## Christ is Christmas

## Hebrews 1:1-4

THE BIG NEWS - In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news: Man had flown!

Many people today make a similar mistake when they hear the word Christmas. They don't think of Jesus and His miraculous birth. Instead, they think of family, gatherings, festive meals, decorations, and gifts. But if that's all that Christmas means to us, we are missing its true significance.

Have you ever wondered why we have Christmas? It's not just to give and get presents. It's not just to decorate the house. It's not just to have a holiday. As you no doubt have heard before, 'Jesus is the reason for the season!" Christmas truly is Christ. Without Him there really is no Christmas. Try to imagine what Christmas would be like without Christ. What a dismal thought. And yet millions try to celebrate this season without Him and no doubt fail miserably.

In a brief passage the writer of Hebrews summarizes what Jesus, as Son, came to earth to do. He didn't come just to give us the Christmas holiday; He came to give us much more.

I. Christ Revealed God's Person (v.3)

A. "Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person."

1. In every age men have tried to find out God in their own strength; and in every age they have failed.

2. The result of this quest is seen in the variety of philosophy and religion.

3. But we cannot know God except through His revelations of Himself to us.

4. To have true knowledge of God is to have eternal life.

5. Men strongly resist this truth.

B. Here we see that it is the Son who reveals the Father.

(JOHN 14:7) "IF YE HAD KNOWN ME, YE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN MY FATHER ALSO: AND FROM HENCEFORTH YE KNOW HIM, AND HAVE SEEN HIM."

1. Jesus told His disciples that they had already seen the Father.

2. Phillip questioned Him concerning this.

3. Jesus responded with a gentle rebuke.

(JOHN 14:8-9) "PHILIP SAITH UNTO HIM, LORD, SHOW US THE FATHER, AND IT SUFFICETH US. {9} JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, HAVE I BEEN SO LONG TIME WITH YOU, AND YET HAST THOU NOT KNOWN ME, PHILIP? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER; AND HOW SAYEST THOU THEN, SHOW US THE FATHER?"

C. Jesus Christ came to reveal God to us.

1. The incarnation is God becoming man.

2. And so to know God we must know Christ.

3. God gave us His Son and the Son gave us God.

II. Christ Revealed God's Power (v.3)

A. "Upholding all things by the word of his power."

1. This is intended to bring home to us the infinite ability of Christ.

2. He is fully competent for the work entrusted to Him.

3. He brings Divine power to the fulfillment of His mission.

B. Jesus Christ is not just God in name.

1. He is God in all of His power and glory.

2. Note: Colossians 1:14-17; 19

3. God Himself intervened for us. (2 COR 5:19) "TO WIT, THAT GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES UNTO THEM; AND HATH COMMITTED UNTO US THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION."

III. Christ Revealed God's Pardon (v.3)

A. "When he had by himself purged our sins."

1. This is what Christmas is all about.

2. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

3. The cross overshadowed the manger.

4. Jesus was born to die for you and for me.

B. Sin is man's supreme problem.

1. Paul said, "...Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners..." cf 1 Tim 1:15

(GAL 4:4-5) "BUT WHEN THE FULNESS OF THE TIME WAS COME, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, MADE OF A WOMAN, MADE UNDER THE LAW, {5} TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE UNDER THE LAW, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS."

2. This is what is missing from most people's thoughts on Christmas.

3. Note the poem:"THE REST OF THE STORY"

We are wont to sing of shepherds And the heavenly glory bright, Of angels and their message On that peaceful, holy night. But so oft we end the story When it's only just begun, For we fail to give the message That this Child is God the Son- Here to give Himself a ransom, Crucified on Calvary's tree, Through His blood providing pardon, Perfect cleansing, full and free. And the tomb, thank God, is empty; Jesus sits at God's right hand Now a loving, mighty Savior; Bear the news to every land.

IV. Christ Revealed God's Permanent Provision (v.3)

A. "Sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."

1. Not just as One who had completed His work, and could retire to enjoy His rest and reward.

2. But as One who, having done a preliminary part of His work, takes up a fitting position for permanently carrying it on.

3. The visions of Stephen, and of Paul at Damascus, indicate the activity of the glorified Christ.

B. Note: Hebrews 7:25

(HEB 7:25) "WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM."

1. Jesus completed the work of salvation on Calvary.

2. But He continues to intercede on our behalf.

I. Christ Revealed God's Person

II. Christ Revealed God's Power

III. Christ Revealed God's Pardon

IV. Christ Revealed God's Permanent Provision

Do you know God? He revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. That is what Christmas is about. It isn't about trees, candy canes, presents, chestnuts, holly, and egg nog! It is about God coming as a baby in a manger. The Lamb of God who was sacrificed for us, that our sins could be forgiven. Jesus revealed His person, power, pardon, and provision. Have you received the gift of eternal life?