Message Notes
A Fresh Look at Christmas
Today: Experiencing Christ in a New or Fresh Way
December 7, 2003

Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
   ³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
⁶ ”‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”
⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

How to Find Christ in a New or Fresh Way This Season:

1. Seek Him with TOTAL DESIRE (vs. 1-9)
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

 Genuine Seekers:

NOTICE what’s happening around them…
       ASK questions…
       DO whatever it takes to find the answer…

Note the different attitudes in:
                ·         Herod                                         HOSTILE
             ·         The religious leaders               INDIFFERENT
             ·         The magi                                    JOYFUL

2. Experience the JOY (vs. 10)
Luke 2:10 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.

John 10:10b I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

3.  Recognize the GIFT (vs. 11)
Colossians 1:15-16 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  ¹⁶ For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A prayer to begin a relationship with God:
Dear God, thank You for bringing me here.  I knew something was missing in my life, I just didn’t know it was you.  Thank You for seeking me even when I’ve ignored You.  Today, I recognize the gift that You sent at Christmas. Today, Jesus, I want to accept You into my life and I ask you to forgir me for all of the things I’ve done wrong.  I want to accept Your gift of help to help me in the present time.  I want to accept Your gift of eternal life for the future.  I ask You, Jesus Christ, to start changing me from the inside out beginning right now. In your name I pray, Amen.