What Would God Want For Christmas
If we were to ask “What would God want for Christmas” we would need to go to the Word for the answer. The prophet Micah has some straightforward answers for us.
The church should be doing right now what Jesus preached and taught. He commanded to tell and share about His life and instructions for life to all who will listen.
Micah 6:6-8
6 With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
The Three Magi
The shepherds were Hebrew and the Wise Men were Gentile. The Wise Men were from Arabia where gold, frankincense, and myrrh are prominent possessions of the wealthy. These Magi followed a star that led them to the child, the Savior of the World. They did not come to visit the city of Jerusalem, or the Temple, but to visit the Child. They were there looking for The King. The King whose birth Herod wanted to prevent.
Matthew 2:1-6
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
The Warrior Was an Infant
The child was to be called Jesus which means the one who will save. He was the Messiah. The Jews expected a warrior to ride in and save them from Roman rule. He came as a child.
He Came to Save Jews, Gentiles, and Women
At His birth, Jewish shepherds and Gentile Arabs came together in adoration of a Child in a manger. Women are included in the genealogy of Jesus and in the Hall of Faith recorded in Matthew and Hebrews. Before this time, Gentiles and women were not regarded with respect or inclusion in the Messiah’s triumphant entry.
Isaiah 60:5-6
- 5 Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come. - 6 Herds of camels will cover your land,
young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah
Matthew 1:1-16
The Hall of Faith
Hebrews 11
What would God want for Christmas? Jesus came to tell the oppressors and the oppressed both they must repent and need the grace of the Savior. He taught that everyone is welcome at the foot of the cross. What God wants for Christmas is for all to come to the saving knowledge of His grace.
Pub 12/17/21