God's Christmas Preparations

"God chose us in Himself before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He prepared us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and His will....

In Jesus Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us." Ephesians 1:4-7 This third week in December I sallied forth to see Potomac Mills and Spotsy Mall in their Christmas revelry. There were hordes of Christmas shoppers racing 'round the floors. The face of haggard sales clerks could be seen in all the stores. Some customers were lined ten deep to honor the tradition of charging on plastic what they don't have - a risky proposition.

One scene sticks in my mind as I speak of a quest for the Toy Story dog. A footsore clerk shook a "No" with his head and said, "Try the catalog." I saw many a pillow-stuffed Santa with kids upon their knees listening patiently 'bout X-Men, Barbies, and Hercules. Yes, the malls were all a bustle in the midst of preparations. They came; they saw; they purchased in their Christmas time migrations.

But merchants are not the only ones that seem to have a reason to schedule, to premeditate, to get ready for this season. Also homes prepare for the coming of the King. Sweets are baked, lights are strung, songs are sung by Bing. Evergreens are purchased, crooked trunks and bare spots all. Some are clipped, some are chopped, some found a bit too tall.

Young ones eyes are glowing as trees become displays of a thousand twinkling colored lights which rival Milky Ways. Cookie cutters covered with flour, sugar sprinkles on dough, manger, angels, trains and candy, and, we hope, some snow! Festive, warm, inviting are our homes this time of year preparing for the Savior Child in holiday atmosphere. But we are not the only ones who labor in preparation. God, Himself, determined too for Christmas celebration. This blessed Christmas story has roots that run far back into the old, old testament when men the light did lack and prophets wide who spoke for God gave promise of a son who would dispel the darkness when the kingdom had begun.

The Lord, our God, took great pains to unfold His Christmas plan. He set four things in place, you see, to bring His Son to man. Each incident has a part, you'll find, in bringing Christ to us. The Child who saved us from our sins by a death so hideous. The first of God's preparing was a setting for the King: a time, a place, a people, an historic opening.

The spot for Messiah's birthplace was predicted, as you know - "Bethlehem," the prophet said so very long ago. Seven-hundred twenty five B.C. was when that prophet spoke. The chances of him guessing that were really quite remote.

But "To whom would God send His only Son? What people? What race? What tribe?" To the Jews. To Judah. To David. Was the setting that God prescribed. "And when should we expect Him? What time? What year? How late?" In the fullness of time God sent Him for God had arranged the date.

God's timing was just perfect: One empire. One language. And roads - had been built from Spain to Persia so the good news could just explode! The time, the place, the people - the setting for the coming King. All these were prepared for Christmas by the Father who rules everything. And next God prepared a name.

Quite a few to be exact. "Emmanuel" was one - it means God and man would somehow contact. Five more are also listed in Isaiah nine verse six. These five inspire excitement from Baptists or Catholics. His name is Wonderful that takes care of the dullness of life.

We no longer need cheap substitutes nor to wait for an afterlife. His name is Counselor that takes care of life's decisions. With Jesus we have the wisdom we need to deal with life's hardest oppositions. His name is The Mighty God - that takes care of life's demands. Through Him we can conquer when life seems tough.

There is nothing He can't withstand. His name is The Everlasting - the Father of life's dimension. Whenever we place our life in Him time has an eternal extension. His name is Prince of Peace. He takes the disturbance of life.

As you put the control of your life with Him, He deals with the pain and all strife. Think of the names I've just listed. Choose one that meets your need. God prepared that name for your Christmas. It was all arranged and decreed.

And then God prepared a woman. He predicted to Adam and Eve that to a woman a child'd be born - a Savior the world would receive. Every Jewish lady wondered if she was the one through whom God would send the promised Messiah, the Redeemer in woman's womb. "Behold, favored one!" said the angel. "The Lord is especially with you.

" She wondered at this strange greeting and what he would ask her to do! "You will be with child and give birth to a Son and he will be called 'the Lord saves.' The Spirit of God will father this child to break Satan's hold o'er his slaves." You can imagine her feelings! What questions. What stirrings of heart. She understood genetics.

Who would be her counterpart? "The first child born to a virgin will be the Son of God! With God all things are possible though His actions may seem a bit odd." And so the faithful young woman accepted Gabriel's word "I am the servant of God," she said "and all that you've said I have heard." Mary shows us not only privilege but exceptional sacrifice. She joyfully offered her body, her trust, and her future (to be precise). Mary was mother to God's own Son! There was just one hitch in the plan - besides an aunt and an uncle who knew God told no one else in the clan! The pain of shame was hers to bear.

Her fianc� was possibly lost. But she submitted to God's tough will So God prepared for Christmas. He chose the perfect place. He set the time and named the group - the setting in time and space. And God prepared a woman - a virgin by design - who qualified more, for her faith than her Davidic line.

But one more thing God had prepared upon that Christmas eve. A book of Paul, Ephesians one tells one more thing to heed. "Before the world began - before all time and space, God prepared you to receive this Savior by His grace." Before there was a Christmas you were headed for rendezvous You were not made to fit Christmas Christmas was made to fit you. The child in manger grew to man, The crib looked to the cross.

The God-man died, so we might live And find in Him no loss. He came to give abundant life He asks one thing from us. To place our total trust in Him From birth to sarcophagus. So as you prepare for Christmas remember God has prepared for you. He is arranging Christmas for Mike, for Linda, and Sue.

And God is not done preparing. His love is so profound that one day soon He'll come again and make us all homebound. So a verse from Paul's Corinthians I close with on this day. I pray you'll take it with you as you go along your way: "No eye has seen, nor mind can know, no tongue has ever told the things our Savior has prepared for those who love Him bold." (1 Corinthians 2:9) -- Dennis Rupert Christmas Day Poem Sermon December 1995