Silent Night - Dec 2002

This is the time of year that is easy to get caught up in the rush of celebrating Christmas and forget that it is not about presents, it is about the birth a baby in the ancient near east. Two thousand years of history has changed our style of worship, our traditions, our languages, our cultures, our jobs, and our lifestyles, but it has not changed the simple fact that the salvation of the world came from the miracle birth of a baby born to a virgin in a stable.

Luke 2:6 - While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Christ was not born to receive gifts, but to be God’s gift of salvation to the world. As we rush to the mall, or to a party, or too a family celebration, and then on to church remember Christ never rushed to celebrate His birth, He rushed to save the world one soul at a time. This season is about celebrating the birth of the world’s true savior, not about presents and man made gifts. Celebrate the gift of eternal salivation, and share that gift with all that you meet. If you do that you will have a wonderful Christmas.

2 Corinthians 6:1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

HEB 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Merry Christmas to All, and Rejoice in the Savior’s Birth,

Frank Sharp
fsharptn@bellsouthtn.net

Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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	This is the time of year that is easy to get caught up in the rush of celebrating Christmas and forget that it is not about presents, it is about the birth a baby in the ancient near east. Two thousand years of history has changed our style of worship, our traditions, our languages, our cultures, our jobs, and our lifestyles, but it has not changed the simple fact that the salvation of the world came from the miracle birth of a baby born to a virgin in a stable. Luke 2:6 - While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Christ was not born to receive gifts, but to be God’s gift of salvation to the world. As we rush to the mall, or to a party, or too a family celebration, and then on to church remember Christ never rushed to celebrate His birth, He rushed to save the world one soul at a time. This season is about celebrating the birth of the world’s true savior, not about presents and man made gifts. Celebrate the gift of eternal salivation, and share that gift with all that you meet. If you do that you will have a wonderful Christmas. 2 Corinthians 6:1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. HEB 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Merry Christmas to All, and Rejoice in the Savior’s Birth, Frank Sharp fsharptn@bellsouthtn.net Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.