Community & Discipleship

Honoring Christ on Christmas (Matthew 2:1-12)

2012.12.23Rev. Eddie Byun

Christ must be the center of Christmas. Like the wise men, we honor him when we see him for who he really is, savor and worship him, and surrender our lives to him.

We honor Christ when we see him for who he really is (vv. 1-4)

The wise men came to Jerusalem looking for the one born king of the Jews, and they had already recognized him through the prophetic Scriptures pointing to a ruler from Bethlehem. They honored Christ before they even met him because they understood the fulfillment of God's promise. Herod, by contrast, saw Jesus only as a threat to his throne and wanted to find and kill him. Failing to recognize a person worthy of honor is itself a form of dishonor. Jesus is fully God and fully man, who came down in flesh and blood and lived among us.

We honor Christ when we savor and worship him (vv. 2, 8-11)

When the wise men saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. They came to worship the newborn king, and when they found Jesus, they fell down and worshipped him. Those who truly see Christ will cherish him, while Herod only pretended he wanted to worship. Jesus is worthy of worship, love, and adoration. Even the word Christmas, meaning Christ Mass, reminds us that Christ is to be celebrated on this day and every day.

We honor Christ when we surrender everything to him (vv. 11-12)

The wise men fell down and worshipped Jesus, then opened their treasures and offered him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They saw him, savored him, and then surrendered to him, which is the proper order for those who truly see Christ. Many scholars suggest the gifts show how lavishly these men gave their best and put Jesus at the center of their lives. We surrender to him when we center our lives around him. Christmas is not for children to learn that they are the center of the day, but for everyone to know the glory of God becoming man so that people might become sons and daughters of God.

Christmas has been hijacked by distraction and consumerism

Christmas has been crowded out by snowmen, Santa, presents, parties, and shopping. In the United States, the average adult spends about $830 during the Christmas season, and the average household carries $15,788 in credit card debt. Satan has distracted us from the central purpose of the day, even in the church. Easter has become known for bunnies and chocolate, and Thanksgiving has become Turkey Day. Halloween is celebrated on October 31st while November 1st, All Saints Day, is largely forgotten.

Parents must restore Christ to the center of Christmas

Parents need to ask what they are really teaching their children about Christ and Christmas. One way is to use an Advent calendar or a nativity scene, adding one piece each day and saving the Christ child for Christmas Day. Another way is to remind children that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and to give them money to give to orphans, the poor, or missionaries. Christ-believing parents need to redeem and restore Christ in Christmas again.

St. Nicholas lived a life that honored Christ

Nicholas was born in 280 AD in southern Turkey, and after his wealthy father died, he came to see his wealth as a gift meant to bless others. He was a lover of children and the poor, and he became a missionary at the age of 14. While in prison, he confessed Christ to anyone within hearing distance, which earned him the name Nicholas the Confessor. He gave gold to a poor family so that their three daughters would not be sold into slavery. The speaker says that this is the Santa we need to celebrate, a man whose life was to exalt Jesus Christ.

Apply to Life

  • Let us see Jesus for who he really is, fully God and fully man.
  • Let us savor and worship Christ as the center of this Christmas.
  • Let us surrender our time, our resources, and our lives to him.
  • Let us examine how we celebrate Christmas and repent of letting the world shape it.
  • Let us teach the next generation to anticipate and celebrate Jesus and to give to those in need.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

← Back to 영어 예배(English Service)