Hope is Here!
Part 1 of "How Not to Ruin Christmas" message series
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and was pondering what kind of greeting this was. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”34 But Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason also the holy Child will be called the Son of God. – Luke 1:26-35 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
The world can be an overwhelming place for people. Jesus came to bring Hope to a world that is drowning in the burdens and circumstances of life. Even the real life first century characters of the true Christmas story felt these human emotions. The Incarnation was real! God restored Hope and Faith to the world in the form of God in the flesh – JESUS! We can choose to be citizens of the Kingdom and reap all the benefits because Hope is here!
For generations, followers of Jesus around the world have grown to expect these four things: HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE.
A 2021 poll by the National Alliance on Mental Illness reveals that 3 in 5 Americans feel that their mental health is negatively impacted by the holiday season. 65% report an increase in anxiety with 70% feeling financial stress. 75% consider seeking help from a mental health professional – IF they can afford it. 56% say they wish the holidays could be canceled because it is too stressful.
ILLUSTRATION: Charlie Brown’s Christmas (released in 1965)
25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB)
Seek first God’s Kingdom.
Take the next faithful step.
In the end, God wins! Seek first the Kingdom of God!
46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is to generation after generation toward those who fear Him. 51 He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty-handed. 54 He has given help to His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, 55 Just as He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” - Luke 1:46-55 (NASB)
Faith is rooted in the experiences of the past. Hope looks to the promises of the future.
ILLUSTRATION: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”
“And in despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth.’ I said; ‘For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!’”
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: ‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.’”
The INCARNATION is REAL!
God restores faith!
Questions for Reflection:
Have you ever felt like NOT celebrating the sacred and holy seasons of Advent and Christmas?
Why do you think some of our challenges may seem intensified during the holidays?
What are some of the things you learned about the true Christmas story that occurred in the first century that you may not have considered before today?
Why do you think God chose to place God’s self in the flesh to grow up in a place like Nazareth, especially since Sepphoris was so close to Nazareth?
How did Elizabeth encourage Mary during such a pivotal time in her life?
What did Jesus say His followers must choose to focus on in this life when circumstances seem to be stacked against us?
What is faith rooted in for followers of Jesus?
What does hope do for followers of Jesus?
What are followers of Jesus to celebrate during this sacred and holy season?
The BIG Idea:
The world can be an overwhelming place for people. Jesus came to bring Hope to a world that is drowning in the burdens and circumstances of life. Even the real life first century characters of the true Christmas story felt these human emotions. The Incarnation was real! God restored Hope and Faith to the world in the form of God in the flesh – JESUS! We can choose to be citizens of the Kingdom and reap all the benefits because Hope is here!
For generations, followers of Jesus around the world have grown to expect these four things: HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE.
A 2021 poll by the National Alliance on Mental Illness reveals that 3 in 5 Americans feel that their mental health is negatively impacted by the holiday season. 65% report an increase in anxiety with 70% feeling financial stress. 75% consider seeking help from a mental health professional – IF they can afford it. 56% say they wish the holidays could be canceled because it is too stressful.
ILLUSTRATION: Charlie Brown’s Christmas (released in 1965)
25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB)
Seek first God’s Kingdom.
Take the next faithful step.
In the end, God wins! Seek first the Kingdom of God!
46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is to generation after generation toward those who fear Him. 51 He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty-handed. 54 He has given help to His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, 55 Just as He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.” - Luke 1:46-55 (NASB)
Faith is rooted in the experiences of the past. Hope looks to the promises of the future.
ILLUSTRATION: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”
“And in despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth.’ I said; ‘For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!’”
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: ‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.’”
The INCARNATION is REAL!
God restores faith!
Questions for Reflection:
Have you ever felt like NOT celebrating the sacred and holy seasons of Advent and Christmas?
Why do you think some of our challenges may seem intensified during the holidays?
What are some of the things you learned about the true Christmas story that occurred in the first century that you may not have considered before today?
Why do you think God chose to place God’s self in the flesh to grow up in a place like Nazareth, especially since Sepphoris was so close to Nazareth?
How did Elizabeth encourage Mary during such a pivotal time in her life?
What did Jesus say His followers must choose to focus on in this life when circumstances seem to be stacked against us?
What is faith rooted in for followers of Jesus?
What does hope do for followers of Jesus?
What are followers of Jesus to celebrate during this sacred and holy season?