Over 2000 years ago everything changed. It changed because “God sent His one and only Son so that all who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus, the Son of God, would live a perfectly righteous life and give up His life in order to save people from their sins. We celebrate Christmas because we rejoice that Jesus Christ is born. In our sermon this Christmas Day, we shall consider the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus Christ brings us.
- Advent is a reminder that Jesus brings us hope. The opposite of hope is despair and a sense of helplessness. While we may feel helpless; Christians are never hopeless. This is because our hope is not blind optimism or a wishful desire for something to happen. Real hope is a confident expectation that God is faithful to keep His promises. 1 Timothy 4:10 reminds us: “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” Let us embrace our blessed hope: Jesus Christ.
- Advent is a reminder that Jesus brings us peace. The opposite of peace is conflict and the worst conflict is between us and God. True peace is the result of being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Peace is only possible through Jesus Christ because only Jesus brings the key to peace: forgiveness. Being at peace with God (Rom 5:1) we are now able to strive for peace with our neighbors (Heb 12:14). One of the most powerful things you can say to someone is “I forgive you.” When we forgive others we release the bitterness and anger into God’s hands and He replaces it with peace. Let us embrace our peace-maker: Jesus Christ.
- Advent is a reminder that Jesus brings us joy. Joy is different and far greater than happiness. Happiness is unsustainable because it is tied to what is happening around you. True joy is greater than happiness because it is not tied to what is happening, but on what has already happened. Jesus Christ grants us joy to possess and we are not to relinquish it under any circumstances. No one can take your joy from you. You can either relinquish it in fear or share it in faith. Joy increases as it is shared. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10) to endure during difficult days. Let us embrace our joy-giver: Jesus Christ.
- Advent is a reminder that Jesus brings us love. True love is not to be confused with lust. True love is not based on someone’s physical appearance or how someone makes you feel. That type of love is selfish. True love is not selfish; it is sacrificial. Selfish love does not satisfy because we are not designed for self-satisfaction but to be a blessing to others. Only sacrificial love satisfies our design. Sacrificial love is only possible through Jesus. Let us embrace our source of love: Jesus Christ.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If you are not a Christian, admit that you are a sinner and repent of your sin. Believe that Jesus is God’s Son who died to bring forgiveness for your sin. Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Be freed from the bondage of sin and find true and lasting hope, peace, joy, and love.
First Baptist Scott City, MO 