Jesus Christmas | Reason for Immanuel | Candlelight Service (12/24/24)

Jesus Christmas | Reason for Immanuel (עִמָּנוּאֵל)
By Rev. Nicholas Sybrowsky

Invocation:

Holy Father, join us this evening.  Inhabit the praises of your people.  Guide our minds as one mind.  Strengthen our hands & feet as one body.  Steady our spirits as one spirit, your Spirit, Your church.

Note to reader.  This service includes the following outline with hymns & shared readings from within the congregation.  A Christmas Story Poem by Dave Trenholm (Cite 4).

Hymn/song, Reading & Candle lighting outline:

• Angels We Have Heard on High
• The First Noel
• *Introduction & Our Journey to Bethlehem
• Candle 1
• Do you Here What I Here
• Little Town of Bethlehem
• *Jesus is Born
• Candle 2
• King of Kings
• What Child is This
• *The Angels
• Candle 3
• Hark the Angels Sing
• Oh, Come All ye Faithful
• *The Shepherds
• Candle 4
• Oh, Holy Night
• *The Wise Men
• Candle 5
• Joy to the World
• Go Tell it on the Mountain
• *Conclusion

*Reading

The True Spirit of Christmas is that God is with Us

Intro:

In this Jesus Christmas Series, we examined Christmas—The Reason for the Season, The Reason for Celebration, The Reason for Hope & Today we expound on Christmas—The Reason for Immanuel.  Thus far I’ve briefly explained 4 of the 117 OT Prophecies fulfilled in Christ Jesus:  SATAN AGAINST JESUS.  JESUS’ VICTORY OVER SATAN and THE MESSIAH TO BE BORN IN BETHLEHEM & DAVID’S SON AS ETERNAL KING (Cite1).  

Main Texts:  

Isaiah 7:14. 

"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." [Isa 7:14 KJV]

Matthew 1:18 - 23.

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. [19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. [20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. [21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. [22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, [23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." [Mat 1:18-23 KJV]

Luke 1:26 - 35.

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, [27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary. [28] And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women. [29] And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. [30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. [34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? [35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." [Luk 1:26-35 KJV]

(Cite 3)

1. To bridge the separation from God.

Today we emphasize a 5th OT Prophecy fulfilled in Christ:  VIRGIN BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH (Cite 1).

As a church repeat after me: “…Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…”  (Is. 9:6 NKJV) 

The Reason for the season & the purpose of Celebrating Christmas isn’t so much about gift exchange nor is it about celebrating the birth of Jesus.  It’s more about who Christ Jesus is & the significance of his birth.  The fact he was born is important and grand, nothing short of miraculous.  But the purpose of his birth is why Christmas is such a big deal.  He was born destined to be the Savior of mankind.  Sent on a rescue mission from God, by God and for God’s Glory.  Man needed rescue from sin & the Serpent, Satan, the Adversary.

Three millenniums of human history have passed since God used Nathan to prophesy that the Eternal King would come from David (2 Sam.7:16; 1-17).  It’s no wonder that to some of you Christmas means many things other than what it is.  Long before I stand with you in this moment to sing. Long ago this story of His virgin birth was predicted by the evangelical prophet Isaiah; 700 years in advance of the Holy Spirit empowered conception of Jesus Christ within Mary“…The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (im-maw-noo-ale' God with us).  (Isa. 7:14) 

In my opinion, this annual observation regarding The Lord’s perfect virgin birth is quite frankly the greatest spiritual warfare infiltration mission & victory ever recorded in time.  This is the story of Christmas—Immanuel.  How God manifest himself on earth to be with us in body, mind & spirit.  

Conclusion:

This same child born in Bethlehem was promised by God in the Creation account of “enmity between woman & serpent” (Gen. 3:15), This same child Immanuel was assured & predicted to be DAVID’S SON AS ETERNAL KING.  God promised & prophesied to be with us via VIRGIN BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH.  The Messiah destined to be The Good Shepherd standing in the Doorway between the adversary & mankind obtaining JESUS’ VICTORY OVER SATAN.  This same Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God the Father of Creation.  This same child will return as an adult; The Rider on the White Horse and on His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written:  KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  (Revelation to John; Rev. 19:11-16; 21-22).

Exhortation

The Creator is justified to store up wrath for humankind’s rebellion.  For the unbeliever & adversaries to God this wrath will be poured out upon them.  The believers & those who’ve accepted the blood of Jesus Christ, the wrath of God has been soothed.  The believer will receive eternal life.  The unbeliever will receive eternal death.

Altar Call/Suggested Response:

Accept Jesus’ birth & sacrificial work as the only substitute for your sin.  Believe that He died for you & was resurrected.  Confess Him as your savior.  Be reconciled with God & return to your Creator for fellowship.  Jesus is the bridge to salvation.  The gift of God to humankind.

• Candles (4):  Faith, Peace, Love & Hope. 
• Hand Candles Final Lighting.
• Glory in the Highest 
• Silent Night

Benediction:

Jesus Christ, you have set us free from sin and spiritual death.  Your birth marks the end of the OT Covenant and the Beginning of the NT Life Agreement.  Thank you for this true story of redemption, reconciliation, propitiation, guidance, warning, rescue, wisdom and hope of our salvation from evil and darkness. 

Holy Father, thank you for making this promise to us.  Your promise being kept, and Your love & justice being fully known & fully appreciated.  The Spirit of Christmas is The Father of Creation’s love story to us, for us & the Creator’s manifested glory forever more.  This gift exchange of forgiveness, thank you Jesus!  We exalt You & exult in the timeless hope stored up for them who are waiting for your second advent.  Come again, Lord Jesus come!  King of Kings Lord of Lords come & have your glory!  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  And all of God’s people said, Amen.  

Next Week:

Sources, Credits, Citations & Notes: 

1. Zondervan, Fire Bible Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Christ.
2. Translations: KJV, NKJV
3. "Isaiah 7 (KJV) - Therefore the Lord himself shall." Blue Letter Bible. Web. 24 Dec, 2024. |  "Matthew 1 (KJV) - Now the birth of Jesus." Blue Letter Bible. Web. 24 Dec, 2024.  | "Luke 1 (KJV) - And in the sixth month." Blue Letter Bible. Web. 24 Dec, 2024. 
4. A Christmas Story Poem by Dave Trenholm adapted from "Family Friendly Christmas Eve Worship - The Presbyterian Church in Canada HERE.

Soli Deo Gloria | “Glory to God Alone”