O Holy Night Background:
In 1847, French Lawyer/Poet, Placide Cappeau wrote poem on Luke 2. Moved to ask Jewish composer friend Adolph Adams in Paris to write a melody for it.
In 1906, Reginald Fessenden, a 33 yr old professor, invented sound through wireless telegraph. On Christmas Eve, Reginald read Luke 2 then played O Holy Night on violin.
Luke 2 is more than a Christmas story.
- Fulfills Genesis 3; Numbers 24:17; Micah 5:2; Jeremiah 31:15; Hosea 11:1; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7.
- Christmas, God keeping promise to make things right, Jesus is the example for all followers of God to pattern their life after.
Philippians 1:29-2:1
“Is there any hope in the world?” – We still ask this don’t we?
- Christmas is difficult for a lot of us.
If this is you, Paul gives instruction on where we can go from here.
- Philippians 2:2-4
- vs 2 “agreeing wholeheartedly” = direct your mind towards others.
- vs 3 “don’t be selfish” = don’t be focused only on your own interests.
- vs 3 Don’t try to impress others by doing good.
- vs 3 “better than” = over me. I place self in position to serve.
The secret sauce to getting through Christmas is to direct my attention to others, their interests, and not to try and impress people but to serve.
Why? Because this is what Jesus did at Christmas.
Philippians 2:5-6 (the attitude of Jesus)
- He was God
- If anyone has the right to be catered to, to be served and adored, it was Jesus.
- In Christmas story, he comes as a commoner, poor, unknown.
Christmas story is a demonstration of the life we are to live.
- Jesus voluntarily gave up his right, his position/status
- Phil 2:7a This is how every journey with God must begin.
- Is there a part of your life that you have not yielded to God?
2. Jesus voluntarily positioned himself to serve.
- Phil 2:7b He went from being all-powerful Creator to defenseless baby in a feeding trough.
- It’s hard to wash someone’s feet if you’re standing over them
- You can’t have his attitude while keeping score, out-doing others, comparing yourself to them.
3. Jesus voluntarily laid down his life for God’s will, our good.
- Phil 2:8 Christmas is the starting line for Jesus’ death/sacrifice
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Jesus went from King to Servant, to sin itself so he could become our sacrifice.
APPLICATION:
- What if Jesus came as King? Our goal is always to get on top.
- What if Jesus hadn’t served/died? We’d be without hope.
- What have I not given up rights to?
- Who am I keeping score with?
- Have I chosen to lay down my life in surrender to God’s will?