WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:17.740 As we get started this evening, I'd like to invite the kids to join me up here on the 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:19.000 steps for just a minute. 00:00:19.160 --> 00:00:21.539 That is whoever feels like a kid. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:25.160 You can, whatever age you want to be, you're welcome up here. 00:00:26.060 --> 00:00:28.140 Anybody in here excited about Christmas? 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:29.240 Yeah. 00:00:29.240 --> 00:00:29.760 Yeah. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.859 All right. 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:36.000 We have been talking all through the month of December up here on these steps. 00:00:36.119 --> 00:00:37.240 Some of you have been here. 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:40.859 We've been talking about things that kids get excited about, about Christmas, right? 00:00:41.420 --> 00:00:46.620 We talked about lights and food and songs and family. 00:00:46.980 --> 00:00:49.799 And I think we're all out of things for people to be excited about. 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:50.659 Is there any? 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:51.579 No? 00:00:51.980 --> 00:00:52.159 No? 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:54.039 Presents. 00:00:54.039 --> 00:00:54.240 Presents. 00:00:54.340 --> 00:00:57.780 I did promise we would talk about presents tonight, didn't I? 00:00:57.780 --> 00:01:02.000 Is anybody here going to get any gifts this year? 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:03.000 You think? 00:01:03.160 --> 00:01:03.719 Maybe? 00:01:04.120 --> 00:01:04.599 Hmm. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:06.079 Maybe. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:07.260 Yeah. 00:01:07.519 --> 00:01:12.200 Well, all of these things we've been talking about tell us something about Jesus, don't 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:12.540 they? 00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:14.140 Tons of stuff. 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:17.159 And that's the same thing with gifts. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:17.519 Okay? 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:23.640 You know, the very best gifts, they will tell you something about the person who's receiving 00:01:23.640 --> 00:01:24.340 the gift. 00:01:24.659 --> 00:01:24.980 Okay? 00:01:24.980 --> 00:01:31.760 Like if you get lots of books tomorrow, it's probably because you like to read, right? 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:36.920 Or if somebody gives you a Lego set, it may be that that person knows that that's just 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:40.900 the Lego set that you don't have and that you really like to build Legos. 00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:43.719 You know what my family gives me every year? 00:01:44.080 --> 00:01:45.080 Who knows what this is? 00:01:45.320 --> 00:01:45.840 Deodorant. 00:01:46.020 --> 00:01:46.540 Deodorant. 00:01:46.540 --> 00:01:47.400 Every year. 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:49.880 And I've been trying to figure out what it means. 00:01:49.879 --> 00:01:52.920 I think it means that they really like the way I smell. 00:01:53.519 --> 00:01:55.560 And so they give me this every year. 00:01:55.659 --> 00:01:55.920 Isn't that? 00:01:55.920 --> 00:01:58.099 That means that you smell better than you smell. 00:01:58.119 --> 00:01:58.519 Oh. 00:01:58.840 --> 00:01:59.359 Is that what they? 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:00.399 Yeah, probably. 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:00.879 Yeah. 00:02:02.259 --> 00:02:02.699 Hmm. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:04.439 Okay. 00:02:04.659 --> 00:02:09.000 Well, I brought a different gift besides deodorant for y'all tonight. 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:09.500 Okay? 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:12.460 And I'll get to that in just a second. 00:02:12.579 --> 00:02:13.800 We'll make sure you all get something. 00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:17.319 But I want to let you know, because some of you are already disappointed, that it's not 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:17.659 edible. 00:02:18.019 --> 00:02:19.340 That means you can't eat it. 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:19.900 Okay? 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:23.680 And I know you wanted candy canes, but maybe next year. 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:26.560 But listen to me for one more minute, okay? 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:27.900 I want to tell you something about gifts. 00:02:29.159 --> 00:02:33.199 God is the very best giver of all. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:40.520 Like God gives joy to the world because he knows that the world can be a dark and sad place. 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:45.719 But especially at Christmas, what gift do we remember that God gave at Christmas? 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:45.819 Jesus. 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:49.120 That he gave us Jesus. 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:50.259 That is right. 00:02:50.920 --> 00:02:55.439 Did you know that that's actually the reason why we give gifts at Christmas? 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:59.400 Kids, did y'all know that that's why we give gifts to one another? 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:05.219 Because on that very first Christmas, God gave us the very best gift ever, didn't he? 00:03:05.219 --> 00:03:06.219 He gave us the very best gift ever, didn't he? 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:06.560 He gave us the very best gift ever. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:07.639 He gave us Jesus. 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:07.800 Jesus. 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:12.500 You might have heard when we were reading the Christmas story earlier from the Bible, what 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:21.099 we read earlier, that today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:23.400 God knows us really well, doesn't he? 00:03:23.400 --> 00:03:23.840 Yes. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:25.060 He does. 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:26.159 He knows that. 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:28.180 You know what it means that he gave us a Savior? 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:32.560 Savior, it means that God knows that we need saving, doesn't he? 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:39.680 That we're not perfect, that we're in the dark on our own, that we sin and we need a Savior. 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:45.240 We need someone to forgive our sins, to rescue us from our selfishness. 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:48.300 So that's the first thing that the gift of Jesus tells us. 00:03:48.600 --> 00:03:51.560 But I want y'all to listen to one more thing it tells us about us. 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:59.280 The gift of Jesus shows us how precious, how special we are to God. 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:00.159 Can you remember that? 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:05.100 The fact that God would give his very own son to you. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:10.760 Can you imagine somebody wrapping up his own son and sending him to give him to you for Christmas? 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:16.079 That's what God does because he loves you so much. 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:22.240 So this year, when you open gifts, I want you to remember who gives the very best gift? 00:04:23.659 --> 00:04:24.519 God does. 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:29.639 And he gives us Jesus because he loves you so much. 00:04:29.719 --> 00:04:31.180 Will y'all pray with me for just a second? 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:35.620 Let's close our eyes and pray, okay? 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:40.599 Jesus, we thank you so much for being born at Christmas. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:50.139 God, thank you for the gift of your son who shows us your love, who comes to save us from our sins. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:57.339 We are so thankful for Jesus and for all the chances we have to give and receive gifts and celebrate that perfect gift. 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:01.800 I pray that these kids would know that gift and know how much you love them. 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:03.939 And we pray it in Jesus' name. 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:04.939 Amen. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:06.219 Thank you. 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:12.640 Now listen, as you go down, some of my helpers are going to give you something as a gift. 00:05:12.900 --> 00:05:13.780 Do you know what these are? 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:16.100 These are glow sticks. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:21.720 And they're a special gift on Christmas Eve because some of you probably don't want to hold a candle tonight. 00:05:22.320 --> 00:05:24.400 It's okay if you do, if your parents let you. 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:29.200 But if you'd rather hold a glow stick and light this up when we sing Silent Night Later, 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:35.759 you can use this or you can take it home and use it and it will remind you that Jesus is the light of the world 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:39.740 and that he gives you his light all the time, okay? 00:05:39.899 --> 00:05:43.139 So that's what this gift is going to remind you about yourself. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:46.860 He loves you so much that he gives you light in your life, okay? 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:53.719 So as you go back, Miss Angela is going to take this box and she's going to make sure everybody gets one, okay? 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:58.140 Especially the littlest kids and if we run out, big kids, you share yours, okay? 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:12.400 I suspect that we all have stories of gifts that prove the point that the best gifts will tell you something about the one who's getting them. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:19.179 The one I most associate with Christmas Eve is from the movie A Christmas Story, 00:06:19.539 --> 00:06:25.819 which for years I think has played 24 hours a day on some station on Christmas Eve. 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:28.319 So that's an association for me. 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:38.299 Ralphie gets in that story a big pink bunny suit, which he does not like. 00:06:38.799 --> 00:06:42.139 And it tells you nothing about the person who's getting it. 00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:43.439 It's not a good gift at all. 00:06:43.539 --> 00:06:45.759 This is, it's not what Ralphie wants. 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:56.099 But later on Christmas morning, Ralphie gets the gift that he has been wanting and asking for all along. 00:06:56.099 --> 00:07:04.899 It is a Red Ryder BB gun, even though he's been warned that he might shoot his eye out. 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:09.879 Even though his mother is sure that it's not safe. 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:18.319 At the very end of Christmas, his father knows that it's what Ralphie really wants, what he's been longing for. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:22.699 And so he pulls it out at the very end and Ralphie is happy. 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:30.920 Matthew tells us in his gospel that a few months after the first Christmas Eve, 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:37.319 Jesus gets some gifts that tell us some very important things about him. 00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:46.399 Contrary to many of our Christmas decorations and things that you might have heard, the wise men are not at the manger, okay? 00:07:46.599 --> 00:07:47.839 That's not how it went. 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:51.040 I don't want to ruin Christmas for you, but they weren't there. 00:07:52.180 --> 00:08:00.259 They visit Jesus as a small child in a tiny home several months after Jesus is born. 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:03.740 They come following a star, that's true. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.680 They come looking for a king, that's true. 00:08:06.899 --> 00:08:08.959 They want to worship him. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:17.120 And the primary point of their story is that Jesus is that king. 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:20.399 Born a child and yet a king. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:23.360 This is Christ the king. 00:08:23.719 --> 00:08:25.759 That's what the wise men are highlighting. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:37.779 He is the promised Messiah who, as the prophets tell us, will receive treasures from the kings of the nations who will come and bow before him. 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:43.360 And here, just a few years into his life, it happens already. 00:08:43.939 --> 00:08:47.879 Matthew chapter 2, listen to verse 11. 00:08:47.879 --> 00:09:00.220 Going into the house, the wise men saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:08.879 Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:18.279 The clearest thing that these gifts tell us about Jesus is how valuable, how worthy he is. 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:21.919 These foreign dignitaries have traveled for months. 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:23.899 They've brought expensive gifts. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:29.120 It says they're treasures, the things that were most precious and valuable that they could come up with. 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:32.200 And then they worshipped Jesus. 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:35.279 That doesn't happen very often, right? 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:38.259 This is a unique child. 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:40.220 He is worthy of worship. 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:45.059 He's worthy of our very best gifts. 00:09:46.059 --> 00:09:48.879 Of our disrupting our lives, even. 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:51.000 To encounter him. 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:55.399 To be able to bow before him. 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:59.759 I hope that's part of your Christmas plans, my Christmas plans. 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:06.700 Having whatever else might be on your agenda, disrupted by the fact that King has come. 00:10:06.700 --> 00:10:09.480 That he's worthy of all of your worship. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:10.660 All of your attention. 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:14.320 All of your time to be focused on him. 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:20.240 Maybe you've never really encountered Jesus before. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:27.560 Or maybe you've forgotten how worthy he is of every moment, of every day. 00:10:27.660 --> 00:10:30.160 Y'all, worship is not a halfway thing. 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:32.760 It's not something we just play around with. 00:10:32.900 --> 00:10:33.200 We don't… 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:34.440 You can't just bow a little. 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:44.160 If someone is worthy of worship, he's a king not worthy just of a season of songs and parties and as much fun as that is. 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:51.040 He's worthy of rejoicing with exceedingly great joy the whole year and our whole lives. 00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:53.400 That's why we sing, the Lord has come. 00:10:53.920 --> 00:10:56.420 Let earth receive her king. 00:10:56.419 --> 00:11:02.159 Let every heart, every heart prepare him room. 00:11:02.219 --> 00:11:05.639 How do you prepare room for a king in your heart? 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:07.699 It's not easy. 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:11.399 It involves getting off the throne yourself, right? 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:18.620 Preparing not to have things be all about you but to bow before his kind kingship. 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:30.460 But whether the wise men knew it or not, I want us to notice for a minute tonight how appropriate their specific gifts are. 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:36.820 How well they show us important things about Jesus, the one getting the gifts. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:40.500 Throughout the Bible, gold is the first one, right? 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:41.100 Three gifts. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.159 We don't know how many wise men. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.600 But the first gift was gold. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:45.519 And it always represents royalty. 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:47.779 We see that over and over. 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:51.539 Gold is for kings and this is no ordinary king. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:53.439 He gets gold for sure. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:12:04.019 Herod, even in this passage, recognizes that the promised Messiah, the anointed one, he's trouble for any other king. 00:12:04.579 --> 00:12:07.919 Because he's coming as the king of kings. 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:11.539 The one to whom all other kings bow. 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:14.459 God has sent us a king. 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:17.159 One who will rule justly. 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:21.139 One who will really bring peace once and for all. 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:25.799 One who will lead us to give our lives to what really matters. 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:29.740 If we'll accept his rule over us. 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:32.759 That he's the one who calls all the shots. 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:35.819 The second gift is frankincense. 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:43.560 Frankincense would have made the Jewish readers of Matthew's gospel think of God's presence being right there. 00:12:43.560 --> 00:12:48.740 Think of their relationship with Yahweh, God himself. 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:55.580 Because frankincense was used when priests offered sacrifices in the temple. 00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:58.640 That's where they would have thought of frankincense. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:01.399 They were offering it to God. 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:08.480 Here then is the young child, God with us. 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:10.559 Emmanuel, right? 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:20.439 The wonder of wonders that a God would humble himself to be born into this world. 00:13:20.440 --> 00:13:23.920 The word made flesh. 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:30.940 Have you marveled at the incarnation of Jesus yet in this Christmas season? 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:34.520 Have you taken a moment to say, unbelievable. 00:13:35.800 --> 00:13:42.160 Here is the one who as our great high priest brings us into God's presence. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:50.219 Who restores our relationship with God by offering the incense of a fragrant sacrifice. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:55.179 Which brings us to the final gift that they bring Jesus. 00:13:56.959 --> 00:13:57.399 Myrrh. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:00.839 Again, a very valuable gift. 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:04.179 It's honoring Jesus as worthy. 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:09.259 But this is a really unusual gift at a birth. 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:16.659 Because myrrh is a spice, as many of you know, that among other things is used to prepare a body for burial. 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.960 It's used at death. 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:20.639 Not at birth. 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:29.059 John 19 tells us it was used on Jesus' own body just some 30 years after this. 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:34.919 Now again, quite likely this was not the intention of the wise men. 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:38.220 They couldn't have foreseen all of this in detail. 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:42.319 But it is a gift that tells us something quite important. 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:46.919 And again, quite surprising about the young child. 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:49.019 I mean, first a king already? 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:54.939 And then a divine priest to mediate God's presence? 00:14:56.220 --> 00:15:01.220 And now a child born to die? 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:09.879 That third reality, as shocking as it may seem to us, is fundamental to who Jesus is. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.840 It's fundamental to the message of Christmas. 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:16.420 It's not just all happy, happy at Christmas. 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:22.379 In order to restore our relationship with God, our king will give his life. 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:25.240 A sacrifice for sinners. 00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:28.819 See, sinners are the ones who have earned death, right? 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:30.919 Sinners are the ones who should be given myrrh. 00:15:31.479 --> 00:15:33.719 We're the ones who are going to need that. 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:39.139 But this divine king has come way down, hasn't he? 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:41.680 To associate with sinners. 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:44.360 To stand in their place. 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:46.580 In fact, to rescue them. 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:48.180 That's why he's born. 00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:50.759 He's come to save sinners. 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:52.779 It's in his very name. 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:59.440 Three gifts for Jesus that show us wonderful things about him. 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:08.200 But as these gifts even demonstrate, they are not themselves the most important gifts given in the Christmas story. 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:11.700 They were really more like first birthday gifts anyway, right? 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:14.420 The best gift, kids? 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:16.840 The perfect gift of Christmas? 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.480 What was the best gift of Christmas? 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.040 Jesus. 00:16:22.420 --> 00:16:26.520 Jesus himself is that best gift. 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:30.740 The king that God has promised for centuries is who? 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:33.019 God himself. 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:37.360 Providing restoration of relationship through his own presence. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:40.860 Through the fragrant sacrifice of himself. 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:45.360 The Lord of life who will be buried. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:51.360 That his precious people that he loves will be raised forever. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:58.800 However, I suspect we're all going to open some gifts in the days ahead. 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:03.940 Some of them will probably be more fitting and more exciting than others. 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:11.500 As you open gifts this year, I really hope that you will remember what I told the kids to remember. 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:14.839 That God is the best giver. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:17.640 So he gives the perfect gift. 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:21.940 He knows what we need without even asking. 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.580 We have to ask, what do you want? 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.680 What do you want for Christmas? 00:17:24.820 --> 00:17:25.360 What do you need? 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.960 Even our families we have to ask. 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:31.060 God knows what you need without even asking. 00:17:31.300 --> 00:17:33.580 It's not just a little deodorant. 00:17:34.320 --> 00:17:37.220 We have a much bigger problem than that, don't we? 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:41.400 A little deodorant is the least of my worries, okay? 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:45.000 We have a big need. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.320 And God sends his son. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:53.759 He comes to be born to meet that need. 00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:56.740 Our need for relationship with him. 00:17:57.280 --> 00:18:03.900 A king to lead us in the way that we were created to live with purpose in our lives. 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:09.780 A priest to keep us in the presence of the holy God that we were made to live with. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:18.000 By also being the sacrifice that would stand in our place and die for us. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:25.339 If you always know what to do and how to live all the time. 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.559 If you've never felt alone. 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:33.420 You always meet your own moral standards as well as those of others. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:39.059 If you've got a purpose that will carry you beyond your own mortality. 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:45.000 Then maybe you would say you don't really need Jesus. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:50.099 But friend, I would ask you tonight. 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:54.940 Have you ever felt insufficient for a situation that you're in before? 00:18:56.259 --> 00:19:00.960 Have you ever been disappointed in yourself and how you've responded in a tough spot? 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:08.359 Have you ever longed for living and loving beyond this world? 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:10.440 And felt like that's what I'm meant for. 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:13.460 I was meant to live and love forever. 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:15.840 If you've ever felt like that. 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:22.279 Then Jesus is the perfect gift for you to receive this Christmas. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:25.160 He is exactly what you need. 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.079 It's why he came. 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:31.140 One other thing that makes Jesus the perfect gift. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.740 I'll explain it this way. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:38.900 One of the best gifts I ever received was years ago. 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:49.000 When one of my very young daughters at the time wanted for Christmas to give me her favorite baby doll. 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.680 No, I didn't really need that. 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:57.080 Not the gift I most needed. 00:19:57.079 --> 00:20:03.839 But she was trying to communicate with that how valuable I was to her, right? 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:06.059 How much she loved me. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:10.859 That she would give me something that precious to her. 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.460 Please hear this. 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.559 That's God's heart for you. 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:27.220 At Christmas, God sends his beloved son from his side to our world, to our suffering, to our sin. 00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:29.779 Showing us not only how much we need him. 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:30.839 That is true. 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:35.339 But also how much he loves us. 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:39.059 How precious we are to him. 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:41.179 Yes, we need a savior. 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:50.919 And yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only son. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:53.179 What did he give? 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:55.659 It was the most precious thing that he could. 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:59.500 This is his son, his eternal companion. 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:04.659 His beloved co-divine king. 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:10.320 The son of God will sing love's pure light. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:13.019 The newborn king. 00:21:13.540 --> 00:21:15.600 The everlasting lord. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.620 The prince of peace. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:19.759 The son of righteousness. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.820 The incarnate deity. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.540 Emmanuel. 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:28.259 The promised savior. 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:31.560 That's who he gives us. 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:36.599 As Jesus cries in the manger. 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:41.919 As Jesus cries on the cross. 00:21:42.679 --> 00:21:48.819 As Jesus cries with joy to bring us home with him. 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.099 You can know. 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:56.079 You should see in those tears that you are precious to God himself. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.700 He loves you. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:22:00.159 He gives his son for you. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:02.240 No matter what you feel in this world. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:05.640 Whether you get everything you wanted this Christmas. 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:10.519 Or whether you get no other gift the rest of this season. 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:14.440 You get the one that you most need. 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:18.580 It shows you not just what you need. 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:21.920 But that gift shows you best what you're worth. 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:23.580 To the one who made you. 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.740 And came back for you. 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:27.740 And will never leave you. 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.740 Joy. 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:28.819 Joy. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:31.620 Joy to the world. 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:35.240 God gave you his son. 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:39.180 To give you everlasting life. 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.240 Merry Christmas. 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.599 From God himself. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:49.180 This table is a celebration of that perfect gift. 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:52.319 It's why we celebrate it every Christmas Eve. 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:56.599 Jesus on the very night that he was betrayed. 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:59.619 Sat with his disciples. 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.559 And he took bread. 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.579 And he broke it. 00:23:03.419 --> 00:23:04.859 And he gave it to his disciples. 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:06.759 As I'm ministering in his name. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.179 Give this bread to you. 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:10.000 He said take eat. 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:12.359 This is my body given for you. 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:14.700 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:17.259 And in the same manner after supper. 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:18.659 He took the cup and said. 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:21.620 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.000 Shed for many. 00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:25.060 For the forgiveness of sins. 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.740 Drink from it all of you. 00:23:27.060 --> 00:23:28.800 For as often as you eat this bread. 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.360 And drink this cup. 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:32.400 You proclaim the Lord's death. 00:23:32.800 --> 00:23:33.680 Until he comes. 00:23:34.560 --> 00:23:35.759 You say my hope. 00:23:36.120 --> 00:23:36.960 Is in a God. 00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.980 Who would come. 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.040 And love me enough. 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.480 To give his very life. 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.560 For me. 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:43.779 That's where my hope is. 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:47.960 If Jesus is a gift. 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.879 That you think. 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:51.519 Not for me. 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:55.420 I'm fine with coming to church at Christmas. 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:57.019 Somebody talked me into it. 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:59.920 But I don't stake my life on Jesus. 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.359 Every day. 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.500 Then don't take this bread. 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:06.180 And this wine tonight. 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:09.119 We would still invite you to come here. 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.940 In a couple of minutes. 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:11.099 When we come forward. 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.599 We'd invite you to come. 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.559 And pray with us. 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:15.359 As we'll be praying with every group. 00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:17.859 But we would especially want you to consider. 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:19.299 Receiving the gift. 00:24:20.439 --> 00:24:21.500 Not of bread and wine. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.359 But of Jesus himself. 00:24:23.459 --> 00:24:25.219 And the everlasting life. 00:24:25.219 --> 00:24:28.179 That he offers in relationship with him. 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.699 It's offered freely to you. 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.839 By the one who made you. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.619 And loves you. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:34.639 And he offers it to you tonight. 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:38.339 If you have received that gift. 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:41.099 If the gift of Jesus by faith. 00:24:41.199 --> 00:24:42.519 Has become your treasure. 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:43.579 Possession. 00:24:43.699 --> 00:24:45.679 If he's the one in whom you find life. 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.740 In his death. 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:48.659 Is your hope of life eternal. 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:50.759 Then whether this is your church home. 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.699 At Southwood or not. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:54.319 You come and eat with us. 00:24:54.439 --> 00:24:55.719 If you're a member in this church. 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.019 Great. 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.679 If you're a member in another church. 00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:58.879 Perhaps here in town. 00:24:58.959 --> 00:24:59.699 Maybe somewhere else. 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.480 Visiting tonight. 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:02.079 This is your family. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.480 It's not our table. 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.799 It's Jesus' table. 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:07.319 And he welcomes you to come. 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.680 And taste. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.460 And remember as you do. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:13.619 That you are his treasure. 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:15.299 That he loves you so much. 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:17.220 That he came to give himself to you. 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:19.359 Let's pray and we'll celebrate together. 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:22.659 Jesus for this gift. 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:24.059 We give you great thanks. 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:26.779 And we pray that as you meet us now. 00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:27.759 By your spirit. 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:31.019 Would you set aside very normal elements. 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:34.539 That while they don't change. 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:36.059 They would change us. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:39.279 They would do something by your spirit. 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.399 In our hearts. 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:42.639 That would grow faith in us. 00:25:43.159 --> 00:25:45.059 That would help us bear up. 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.839 Under the difficulties of life. 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:48.799 That would strengthen our trust in you. 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.779 That you're with us. 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.720 So we're not alone. 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:54.240 Lord would you meet us and help us to love you more. 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:57.059 As we taste and see your love for us. 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.960 In Jesus name. 00:25:59.460 --> 00:25:59.819 Amen. 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.440 For more information. 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.740 Visit us online at southwood.org.