Worldwide Outreach Teaching School

By Founder & President

Dr. Meiman Lai Saidi

Title: Christmas Spirit-Blessed Are All Who Put Their Trust in Christ

Scriptures: The Second Chapter of Psalm, Daniel, Isaiah and Luke and Philippians 2:1-11.

Preface: Some people often fail to see Christ for the Christmas trees. 2006 years ago, God opened His heart to the world when Jesus was born, (The born of Jesus was written in the chapter 2 of Luke and Psalms) “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about”. 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger (Luke 2:15-16).

Christ in Greek for ‘Anointed one’, just as the English word ‘Messiah’ comes from the Hebrew word for “Anointed One’, and the English word “Christ” from the Greek word for “Anointed one” (see NIV text note on Matthew 1;17).. ‘Anointing was for special service like that of a priest or a king. But the Jews expected that one day God would send a very special deliverer. He would be not simply ‘an’ anointed but’ the ‘anointed’, the Messiah. It is this one whom the angel announces. Christ the Lord thus describes the child in the highest possible terms.

Commentary:

1. How would you define “the Christmas Spirit”? Would it be a Christmas tree with twinkling lights in a sea of brightly wrapped packages, or just that good feeling you get this time off of your school?

None of these elements captures the real meaning of the Christmas Spirit. There are two kinds of spirits distort the real spirit of Christmas:

1) Some people abuse the meaning of Christmas by changing “Merry Christmas” into “Happy Holiday” ONLY. I saw a sign on the main street of our city “Happy Holiday”, it means disagreement or unbelieving with Christ, because that sign is not like before used to have a sign, “Merry Christmas”. Now it is “Happy Holiday” instead of “Merry Christmas”.

2) Some people represent feelings that may be a response to the commercialism that distorts the real spirit of Christmas.

2. Mr. J.I. Packer goes to the heart of this matter in his book KNOWING GOD. He wrote, “We talk glibly of the Christmas Spirit, rarely meaning more by this than sentimental jollity…It ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the (temperament) of Him who for our sakes became poor,…the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor – spending and being spent – to enrich their fellowmen, giving time, thought, care, and concern to do good to others…in whatever way there seems need.”

3. Christmas Spirit is Jesus Christ’s Spirit. We have found the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7) just fulfill the prophecy about the birth place of the Christ (Micah.5:2).and the chapter 2 of Daniel, Isaiah, Psalms and Luke. God works through all kinds of people to effect His purposes.

4. Christ in Greek for ‘Anointed one’, just as the English word ‘Messiah’ comes from the Hebrew word for “Anointed One’, and the English word “Christ” from the Greek word for “Anointed one” (see NIV text note on Matthew 1;17).. ‘Anointing was for special service like that of a priest or a king. But the Jews expected that one day God would send a very special deliverer. He would be not simply ‘an’ anointed but’ the ‘anointed’, the Messiah. It is this one whom the angel announces. Christ the Lord thus describes the child in the highest possible terms.

As the second half of chapter 2 of Psalm proclaims the blessedness of all who acknowledge the lordship of God and his anointed and ‘take refuge in Him’(Ps.1-2).

5. Christmas Spirit is GOD of heaven and earth as laying aside His divine glory and becoming our servant by dying on the cross for our sins. He urged us to duplicate that same mind of humble service to others. That is the true Christmas spirit. (Philippians 2:1-11)

Conclusions:

“So now be wise; be warned: He is the rulers of the earth. (Psalms 2:10)”. “He will judge between the nations (Isaiah 2:4) “This is what Isaiah saw 2:2In the last days,

the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples (Isaiah 2:2-4).” [1]

“Serve the LORD with fear , and rejoice with trembling. (Psalms 2:11)”. “Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty! 11The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. 12The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),” “You be destroyed in your way, as Isaiah 2: “18 and the idols will totally disappear. 19Men will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.”

The wonderful Christmas gift God has given to us – Christ Spirit – and receive Him into our hearts. There is a song: Into my heart,

Into my heart (2x)

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;

Come in today, come in to stay.

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Have you asked Jesus Christ come into your heart?

Christ Spirit is by being comfort from his love, fellowship with Christ’s Spirit and purpose; Desire to die our old bad habits on the cross. Do nothing out of selfish ambition …look everything not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. been imitating Christ’s humility

Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalms 2:12). “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:20). Whose spirit from being united with Christ, Jesus, who made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:1-11)
We need worship because we are unique creatures made in the image of God. We are made for God, so we can’t fulfill or purpose unless we develop a right relationship with Him. Our hearts are lifted out of this temporal world into God’s eternal world when we worship. In worship, our conscience is quickened by the holiness of God; Our minds are fed by the truth of God; Our imaginations are purged by the beauty of devoted to the purpose of God. Then, we are helped onward in our goal of becoming more like Him. Let’s decide now that on Sunday we will be in church, because what you worship determines what you become.

Questions:

What is meant by “the last days” (Isaiah 2:2; Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2)?
“Messiah” is Hebrew for “anointed one.” Who is the “messiah” (Psalms 2:2)?
Who is God’s “son” in verses 7 and 12 of Psalms (see 2 Samuel 7:12-16)?
What are four motives for living in unity with Christ spirit (Philippians 2:1-4)?