United Presbyterian Church  2360 Longwood Ave., Reedsport, OR 97467  (541) 271-3214.  Pastor: (541) 218 7657

   Sunday Service: 10:30.  Office and Pastor's Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 til 2:00; Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30.


         Last updated: 12/28/2022

Chistmas, December 25, 2022

Sermon

Last week I spoke on dreams, one of which was when I was young and running with a fishing pole and tackle box, when I came to a large mud puddle which, when I went to jump, my foot slipped and I ended up on my back, struck dumb by the realization that I had dreamt this the night before—right down to the minutest detail.  It scared me.

This morning we read where Joseph was going to dismiss Mary quietly due to her pregnancy.  But, while sleeping he was told by an angel—in a dream— that the baby was, indeed, by God.  Fortunately, Joseph believe the apparition in his dream.

The world is so fortunate to have had this event.  Today our world is out of alignment with truth.  Nobody but a few Christians believe…and many of them are skeptical.  And well they should be, after all, immaculate conceptions were unheard of; as were miracle healers who are killed, but then arise. This is harder to believe than what science fiction and fantasy writers could ever dream up.

So, why should we believe?

Well, there’s a couple of different reasons.  One is the Old Testament itself—so many predictions of His coming, the longest and most accurate of which is Isaiah 53.  The Old Testament is the Jewish Bible, which is wonderful.

Why wonderful?  Because if it wasn’t for the fact that the prophecies are in the Jewish Bible, people could say that we Christians made it up.  But now they can’t say that because it’s Jewish, not Christian—even though we do incorporate it into our own Bible studies. 

Incorporate, not change.

The question should be, “Why was Jesus born?”

Why?

Because there are two realities or realms.  We live in the purely physical, but the true reality is the spiritual.  The goal of the physical reality is to attain the spirit reality, and not everybody can.

The difference between physical and spiritual realms is this: the physical realm is temporary, whereas the spiritual realm is eternal.  The teachings of Jesus are for those who are worthy may become a part of eternity.

Jesus was sent here as a baby who was born of flesh in order to be able to both reach and teach us how to live in order to attain the Spiritual and eternal life. 

With the out pouring of the Holy Spirit, those who both believe and live the teachings, attain eternity—a realm devoid of sickness, war and self-centeredness.  

It is no wonder that the angels sang when He was born. 

 

To live apart from the spiritual reality brings chaos, which we’re seeing today—a time when everything is falling apart due to either spiritual apathy—or following a false spirituality.  We’re in an era when people think that they should not be deprived of anything they want to do.  An era of disgusting, revealing clothing flaunted by movie stars with little or no morés.

The flat truth is that we were meant to live, work and play ethically and morally. 

Jesus was born so we might learn these things.  They’re all in the Gospel so we can live moral lives that are connected to God via the Holy Spirit. 

Today Jesus—who many believe is a fantasy—has been replaced by Santa Claus—who is a fantasy.  The Christmas season is no longer a celebration of the birth of Yeshua the Christ, but by the celebration of the truly unreal.

 

Let us get real and worship the holiest moment on planet earth—the Birth of Christ—teacher, revealer, Son of God.