • a sign of his condescension "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant… He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. ” (Mary - Luke 1: 46 -48, 52)

Luke’s theme Jesus: the Saviour of the world • • • Jews - and Gentiles men – and women high – and low rich – and poor good - and bad

Group Exercise 1: Luke 2: 8 -20 1. This nativity story is unique to Luke’s Gospel. How does it highlight and reinforce Luke’s main purpose and theme in writing his Gospel? 2. This is the third appearance of an angel in Luke’s account (see Luke 1: 5 ff. & 1: 26 ff). What is the significance of these appearances (and others in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament)? 3. How might the perception of shepherds in our own culture influence (and mislead? ) us in our understanding of the shepherds from this story in 1 st century Palestinian culture? 4. How does the reaction of the shepherds and of Mary to this incident anticipate and prepare for the events that follow in Luke’s Gospel? 5. This is one of the best known stories in the Bible. How might you introduce and preach it in such a way that breaks through the traditional images and brings home Luke’s message with fresh impact? Can you suggest an appropriate title?

Good News for Bad People (Luke 2: 8 -20 1. An unexpected surprise An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. ” (Luke 2: 9 -10) 2. An unusual sign “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. " (Luke 2: 12) 3. An unbelievable story When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2: 17 -18)

The Christmas Message (Luke 2: 10) • good news • great joy • for all people

The Baby Born in Bethlehem (Luke 2: 11) • Saviour • Christ • Lord

What to do at Christmas (Luke 2: 8 -20) 1. Go and see 2. Go and tell

The genealogy of Jesus: Matthew 1: 1 -17 1. Why does Matthew begin his gospel with this genealogy? 2. How does it compare and contrast with the genealogy in Luke’s Gospel? (Luke 3: 23 -38) 3. Are there any surprising people listed here? What does their inclusion signify? 4. From what other passages in Scripture might you make connections with this passage? 5. How might you introduce a sermon on this passage to demonstrate its relevance to your hearers? Can you suggest a good title?

1. Why does Matthew begin his gospel with this genealogy? A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: a Gospel for Jews Jesus Christ is • “the son of David” - the greatest king of Israel • “the son of Abraham” – the founding father of Israel

2. How does it compare and contrast with the genealogy in Luke’s Gospel? (Luke 3: 23 -38) Matthew: • written for Jews • from Abraham onwards Luke: • written for Gentiles/Greeks • back to Adam “the son of God”

3. Are there any surprising people listed here? What does their inclusion signify? 1. Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, . (verse 3) See Genesis 38 2. Salmon, the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, (verse 5 a) See Joshua 2 & 6 3. Boaz, the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, (verse 5 b) See the Book of Ruth 4. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife. , . . . (verse 6) See 2 Samuel 11 -12

4. What does their inclusion signify? • men – and women • Jews – and Gentiles • saints – and sinners are included in the line of Christ

3. Are there any surprising people listed here? What does their inclusion signify? With such a list, Matthew gives us a clue about the kinds of people that the Messiah came to save. He was to be a Saviour for women and men who were both saints and sinners, Jews and Gentiles. This genealogy is truly comprehensive. Many can look at the stories of these women and find some reflection of themselves.

4. From what other passages in Scripture might you make connections with this passage? You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3: 26 -29) Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. (Hebrews 2: 11)

4. From what other passages in Scripture might you make connections with this passage? He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1: 11 -13)

5. How might you introduce a sermon on this passage to demonstrate its relevance to your hearers? Can you suggest a good title? The surprising ancestry of Jesus (Matthew 1: 1 -18) Who do you think he is?

The forgotten man of Christmas (Matthew 1: 18 -25) Joseph • a good man • an angry man • a courageous man It behoves us to see Joseph as a hero of the story without whose courage and understanding of the prophets there would have been no Christmas story to tell. (Kenneth E. Bailey)

“We three kings of orient aren’t!” (Matthew 2: 1 -18) Responding to the claim of fiction: 1. Visit of Magi to Rome in the first century 2. Seemingly counter-productive? “A church which soon found itself in conflict with astrology is not likely to invent a story which appears to favour it. ” (Leon Morris)

“We three kings of orient aren’t!” Matthew 2: 1 -18) Speculative questions about the Magi 1. Where did they come from? 2. What was the star they saw? 3. In which year did the event occur?

A disturbing question (Matthew 2: 1 -18) “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? ” Contrasting responses to the question 1. Herod – hostility 2. The Magi – humility 3. The religious leaders – apathy

“From eternity to here!” (John 1: 1 -18) Three themes about God 1. Eternal “In the beginning” 2. Temporal “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” 3. Personal “yet to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”

“From eternity to here!” (John 1: 1 -18) Your response? Rejection? He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (verses 10 -11) Reception? Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (verses 12 -13)

The promise of Christmas “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. “ (Genesis 3: 15) Come, Desire of nations, come, fix in us thy humble home; rise, the woman's conquering 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. Hark, the herald-angels sing glory to the new-born King. (Charles Wesley)

“Light in our darkness” (Isaiah 9: 1 -7) Before Christmas • the darkness of confusion • the darkness of death • the darkness of despair After Christmas • the light of revelation • the light of life • the light of joy Are you still in the dark about Christmas?

Preaching Christ at Christmas The Christmas gift God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3: 16) The Christmas exchange For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8: 9) The Son of God became the Son of Man so that sons of men might become sons of God

The perfectly planned Christmas Galatians 4: 4 -7 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son A Christmas gift with two parts 1. “God sent his Son” – so that we might be redeemed from slavery 2. “God sent the Spirit of his Son” – so that we might be adopted into his family From slaves to sons!

A Christmas truce https: //dl. dropboxusercontent. com/u/4650893/5 th%20 prog%20 Truce. wav

Coping with Christmas stress https: //dl. dropboxusercontent. com/u/4650893/4 th%20 prog%20 Strees. wav

Do YOU know it’s Christmas? https: //dl. dropboxusercontent. com/u/4650893/3 rd%20 prog%20 do%20 they%20 know. wav

We Three Kings of Orient aren’t! https: //dl. dropboxusercontent. com/u/4650893/2 st%20 prog%20 kings. wav

The shocking story of the shepherds! https: //dl. dropboxusercontent. com/u/4650893/1 st%20 prog%20 shepherds. wav