Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
December 7, 1997
Luke 1:46-55
AUTO-FOCUS YOUR CHRISTMAS
I. Are you focused?
A. (Auto-focus camera, neat things... - use as prop)
B. Experiencing the miracle of Christmas requires focusing
on what truly honors God.
II. Everyone wants Christmas to be wonderful.
A. Americans - material things are the secret to pulling it off.
1) Catalogs make a fortune this time of year.
B. Material things were not central at original Christmas.
1) Money or possessions didn't matter to God.
2) He wanted love and trust.
C. Most people are not good at doing what God wants.
1) Look at yourself.
a) We don't tend to grasp God's desires, much less do them.
2) Mary was different.
a) This young peasant girl had a deep faith.
b) She recognized God's call, and acted on it.
III. God's plan began with a virgin.
A. He tells her exactly what's going to happen.
1) God doesn't tend to get involved overtly in our world.
a) We often wish he would make his intentions more clear.
b) Usually he doesn't.
2) The angel has to remind her, "Nothing is impossible with God."
B. Mary displays a remarkable degree of understanding.
1) She is obedience, patient, humble, and holy.
2) "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
C. Mary is a model for all true Christians.
1) As Luther put it, the greatest miracle was not that Mary
conceived, but that she believed.
2) Her prayer of obedient submission,
"Let it be unto me according to thy word,"
anticipates that of her Son in Gethsemane,
"Not my will, but Thine be done."
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IV. Mary's focus.
A. She shows a deep knowledge of the Bible.
1) Her song recalls Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.**
2) Both women had babies who were used mightily of God.
3) Mary and Hannah had a sense of justice, with a difference.
a) Hannah has poor being raised to sit with nobles. 1S 2:8
b) Mary sees the nobles toppled from power. Lk 1:52
B. She acknowledges God as her Savior. 1:47
1) Catholic doctrine of "Immaculate Conception."
2) But only sinners need a savior.
3) Her song begins and ends with FOCUS on God, not herself.
C. She believes God can do great things.
1) For herself.
2) For her people the Jews.
a) Many signs to contrary.
1> Roman occupation of her land.
b) Like Habakkuk, she rejoices through faith, more than sight.
V. What do you really want this Christmas?
A. We want the continuing miracle of God's involvement in our lives.
1) But we are still tempted to value material world over the
spiritual.
2) The heart of Christmas is in the spiritual.
Jo Carr tells about a children's Christmas program she once
attended.
All the songs had been sung, and the candles lit.
The shepherds had come to peek at the baby, and the wise men
had brought their gifts.
Then all the cast in the story of the first Christmas began
to leave... wise men, shepherds, angels.
Only Mary and Joseph and the child remained.
Then Joseph turned to go.
And Mary, glancing back at the crib, began to follow.
But suddenly she turned back, snatched up the baby doll by
the foot, threw it under her arm, and left."
It was that final episode that struck Jo Carr.
Mary had almost forgotten Jesus.
Then, suddenly, she remembered and fiercely clutched him
under her arm.
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B. Learn to get a focus on what's truly God-honoring.
1) Rejoice in God your Savior.
2) Pray like Mary, "Lord, I want to glorify you in this season."
C. Ways to honor God this season.
1) Tuck a special song in your heart.
a) [Joy To The World, like a mantra]
2) Ask God to put someone on your heart you can help financially.
a) Some in our church have already done this, with
gratifying results.
3) Consider giving a Christmas pardon to someone you've locked
out of your life.
a) Clemency, like a governor.
b) How NOT to do it:
"In spite of the truly stinky things you've done to me,
in a spirit of peace and goodwill, I'm extending to you
a most undeserved but magnanimous pardon. Now start to
show you deserve it!"
4) Add a Christian touch to your decorating.
a) Put presents in a manger instead of under a tree.
b) Small things like this can put your focus right.
5) Find a place for a quiet half-hour of meditation each week.
a) Personal Bible study on Old Testament prophecies.
6) Help Salvation Army, or Angel Tree project.
7) Go to Christmas Eve service, and to Cantata.
8) Write a yearly Christmas letter to Jesus.
a) Helps to focus your spiritual thoughts.
b) After several years, it is like a journal.
VI. Majoring in the majors.
A. Don't get caught up in so many secondary things you miss
the primary ones.
B. Mary shows us how to go in the right direction.
C. Gifts and Santa have their (small) place, but Jesus is the
true miracle of the season.
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Adapted from Advent Spiritual Adventure, Sermon 2, by David Mains
