The Sermon Are You Ready For Christmas by David McGee
Dec 20, 2015
Are You Ready For Christmas (30:11)
Referenced Scriptures: Luke 2:1-17
Audio
Click To View Notes & Scriptures
-
The scriptures below are from the WEB Bible.
Luke 2:1-17
1) Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2) This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3) All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
5) to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being great with child.
6) It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.
7) She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8) There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9) Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10) The angel said to them, "Don‘t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11) For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12) This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."
13) Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14) "Glory to God in the highest, On earth peace, good will toward men."
15) It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let‘s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
16) They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough.
17) When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
The WEB Bible is provided by Public Domain.
Click To View The Sermon's Machine Transcription
This is a machine transcript of the sermon. It won't be completely accurate of what's said in the sermon.
Well this morning. Are you ready for Christmas. Yes. I am ready for Christmas. Have you heard that yet. Well. Are the children staying up. I think. We'll just. I will. And when the back. Starts I'll quit. So every time the quit. Dislike that was timed I think. So. Well let's read in. Luke Chapter two verse one. Through verse I believe it's seventeen and. This is the Christmas story and I'm reading it out of the King James version because I think of it is something that we identify with. Luke Chapter Two beginning of verse one. And it came to p in those days that there were not a decree from Caesar Augustus. That all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Sirene eous was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of naturists onto Judea onto the City of David which is called Bethlehem. Because he was of the house in the lineage of David. And that's OK. What's it. That's all right. Is she bought them. You know. And I says you're not going to give them before the church are you. But of yeah it did. But you know that's what's that's what that's the unique thing. That. There are no interruptions. Only divine appointments. And in our lives. You know we've got to be able to go with the flow. Be able to recognize that is in the little things. You know. You may forget what I preach about. But you'll never forget how you felt about seeing the kids. You may know all these things about Christmas and being ready for Christmas. You're creating an atmosphere. You're not you're not having presence. You know presence are part of it and whatever and. They can be a major part of a small part. But it's really the atmosphere that we create and. And I think with church in our. Revelation of Christ to us. Is the atmosphere that he creates in our life. And that Miss fear of expectation of peace of of. Knowing that is there. And we're is. There is an expectation. See if we were to preach about revival. Or preach about healing or. About accomplishing something or. Going into ministry or are getting a new job and all these things what do we have we have an expectation. And that's what gives to us as an expectation. And nowhere do we see this. Greater than in the Old Testament where these profits foretold seven hundred twenty years before it happened I'd say is talking about a virgin. Conceiving and. And the other prophets talking about Bethlehem and where the Christ child the Messiah would be born. The set up these expectations. Some people. You know. I don't like to expect too much that I don't get disappointed. OK. We know. I don't do that is our Father and he has set before us. Expectations. And yes we have been disappointed. But you know what. Life is and over. Because you're still here. The that and. The expectation that we have in our life. Is one that isn't work and who's to say that what you were expecting. And it didn't happen wasn't for that place in time. It's for. Now or for what is in the immediate future. So we set up an expectation and says. In your expectation. We call it faith. We expect to get better. From the surgery. We expect to get better. And the expectation. And so what we do then is we pray towards that expectation. In the. There have been numerous things that happen in our life and over the years and people and cir stances and. All those things that have her to our expectations. But. You see how we put those expectations. In connection with people. And they failed. But when we place those expectations. In relationship to . They will always succeed. It may not be to the point that you think or have a plan but will bring about an expectation in your heart in your life. Because he's the one who gave the dreams in the first place. He's the one who puts together that mind of yours. And I know it's scattered so you can't blame him for that. But he did have it together you know. And he put it within us the abilities and the desires of our heart. And so if our desires then. Aligned with the expectation of what we find in 's word. I like the idea that. We talked about in Sunday school. That. When you read the Scriptures. You come up with a character this is an outline of a person. And then you meet Jesus. By the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us. And the revelation of Christ to us. Matches exactly what is written. His character in the scripture. And by Vish Almon know that you are my disciples because of the relationship that we have with Christ. And how their Christ has that relationship with us. And so in that relationship we have an expectation that has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us so. When we feel in our relationships that we've been let down or lost. We need to remember. didn't leave us down. And he didn't lose us. We're not lost. He knows exactly where we're at. And so isn't working all these cir stances and all these places. And he wants to. Give us a voice. He wants to give us a voice in the force that we have isn't just. I just. It's more than just what would say. The voice that we have is in. How that we love and extend our love in our friendship and. Extend our generosity and extend to things that are good in our life well. You know I've been good to some people and they abuse it. OK. What you want to meddle. With. Jesus gave his love for people. And they denied him. You know. It's life. It's people. People fail. doesn't. But you see in our giving. And the people who hurt us. That wasn't . It causes us to place in sometimes it causes us to not trust anyone. In reality and cause us to trust more in . And in how the is leading us in helping us deal with the hurts of our life. And the expectation of our life is that. I will be a complete. I am a complete person. In Christ. I am. I am made whole in the man in the image of Jesus. Now. Doesn't mean that I'm perfect. But I'm going towards that goal Well that's pretty hard goal isn't it. You want to be perfect well let's try and be imperfect. Let's let's go. Let's have a goal of imperfection. You know. Let's set that up there let's let's try and fail. Yeah. We can hit that every day. And what do we end up with a lot of failures. All right so. Back to where I was at before as rudely interrupted by the. Never rudely interrupted. Yeah thank you very much. I'm I have to go. Bah. The hiring out is a on cue. So were reading about Mary and Joseph being in. In Bethlehem. You know. One of the things. My little highlights of my scripture. That I was going to come back to but I'll. Since I'm here and I will preach on it that. In the fullness of time. You know. There was a plan for Mary and Joseph. And times. We think that people can interrupt. 's plan for our life. And I want to tell you. No one can interrupt. 's plan for your life. But you me. Because. Jesus needed to be born in Bethlehem. And his family mother and father. Are in Nazareth. And they need to get the Bethlehem because the Scriptures say. He shall be born in Bethlehem but Mary and Joseph didn't know the whole thing. They were just waiting out. MARY. Took these things and she pondered them in her heart. And she you know. You magine. He imagine trying to convince people that you're still a virgin and that . Came upon you in the promise he gave you you're going to have a child. And the child that is born as it is in your womb is a holy thing of made of stone or. So Mary. Just kept her silence. And allowed to do the work in her life. And in her husband's life Joseph. And they were not in the right place for the Messiah to be born. And so. A governor and. Unguardedly Roman ruler and governor. Made a decision to have taxes. And they had to leave their time around. When she is about to give birth. They had to leave that place and go to Bethlehem. Because of it on godly men. Making an ungodly. Tax upon his people. But it was exactly where Mary and Joseph needed to be. Sometimes we get so upset with life. We forget to understand maybe has us there for a purpose. Well anyhow. They are to be taxed with Mary has a spouse wife being great with child. My. You know sometimes I'm the skeptic. Why now. Why is the birth of the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Why is it so important that he be born in a stable. Here's the guy. In John one. Genesis one could. Spoke the world into existence. Made everything in the world. And there was no place in that place of creation. For him to be born. Except in the barn and put in a feature of. You see. No one can say they are not where has come to see that. No matter who we are in life no matter what station. We feel ourselves in the lowest of servants. Jesus was born in this place. Bethlehem in a stable. In a hollowed out. Cave in under in underneath the rocks or cliff in back in that. Underneath that little cliff is a stable where the animals are wrapped and that's where Jesus was born. And so was that while they were there the day's work complex that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger. Swaddling clothes or. Rags strips of cloth. So it's possible that these are those rags or the. Strips of cloth that they found in the barn. And they wrapped this newborn baby. In the strips of rags. Because there was no room for him in the end. So here he is King of Kings. Lord of Lords. The Angels bow down before him. He speaks the world into existence. Knows the stars in the solar systems and. Does not think it. Beneath him to be born in a manger. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in their field keeping watch over their flock by night. He who is the great shepherd of the flock. Is now going to make the first announcement the Angels are going to make their first announcement that the Messiah is born. And they're going to make it to shepherds. And one of the things that is interesting that these shepherds. These shepherds are not just ordinary shepherds. They are shepherds. Of the sheep. That were used in the temple sacrifices. So Jesus. The announcement of the angel came to the shepherds. Who were. Shepherding the sheep. That would be used in the sacrifice. Be. Sacrificial lambs. That the people would have and buy and purchase. So that they could be slain for their sin. And lo the angel came upon them in the glory of the Lord shown round about them and they were sore afraid. So this divine announcement comes by angels and. It suddenly and the Message Bible says. Suddenly 's angels stood among them. You know we always have the idea of pictures of the angels up here shining down for fraid you know. Well. The angels were not looking down the angels are standing next to them. What would you do if you just blink your eyes and right in front of you were standing an angel. And the angel says. Don't be afraid. You have right. Now. And. Once you go sit by somebody else the. Go go go talk to my neighbor he needs you more than I do please you know go over there. And the angel said foreign to you is born this day in the City of David a savior which is Christ the Lord and this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger and suddenly there was with the Angel. A mul ude of Heavenly Host praising and saying Glory to in the highest. And our earth peace and goodwill toward men. The the challenge for us is to see the good will toward men. The good will and goodwill good will you know that's a truck up at the mall. Goodwill and. Have you been ready for Christmas. Are you ready how many are ready for Christmas. Yes. You have all your presents bought for others are you just ready to get them. Yeah. You see what happens at Christmas is how many have heard the words ready for Christmas and yeah. You got all your things baked and pushed. Well it seems like everywhere you go you might hear that phrase ready for Christmas. Whether it's at the grocery store or at the bank or friends that you meet in the neighborhood or you know. Are you ready for Christmas and. I think the answer to the question really depends on what do you mean by ready. Is your house decorated. Yeah we got that. Did you buy all your presence. Am I supposed to. What is it that you said you wanted again dear. I know she wants a sweeper. And a mop and bucket. But that. New tractor that's what she hints at another bank you. You see how we get this all mixed up why are you ready. You know like ladies did you go to the. Home Depot or Lowes. To buy the tool for your husband. Well then why don't we do the same thing for our wives buy them sweepers and. Dish rags and. Cleaning supplies. Somehow that just doesn't balance out. You know. Well. How do you mean by ready. While. And the real question should be are we ready for Jesus. Are we ready for Jesus. Now that puts the idea of being ready in a whole different perspective. For Christmas. Are you ready for Jesus. John the Baptist he says he was here to get. 's people ready to meet Jesus. So here's what Matthew had to say about it he says in those days John the Baptist came preaching. In the desert of Judea saying Repent. For the kingdom of heaven is near. He has a voice calling in the desert. He's saying prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight his path. So there is this. Ready for Jesus. Not ready for the babe in the manger ready for Jesus. You know. Ready for to meet with Christ and. Or destroy a guy. He was a preacher and. He was in the park. He was into a parking lot. And he was having a heart attack and he's laying on the ground and. This is his story and he's telling the story . I've been so good. Why would I die in a parking lot where. What's wrong with you what's wrong you know. And where you at and. You know there's ody around and he's laying there. Believing that he is dying. And he had this impression that. Are you ready to meet me. Well no you know. I don't want to I'm ready but I don't want to go just now. And he said. Are you ready for me to heal you. Are you ready for me. Are you ready to meet me. And reality T.V. impression was. You need to be both. We need to be both and I think of reading. I am ready to go home to haven't. Why. Because I have. As John the Baptist repent. Repent of the law of Christ into our heart and life were ready out there. But you know one. If we're ready out there we don't need to be. Afraid of. Ready for right now. Because in this moment. I am ready to meet with Jesus. And if I am ready to meet with Jesus right now. What do you think he wants me to do. What do you think he wants. You know. I'm I'm ready to meet him I am ready I meet him now. What do you think Jesus would say to us. What do you think the angel would say is sits down beside you. If you were closer I'd just jump over here and said the one I've been to the angel that showed up but you know one be an angel. But. We would be. We were whoa what does he want. And he wants to bring to watch the good news that we can share. So being ready for Jesus. Is that I am ready to hear his words to my mind in my heart. That says. I've got some good news for you David. I'm with you. I'm not just behind you. I'm with you. I'm not just someone who is about you. I'm here to help you. I'm here to empower you. So are we ready for Jesus to come into our life. And say Hey David. Let's go get this. Let's go do this let's give love to somebody who doesn't feel loved. Yes. Let's give love to somebody who's an old bitter indifferent. Agnostic. A person who has no time for anyone else. Let's go love them. Yes. Are we ready. Thing. We have. There's a poem. Ready for Christmas. Ready for Christmas she said with a side. As she gave the last touch to the gifts that are piled high. Then we're Leigh sat for a moment and read till soon very soon she nodded her head. Then quietly spoken a voice in her dream. Ready for Christmas. What do you mean. She woke with a start in the cry of despair. There's so little time. And I have still to prepare. Oh Father forgive me. I see what you mean yes. More than giving of gifts in a tree. It's a heart. Swept clean. That you want to see. A heart that is free from bitterness and sin. So be ready for Christmas. Be ready for him and. We need to give voice to are ready. And that Christ is the reason for our season. No matter what anybody says no matter what anyone does though matter what they may say. Newspapers and schools and cons utions. We must be ready to speak. His name and give him peace. But you see there are people who can use your gift. To their life. You have a gift. It's called a smile. It's called a touch. It's called friendship. It's called encouragement. And there are drives for toys and toys for tots and. There are good will and there are. Salvation Army and they're all these places and. They are very important and we need to be involved in those types of giving. But you know there may be a person sitting in a booth. In a restaurant. Trying to count enough pennies. To pay their bill. And you would look at that and say. I need to give. There may be a child who is behind you in line and wanting to buy a present for someone and they pull out their dollar and put it on the thing. And they want to buy a special present and. You buy it for them to give it to someone. You see. Giving to those who don't know you. Those who would not be able to repay you we are giving something. Of us. So that we can. In order to give something we have to let loose of something. In order to receive good we have to give good. To receive gifts. We got you know I would. Rhonda was at the post office and. We mailed out about one hundred fifty cards or something one hundred twenty cards. Anyhow we were there enough lady come up to her and said. You do you know you got him. You want to see those Christmas cards. It's like she had to defend herself. Yeah. Why. I didn't know anybody sent Christmas cards anymore. You know and she has this whole stack and I. And I said. I didn't I wasn't there and I said Well did you to ask her if she got any cards. And she probably would have said no I don't get cards. How many did you say and. You see. We can't get back what we don't give. So you give of what you have. You know. It isn't selling the house and. You know if there was this. This is old. Guy from the hills of West Virginia Virginia some hills somewhere walking mountains. And he and his wife and kids were going to see the big city. So he walks into this big department store this high rise. And he you know they were quite intrigued with this wall and the doors would open up and close and. The guy standing there with his son and. This older lady walks up and pushes the on. And she gets in and the door's closed in a few moments later. It opens and out steps this beautiful woman. They didn't know what to make of it but he says. Go get your mother. That's not a Christmas story. But. There. There are gifts that we have that are worth giving and. There's. If you you know if you watch the voice on T.V.. Yeah yeah. I watch it. And the guy. Jonathan Smith. Jordan Smith excuse me. Jordan Smith. He he was. He was the winner this year will Jordan Smith Goes to. Tennessee's leave university. Which is the place where cliff and Nancy's niece. Tammy graduated from there and. It was there and you know he has this. If you have to watch it from the very beginning to the different series of things. But in my estimation he too. He chose to totally wrong coach. You know. You know he told me talk to a guy who is. Tattooed in probably has less knowledge of spiritual things than anyone on the whole group of four. But you know what I think he you know I go back to and I watched it the other day. And he says I have to go with my heart. This is Jordan. I have to go with my heart and I want to I choose. What's his name. Adam. I choose Adam. And I thought boy that was a big mistake. But and. Many have said and what we've read or whatever. Glimpses of things that. Adam was very touched by the spirituality of Jordan. So here's a kid. Twenty two. Here's a guy wanting to win a million dollars and have a contract. To sing. And he chooses someone that he finds in his heart. Not necessarily the one that he would think would make him. Number one. But he did. Alten his heart. And he did. What And the little glimpses of what I've heard and read. He did this. And most as a witness. To Adam not. As a way to win. But you see whenever you do what is a witness. Of what your gift things are to other people. You accomplish what you want. And so as we follow Christ. We have this. Understanding of what we want. But really what we have to do is learn how to give. In order to receive what we want. And this is Jordan. Singing his song that one. That night on The Voice. In music theory. He said when he was sitting. When he was sitting in music theory cl . He dreamed of being good at what he did. In C.. And that's what I think Christmas is about. There are so many gifting to has placed it. Each of us. And we just don't realize them. Until we put ourselves in the place where we can give them. And whenever we give them. We find that those gifts. Continue to just snowball and multiply. And so here's a young man that's probably. Sang in churches and sang in college cl es and. Gone on tour and even sang before the pope. But now. You know he had to train. He had to practice. He loved to practice right piano. Yeah um because like I really was eyebrows. Well. But the practice. Without the practice without the theory without all these other things. That doesn't happen. And in our life. We're practicing our faith. And sometimes we fail. But it's. doesn't fail us. Because in our failures. He still loves us. Because the Love Never Dies. Father we thank you for this very special Christmas season. This very special place in our life. That you touch us. You come. And reveal yourself. And as the song said. Mary did you know that when you kissed your little baby boy. You kissed. The face of . I pray that in our life that. Whenever we do the little things that we do. Or major things that we do. It is the hand of . Touching a life of someone who is near us. And we thank you Lord. That you touch our hearts. Change our spirits Lord let us be ready for Jesus. Amen and Amen. Thank you.Well this morning. Are you ready for Christmas. Yes. I am ready for Christmas. Have you heard that yet. Well. Are the children staying up. I think. We'll just. I will. And when the back. Starts I'll quit. So every time the quit. Dislike that was timed I think. So. Well let's read in. Luke Chapter two verse one. Through verse I believe it's seventeen and. This is the Christmas story and I'm reading it out of the King James version because I think of it is something that we identify with. Luke Chapter Two beginning of verse one. And it came to p in those days that there were not a decree from Caesar Augustus. That all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Sirene eous was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of naturists onto Judea onto the City of David which is called Bethlehem. Because he was of the house in the lineage of David. And that's OK. What's it. That's all right. Is she bought them. You know. And I says you're not going to give them before the church are you. But of yeah it did. But you know that's what's that's what that's the unique thing. That. There are no interruptions. Only divine appointments. And in our lives. You know we've got to be able to go with the flow. Be able to recognize that is in the little things. You know. You may forget what I preach about. But you'll never forget how you felt about seeing the kids. You may know all these things about Christmas and being ready for Christmas. You're creating an atmosphere. You're not you're not having presence. You know presence are part of it and whatever and. They can be a major part of a small part. But it's really the atmosphere that we create and. And I think with church in our. Revelation of Christ to us. Is the atmosphere that he creates in our life. And that Miss fear of expectation of peace of of. Knowing that is there. And we're is. There is an expectation. See if we were to preach about revival. Or preach about healing or. About accomplishing something or. Going into ministry or are getting a new job and all these things what do we have we have an expectation. And that's what gives to us as an expectation. And nowhere do we see this. Greater than in the Old Testament where these profits foretold seven hundred twenty years before it happened I'd say is talking about a virgin. Conceiving and. And the other prophets talking about Bethlehem and where the Christ child the Messiah would be born. The set up these expectations. Some people. You know. I don't like to expect too much that I don't get disappointed. OK. We know. I don't do that is our Father and he has set before us. Expectations. And yes we have been disappointed. But you know what. Life is and over. Because you're still here. The that and. The expectation that we have in our life. Is one that isn't work and who's to say that what you were expecting. And it didn't happen wasn't for that place in time. It's for. Now or for what is in the immediate future. So we set up an expectation and says. In your expectation. We call it faith. We expect to get better. From the surgery. We expect to get better. And the expectation. And so what we do then is we pray towards that expectation. In the. There have been numerous things that happen in our life and over the years and people and cir stances and. All those things that have her to our expectations. But. You see how we put those expectations. In connection with people. And they failed. But when we place those expectations. In relationship to . They will always succeed. It may not be to the point that you think or have a plan but will bring about an expectation in your heart in your life. Because he's the one who gave the dreams in the first place. He's the one who puts together that mind of yours. And I know it's scattered so you can't blame him for that. But he did have it together you know. And he put it within us the abilities and the desires of our heart. And so if our desires then. Aligned with the expectation of what we find in 's word. I like the idea that. We talked about in Sunday school. That. When you read the Scriptures. You come up with a character this is an outline of a person. And then you meet Jesus. By the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us. And the revelation of Christ to us. Matches exactly what is written. His character in the scripture. And by Vish Almon know that you are my disciples because of the relationship that we have with Christ. And how their Christ has that relationship with us. And so in that relationship we have an expectation that has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us so. When we feel in our relationships that we've been let down or lost. We need to remember. didn't leave us down. And he didn't lose us. We're not lost. He knows exactly where we're at. And so isn't working all these cir stances and all these places. And he wants to. Give us a voice. He wants to give us a voice in the force that we have isn't just. I just. It's more than just what would say. The voice that we have is in. How that we love and extend our love in our friendship and. Extend our generosity and extend to things that are good in our life well. You know I've been good to some people and they abuse it. OK. What you want to meddle. With. Jesus gave his love for people. And they denied him. You know. It's life. It's people. People fail. doesn't. But you see in our giving. And the people who hurt us. That wasn't . It causes us to place in sometimes it causes us to not trust anyone. In reality and cause us to trust more in . And in how the is leading us in helping us deal with the hurts of our life. And the expectation of our life is that. I will be a complete. I am a complete person. In Christ. I am. I am made whole in the man in the image of Jesus. Now. Doesn't mean that I'm perfect. But I'm going towards that goal Well that's pretty hard goal isn't it. You want to be perfect well let's try and be imperfect. Let's let's go. Let's have a goal of imperfection. You know. Let's set that up there let's let's try and fail. Yeah. We can hit that every day. And what do we end up with a lot of failures. All right so. Back to where I was at before as rudely interrupted by the. Never rudely interrupted. Yeah thank you very much. I'm I have to go. Bah. The hiring out is a on cue. So were reading about Mary and Joseph being in. In Bethlehem. You know. One of the things. My little highlights of my scripture. That I was going to come back to but I'll. Since I'm here and I will preach on it that. In the fullness of time. You know. There was a plan for Mary and Joseph. And times. We think that people can interrupt. 's plan for our life. And I want to tell you. No one can interrupt. 's plan for your life. But you me. Because. Jesus needed to be born in Bethlehem. And his family mother and father. Are in Nazareth. And they need to get the Bethlehem because the Scriptures say. He shall be born in Bethlehem but Mary and Joseph didn't know the whole thing. They were just waiting out. MARY. Took these things and she pondered them in her heart. And she you know. You magine. He imagine trying to convince people that you're still a virgin and that . Came upon you in the promise he gave you you're going to have a child. And the child that is born as it is in your womb is a holy thing of made of stone or. So Mary. Just kept her silence. And allowed to do the work in her life. And in her husband's life Joseph. And they were not in the right place for the Messiah to be born. And so. A governor and. Unguardedly Roman ruler and governor. Made a decision to have taxes. And they had to leave their time around. When she is about to give birth. They had to leave that place and go to Bethlehem. Because of it on godly men. Making an ungodly. Tax upon his people. But it was exactly where Mary and Joseph needed to be. Sometimes we get so upset with life. We forget to understand maybe has us there for a purpose. Well anyhow. They are to be taxed with Mary has a spouse wife being great with child. My. You know sometimes I'm the skeptic. Why now. Why is the birth of the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Why is it so important that he be born in a stable. Here's the guy. In John one. Genesis one could. Spoke the world into existence. Made everything in the world. And there was no place in that place of creation. For him to be born. Except in the barn and put in a feature of. You see. No one can say they are not where has come to see that. No matter who we are in life no matter what station. We feel ourselves in the lowest of servants. Jesus was born in this place. Bethlehem in a stable. In a hollowed out. Cave in under in underneath the rocks or cliff in back in that. Underneath that little cliff is a stable where the animals are wrapped and that's where Jesus was born. And so was that while they were there the day's work complex that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger. Swaddling clothes or. Rags strips of cloth. So it's possible that these are those rags or the. Strips of cloth that they found in the barn. And they wrapped this newborn baby. In the strips of rags. Because there was no room for him in the end. So here he is King of Kings. Lord of Lords. The Angels bow down before him. He speaks the world into existence. Knows the stars in the solar systems and. Does not think it. Beneath him to be born in a manger. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in their field keeping watch over their flock by night. He who is the great shepherd of the flock. Is now going to make the first announcement the Angels are going to make their first announcement that the Messiah is born. And they're going to make it to shepherds. And one of the things that is interesting that these shepherds. These shepherds are not just ordinary shepherds. They are shepherds. Of the sheep. That were used in the temple sacrifices. So Jesus. The announcement of the angel came to the shepherds. Who were. Shepherding the sheep. That would be used in the sacrifice. Be. Sacrificial lambs. That the people would have and buy and purchase. So that they could be slain for their sin. And lo the angel came upon them in the glory of the Lord shown round about them and they were sore afraid. So this divine announcement comes by angels and. It suddenly and the Message Bible says. Suddenly 's angels stood among them. You know we always have the idea of pictures of the angels up here shining down for fraid you know. Well. The angels were not looking down the angels are standing next to them. What would you do if you just blink your eyes and right in front of you were standing an angel. And the angel says. Don't be afraid. You have right. Now. And. Once you go sit by somebody else the. Go go go talk to my neighbor he needs you more than I do please you know go over there. And the angel said foreign to you is born this day in the City of David a savior which is Christ the Lord and this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger and suddenly there was with the Angel. A mul ude of Heavenly Host praising and saying Glory to in the highest. And our earth peace and goodwill toward men. The the challenge for us is to see the good will toward men. The good will and goodwill good will you know that's a truck up at the mall. Goodwill and. Have you been ready for Christmas. Are you ready how many are ready for Christmas. Yes. You have all your presents bought for others are you just ready to get them. Yeah. You see what happens at Christmas is how many have heard the words ready for Christmas and yeah. You got all your things baked and pushed. Well it seems like everywhere you go you might hear that phrase ready for Christmas. Whether it's at the grocery store or at the bank or friends that you meet in the neighborhood or you know. Are you ready for Christmas and. I think the answer to the question really depends on what do you mean by ready. Is your house decorated. Yeah we got that. Did you buy all your presence. Am I supposed to. What is it that you said you wanted again dear. I know she wants a sweeper. And a mop and bucket. But that. New tractor that's what she hints at another bank you. You see how we get this all mixed up why are you ready. You know like ladies did you go to the. Home Depot or Lowes. To buy the tool for your husband. Well then why don't we do the same thing for our wives buy them sweepers and. Dish rags and. Cleaning supplies. Somehow that just doesn't balance out. You know. Well. How do you mean by ready. While. And the real question should be are we ready for Jesus. Are we ready for Jesus. Now that puts the idea of being ready in a whole different perspective. For Christmas. Are you ready for Jesus. John the Baptist he says he was here to get. 's people ready to meet Jesus. So here's what Matthew had to say about it he says in those days John the Baptist came preaching. In the desert of Judea saying Repent. For the kingdom of heaven is near. He has a voice calling in the desert. He's saying prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight his path. So there is this. Ready for Jesus. Not ready for the babe in the manger ready for Jesus. You know. Ready for to meet with Christ and. Or destroy a guy. He was a preacher and. He was in the park. He was into a parking lot. And he was having a heart attack and he's laying on the ground and. This is his story and he's telling the story . I've been so good. Why would I die in a parking lot where. What's wrong with you what's wrong you know. And where you at and. You know there's ody around and he's laying there. Believing that he is dying. And he had this impression that. Are you ready to meet me. Well no you know. I don't want to I'm ready but I don't want to go just now. And he said. Are you ready for me to heal you. Are you ready for me. Are you ready to meet me. And reality T.V. impression was. You need to be both. We need to be both and I think of reading. I am ready to go home to haven't. Why. Because I have. As John the Baptist repent. Repent of the law of Christ into our heart and life were ready out there. But you know one. If we're ready out there we don't need to be. Afraid of. Ready for right now. Because in this moment. I am ready to meet with Jesus. And if I am ready to meet with Jesus right now. What do you think he wants me to do. What do you think he wants. You know. I'm I'm ready to meet him I am ready I meet him now. What do you think Jesus would say to us. What do you think the angel would say is sits down beside you. If you were closer I'd just jump over here and said the one I've been to the angel that showed up but you know one be an angel. But. We would be. We were whoa what does he want. And he wants to bring to watch the good news that we can share. So being ready for Jesus. Is that I am ready to hear his words to my mind in my heart. That says. I've got some good news for you David. I'm with you. I'm not just behind you. I'm with you. I'm not just someone who is about you. I'm here to help you. I'm here to empower you. So are we ready for Jesus to come into our life. And say Hey David. Let's go get this. Let's go do this let's give love to somebody who doesn't feel loved. Yes. Let's give love to somebody who's an old bitter indifferent. Agnostic. A person who has no time for anyone else. Let's go love them. Yes. Are we ready. Thing. We have. There's a poem. Ready for Christmas. Ready for Christmas she said with a side. As she gave the last touch to the gifts that are piled high. Then we're Leigh sat for a moment and read till soon very soon she nodded her head. Then quietly spoken a voice in her dream. Ready for Christmas. What do you mean. She woke with a start in the cry of despair. There's so little time. And I have still to prepare. Oh Father forgive me. I see what you mean yes. More than giving of gifts in a tree. It's a heart. Swept clean. That you want to see. A heart that is free from bitterness and sin. So be ready for Christmas. Be ready for him and. We need to give voice to are ready. And that Christ is the reason for our season. No matter what anybody says no matter what anyone does though matter what they may say. Newspapers and schools and cons utions. We must be ready to speak. His name and give him peace. But you see there are people who can use your gift. To their life. You have a gift. It's called a smile. It's called a touch. It's called friendship. It's called encouragement. And there are drives for toys and toys for tots and. There are good will and there are. Salvation Army and they're all these places and. They are very important and we need to be involved in those types of giving. But you know there may be a person sitting in a booth. In a restaurant. Trying to count enough pennies. To pay their bill. And you would look at that and say. I need to give. There may be a child who is behind you in line and wanting to buy a present for someone and they pull out their dollar and put it on the thing. And they want to buy a special present and. You buy it for them to give it to someone. You see. Giving to those who don't know you. Those who would not be able to repay you we are giving something. Of us. So that we can. In order to give something we have to let loose of something. In order to receive good we have to give good. To receive gifts. We got you know I would. Rhonda was at the post office and. We mailed out about one hundred fifty cards or something one hundred twenty cards. Anyhow we were there enough lady come up to her and said. You do you know you got him. You want to see those Christmas cards. It's like she had to defend herself. Yeah. Why. I didn't know anybody sent Christmas cards anymore. You know and she has this whole stack and I. And I said. I didn't I wasn't there and I said Well did you to ask her if she got any cards. And she probably would have said no I don't get cards. How many did you say and. You see. We can't get back what we don't give. So you give of what you have. You know. It isn't selling the house and. You know if there was this. This is old. Guy from the hills of West Virginia Virginia some hills somewhere walking mountains. And he and his wife and kids were going to see the big city. So he walks into this big department store this high rise. And he you know they were quite intrigued with this wall and the doors would open up and close and. The guy standing there with his son and. This older lady walks up and pushes the on. And she gets in and the door's closed in a few moments later. It opens and out steps this beautiful woman. They didn't know what to make of it but he says. Go get your mother. That's not a Christmas story. But. There. There are gifts that we have that are worth giving and. There's. If you you know if you watch the voice on T.V.. Yeah yeah. I watch it. And the guy. Jonathan Smith. Jordan Smith excuse me. Jordan Smith. He he was. He was the winner this year will Jordan Smith Goes to. Tennessee's leave university. Which is the place where cliff and Nancy's niece. Tammy graduated from there and. It was there and you know he has this. If you have to watch it from the very beginning to the different series of things. But in my estimation he too. He chose to totally wrong coach. You know. You know he told me talk to a guy who is. Tattooed in probably has less knowledge of spiritual things than anyone on the whole group of four. But you know what I think he you know I go back to and I watched it the other day. And he says I have to go with my heart. This is Jordan. I have to go with my heart and I want to I choose. What's his name. Adam. I choose Adam. And I thought boy that was a big mistake. But and. Many have said and what we've read or whatever. Glimpses of things that. Adam was very touched by the spirituality of Jordan. So here's a kid. Twenty two. Here's a guy wanting to win a million dollars and have a contract. To sing. And he chooses someone that he finds in his heart. Not necessarily the one that he would think would make him. Number one. But he did. Alten his heart. And he did. What And the little glimpses of what I've heard and read. He did this. And most as a witness. To Adam not. As a way to win. But you see whenever you do what is a witness. Of what your gift things are to other people. You accomplish what you want. And so as we follow Christ. We have this. Understanding of what we want. But really what we have to do is learn how to give. In order to receive what we want. And this is Jordan. Singing his song that one. That night on The Voice. In music theory. He said when he was sitting. When he was sitting in music theory cl . He dreamed of being good at what he did. In C.. And that's what I think Christmas is about. There are so many gifting to has placed it. Each of us. And we just don't realize them. Until we put ourselves in the place where we can give them. And whenever we give them. We find that those gifts. Continue to just snowball and multiply. And so here's a young man that's probably. Sang in churches and sang in college cl es and. Gone on tour and even sang before the pope. But now. You know he had to train. He had to practice. He loved to practice right piano. Yeah um because like I really was eyebrows. Well. But the practice. Without the practice without the theory without all these other things. That doesn't happen. And in our life. We're practicing our faith. And sometimes we fail. But it's. doesn't fail us. Because in our failures. He still loves us. Because the Love Never Dies. Father we thank you for this very special Christmas season. This very special place in our life. That you touch us. You come. And reveal yourself. And as the song said. Mary did you know that when you kissed your little baby boy. You kissed. The face of . I pray that in our life that. Whenever we do the little things that we do. Or major things that we do. It is the hand of . Touching a life of someone who is near us. And we thank you Lord. That you touch our hearts. Change our spirits Lord let us be ready for Jesus. Amen and Amen. Thank you.