The whole story about Christmas

Open with song 1: "Who is he in yonder stall?" Prayer

Announcements and prayer requests.

Advent candle. CHRIST candle.

Scripture: ** Lori

The promise of the SAVIOR.

Song 2: "Come thou long expected Jesus'

Lori

**Note: From the very beginning in the garden of Eden and man's sin, there was a need to be reunited with God.

As sinners there was a separation between God and man.

God is PERFECT and cannot be in association with evil.

But God had a plan which he revealed to man in scripture. That plan was to redeem man from the penalty of sin. DEATH!

Ref: Genesis 3:1 5 God's discussion with the serpent. The devil. The 1st reference in scripture telling of the birth of a savior.

Lori

**lsaiah 7:13-14 NIV (about 700 years before the birth of Jesus)

[1 3] Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? [1 4] Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emanuel. The Special Holy Child.

*Matthew 1:18-25 NIV

[1 8] This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. [1 9] Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. [20] But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: [23] "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). [24] When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. [25] But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Song 3: 'Angels we have heard on high".

Meet, greet, eat.

THE HOLY SACRIFICE

We cannot fix our sin separation from God.

The penalty for sin is death.

Instruction from God was: Don't eat of the fruit from the tree of "the knowledge of good and evil".

If you do, you will surely die.

Physical and spiritual death.

Who imposed that penalty and why?

Again: God is perfect and can't be associated with evil!!!

If man dies in his sin, he is lost and separated from God for ever.

But we don't have to die in our sin.

God made a way. He had a plan from the beginning. We need a HOLY SACRIFICE. (Spiritual)

Matthew 27:11-18 NIV

[1 1] Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews ?" "You have said so," Jesus replied. [1 2] When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. [1 3] Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" [14] But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—-to the great amazement of the governor. [1 5] Now it was the governor's custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. [1 6] At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. [17] So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?" [1 8] For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

Paula. Read the Christmas tree story.

Matthew 27:33-37 NIV

[33] They came to a place called Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull "). [34] There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. [35] When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. [36] And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. [37] Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Matthew 28:1-7 NIV

[1] After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. [2] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. [5] The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. [6] He is not here; he has risen just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

The penalty has been paid!!!!

Song 4: Low in the grave he lay (Chorus only)

Jesus had the victory over death.

He paid our penalty.

We no longer need to be separated from God.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!!!

COMMISSION: Go tell the story of Jesus!

Song: Go tell it on the mountain.

Final prayer.