True Story Truth in A Season of MythsRadical Christmas

Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

Luke 1:26-38

30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:26-38

34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:26-38

36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God."

38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

The Christmas Story

• Is true.

The Christmas Story

• Is rooted in history.

Luke 1:1-4

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

The Christmas Story

• Is rooted in history.

Luke 1:26-27 “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.”

The Christmas Story

• Is rooted in history.

• Fulfills ancient prophesy.

“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:16

The Christmas Story

• Is rooted in history.

• Fulfills ancient prophesy.

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

The Christmas Story

• Is rooted in history.

• Fulfills ancient prophesy.

“The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:32-33

The Christmas Story

• Is rooted in history.

• Fulfills ancient prophesy.

• Establishes God’s eternal kingdom that continues today.

The Christmas Story

“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

• Is the impossible story of salvation.

“Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" 27 Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Luke 18:26-27

Fairytale Christmas

John 4:19-26

"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

Fairytale Christmas

John 4:19-2621 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.

Fairytale Christmas

John 4:19-2623 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.“

Fairytale Christmas

John 4:19-2625 The woman said, "I know that

Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

26 Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

Fairytale Christmas

If we view Christ’s birth as merely myth:

• We don’t worship God in truth.

• The incarnation doesn’t impact our lives.

• We don’t believe that God intervenes.

John 8:31-32

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."”

Holding Truth Gives Freedom

• To see the plan of God in our lives.

• To know that God keeps his promises.

• To experience true forgiveness and new life.

• To celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Truth in A Season of MythsRadical ChristmasLuke 1:26-38