Gifts of Christmas

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. (Matt. 2:1-4)

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” [Micah 5:2]Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. (Matt. 2:5-7)

And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. (Matt. 2:8-10)

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. (Matt. 2:11-12)

Gifts of Christmas

Black Friday Madness!

Black Friday Madness!• A woman doused fellow Walmart

shoppers with Pepper Spray during a Black Friday eve bargain frenzy in suburban Los Angeles, injuring 20 people.

• Reuters reports that security personnel had to use Stun Guns and Pepper Spray to control frenzied or disorderly shoppers at a mall.

Black Friday Madness!• A man was shot and critically wounded by

robbers trying to steal newly purchased merchandise in a parking lot outside a Walmart on Black Friday morning near Oakland, CA.

• Walter Vance, 61 year old shopper at Target, collapsed on Black Friday morning in WV; yet nearby bargain hunters continued to shop, some even stepping over his body, according to local reports. He later died.

“Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents.”

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” John 3:16

Greatest Gift Giver & Greatest Gift

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV)

I. THE WISE MEN: WHY THEY CAME

I. THE WISE MEN: WHY THEY CAME

They came to worship the new King!

I. THE WISE MEN: WHY THEY CAME

A. Prophecies they may have heard: Daniel: “Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem [March 5, 444 BC] Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; [483 yrs/360 lunar days=17,880=March 30, 33AD] The street shall be built again, and the wall,Even in troublesome times.” (Dan. 9:25)

I. THE WISE MEN: WHY THEY CAME

A. Prophecies they may have heard:

Balaam: “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near;  A Star shall come out of Jacob;  A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,  And batter the brow of Moab,  And destroy all the sons of tumult.”(Num. 24:17)

I. THE WISE MEN: WHY THEY CAME

B. Phenomenon they saw:

I. THE WISE MEN: WHY THEY CAMEB. Phenomenon they saw: His Star

Pliny the Elder TacitusSuetonius

Roman Historians

I. THE WISE MEN: WHY THEY CAME

C. Perseverance they showed:

•Distance: 700 Miles

•Difficulty: Travel in that time

•Danger: Herod

They were determined to worship Him!

Cancel Worship on Christmas?

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

A. Gold:

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

A. Gold: Speaks of Sovereign Dominion

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

A. Gold: Sovereign Dominion

"Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” (Isa. 9:7)

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

B. Frankincense:

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

B. Frankincense: Speaks of Supreme Deity

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

B. Frankincense: Supreme DeityAnd the LORD said to Moses: “Take…pure frankincense with these sweet spices; there shall be equal amounts of each. You shall make of these an incense… and put some of it before the Testimony in the tabernacle of meeting where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. But as for the incense which you shall make, you shall not make any for yourselves, according to its composition. It shall be to you holy for the LORD. (Exodus 30:34-37)

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

B. Frankincense: Supreme Deity

“For unto us a Child is born [humanity], Unto us a Son is given [Deity]; And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6)

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

C. Myrrh:

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

C. Myrrh: Speaks of Sacrificial Death

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

C. Myrrh: Sacrificial Death

"They offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified Him..." (Mark 15:23)

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

C. Myrrh: Sacrificial Death

"And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury." (John 19:39-40)

II. THE WISE MEN: WHAT THEY BROUGHT

C. Myrrh: Sacrificial Death

"He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree." (1 Peter 2:24)

III. IF WE ARE WISE, WE WILL BRING HIM…

•Our Wealth

•Our Worship

•Our Witness

…THIS CHRISTMAS

Gifts of Christmas