December 24, 2023 | Dave McGinley
Passage: Luke 2:1-20
Matthew 1:18-25
Excitement! Embrace! Experience!
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"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." Matthew 1:18-19
JRR Tolkien coined the term “eucatastrophe”.
A Eucatastrophe: The sudden happy turn in a story that pierces you with a joy that brings you to tears.
The gift of Jesus Christ is an Eucatastrophe.
"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 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21
Be EXCITED for the Gift!
"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means God with us).
Jesus came into the world for me!
EMBRACE the Gift!
EXPERIENCE the Gift of Jesus!
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. Matthew 1:24-25
The gift of Jesus Christ is an Eucatastrophe.
Be EXCITED for the Gift!
EMBRACE the Gift!
EXPERIENCE the Gift of Jesus!
Series Information
The anticipation of Christmas can lead to re-evaluating what matters when it comes to our relationship with God. This year, we will focus on what it means to be with God - or more importantly, what it means for God to be with us
