Sermon Snippet – Christmas: A Season of Family
INTRODUCTION – Last week, we considered the importance of prayer to the Christmas account. Today, we will study the centrality of family to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, God the Son.
1. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS MESSAGE WAS TO A FAMILY
In Genesis 3:15, we find the protoevangelium (Latin for “first Gospel”). This prophetic promise was pronounced to Adam and Eve, the first family. Their faith was so strong that they named their first son Cain, which means “I have the man, the Lord” (Genesis 4:1). Of course, Cain was anything but the Messiah, but this couple’s belief in the coming Redeemer was genuine. Moreover, the whole passage points us to Jesus. He became “cursed” (Genesis 3:17 – cf. Galatians 3:13), “seat” drops of blood (verse 19 – cf. Luke 22:44), wore a crown of “thorns” (verse 18 – cf. John 19:2), hanged on a “tree” (verses 1, 3, 6, 11-12) until dead (cf. I Peter 2:24), and was placed in the “dust” (verse 19 – cf. Isaiah 53:9 and Matthew 27:60). Even the implied sacrifice of verse 21 points us to Jesus (cf. I Corinthians 5:7). He is the “seed” (verse 15) pledged to Adam and Eve (cf. Galatians 3:16; 4:4-5).
2. THIS SAME MESSAGE WAS GIVEN TO ANOTHER FAMILY
As we just saw in Galatians 3:16, the sworn “seed” came through Abraham and Sarah, an elderly couple. Although they were childless, God made a detailed covenant with them, as initially outlined in Genesis 12:1-3. Galatians 3:8 specifically assigns the fulfillment of this prophecy to Jesus.
3. JESUS WAS BORN TO A FAMILY
The genealogy of Matthew 1:1-17 reinforces the prominence of the family in God’s plan of salvation, as does the list found in Luke 3:23-38 (which goes all the way back to Adam); these are careful, historical records. Three points present themselves promptly. First, God’s choice of family as the means of giving us a Savior is one expression of His love of family. Second, Jesus, God the Son, was entrusted to and grew up in a human family, further indicating God’s love of family. Third, the Virgin Birth of Jesus was a miracle (“of whom” in Matthew 1:16 is feminine singular, demonstrating that Jesus was born of Mary alone). Matthew 1:18-25 completes the account of this singular miracle. Around the birth of Jesus a family of three was formed.
4. JESUS WANTS EACH ONE OF US IN HIS FAMILY
Ephesians 3:14-15 specifically use the word “family” to describe the relationship that Jesus desires to have with His people. II Corinthians 6:17-18 is likewise specific, as the Lord calls believers, “My sons and daughters.” The concept of family is thus divine in its origination, continues throughout eternity, and is integral to the Christmas story.
CONCLUSION – Through faith in Jesus Christ, may each of us enter into the everlasting family of God. As His sons and daughters, may we value both our physical and spiritual families as we celebrate Christmas.