Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Micah 5:1-5; 7:18-20
My favorite Christmas program is the old animated version of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The greatest part of the entire show is when the Grinch realizes what Christmas is all about and has a change of heart. Part of that process was printed in the Life Truths Learner Guide for this lesson on page 13. Allow me to reprint it here:
"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, just perhaps, means a little bit more." - Dr. Seus
The Grinch believed that Christmas centered on consumerism and things; therefore, if he removed all the 'things' of Christmas in Whoville, he could stop Christmas. Sadly, Christmas in our culture seems to mostly revolve around presents, shopping, parties, and decorating. In many American homes, if the Grinch (or some other thief) stole our Christmas decor and gifts, there would be no Christmas celebration at all.
This month's series of lessons are based on a few Christmas hymns from the past. The song for this week, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, can be found here. The Scripture is from the Prophet Micah, who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah during the eighth century B.C. His nation was disobedient to the Lord, had grown weak spiritually, and worshipped many things while still claiming to worship God. Because of the sin of the people and their leaders, God pronounced judgment on Judah. Micah 5 was most likely written while the nation and its cities were falling under siege by the Assyrians or the Babylonians, two rival nations that God used to judge His people during this time.
The Christmas season is a time when families are besieged by society to buy, buy, buy. Children not only want things, they demand them under a socially sanctioned right to want more and more. The holiday that commemorates Jesus' birth has been totally perverted and ruined by our consumer culture. We need to heed the wise counsel of a pastor who said, "Focus your attention on Christ, not on Christmas". As the inhabitants of Judah suffered under siege from their enemies, the Prophet Micah pointed them to a future time of deliverance. He prophesied of a coming ruler that was to be born in the lowly town of Bethlehem. This ruler was already in existence, for he is said to be from antiquity, from eternity (vs. 2). This is none other than Israel's long-awaited Messiah, Jesus! Jesus would come and bring an end to His people's suffering.
Our celebration of this season needs to have significance. Our celebration of this season needs to focus on Jesus. Only He can bring peace to troubled hearts, relief to strained lives, and joy to those oppressed by society's obsession with possessions. He is the ultimate stress release. If your Christmas is too hectic and overwhelming, simplify your schedule and focus on the Savior. Instead of a Christmas revolving around gifts that grow old with time, enjoy the significant Gift of Christmas that is new every morning!
The Prophet Micah spoke of a leader for Israel who would shepherd his people, caring for them and providing for them with immeasurable strength. They would enjoy security and peace (vs. 4-5). This is the continuing prophecy of Jesus the Messiah, Who came to provide salvation for us, to care for us, and to give us security and peace forevermore. To realize this incredible life we must submit completely to the Great Shepherd. He must have absolute authority over our lives. Real security is not being in control; it is relinquishing control to the only One who is absolutely sovereign. God is in control when your life seems out of control. Allowing Him to be owner-ruler of our lives brings a sense of peace and security that financial windfalls, mounds of gifts, and even close families cannot duplicate. The most destitute and the loneliest people on earth can enjoy peace and security in Jesus. A relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ provides eternal salvation and a life worth living.
Christmas is the beginning of the earthly phase of God's plan to redeem fallen mankind to Himself. Jesus was born to die as the one-and-only sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Christmas is about Calvary. Have you turned your back on a life characterized by sin and self, trusted in the sacrifice Jesus made for you when He died on Calvary's cross, accepted God's forgiveness for your sin, and put Jesus in charge of your life? Choose to make this Christmas the most significant of all: receive God's eternal gift of forgiveness and life!
BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of December 6, 2009
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Micah 5:1-5; 7:18-20
My favorite Christmas program is the old animated version of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The greatest part of the entire show is when the Grinch realizes what Christmas is all about and has a change of heart. Part of that process was printed in the Life Truths Learner Guide for this lesson on page 13. Allow me to reprint it here:
The Grinch believed that Christmas centered on consumerism and things; therefore, if he removed all the 'things' of Christmas in Whoville, he could stop Christmas. Sadly, Christmas in our culture seems to mostly revolve around presents, shopping, parties, and decorating. In many American homes, if the Grinch (or some other thief) stole our Christmas decor and gifts, there would be no Christmas celebration at all.
This month's series of lessons are based on a few Christmas hymns from the past. The song for this week, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, can be found here. The Scripture is from the Prophet Micah, who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah during the eighth century B.C. His nation was disobedient to the Lord, had grown weak spiritually, and worshipped many things while still claiming to worship God. Because of the sin of the people and their leaders, God pronounced judgment on Judah. Micah 5 was most likely written while the nation and its cities were falling under siege by the Assyrians or the Babylonians, two rival nations that God used to judge His people during this time.
The Christmas season is a time when families are besieged by society to buy, buy, buy. Children not only want things, they demand them under a socially sanctioned right to want more and more. The holiday that commemorates Jesus' birth has been totally perverted and ruined by our consumer culture. We need to heed the wise counsel of a pastor who said, "Focus your attention on Christ, not on Christmas". As the inhabitants of Judah suffered under siege from their enemies, the Prophet Micah pointed them to a future time of deliverance. He prophesied of a coming ruler that was to be born in the lowly town of Bethlehem. This ruler was already in existence, for he is said to be from antiquity, from eternity (vs. 2). This is none other than Israel's long-awaited Messiah, Jesus! Jesus would come and bring an end to His people's suffering.
Our celebration of this season needs to have significance. Our celebration of this season needs to focus on Jesus. Only He can bring peace to troubled hearts, relief to strained lives, and joy to those oppressed by society's obsession with possessions. He is the ultimate stress release. If your Christmas is too hectic and overwhelming, simplify your schedule and focus on the Savior. Instead of a Christmas revolving around gifts that grow old with time, enjoy the significant Gift of Christmas that is new every morning!
The Prophet Micah spoke of a leader for Israel who would shepherd his people, caring for them and providing for them with immeasurable strength. They would enjoy security and peace (vs. 4-5). This is the continuing prophecy of Jesus the Messiah, Who came to provide salvation for us, to care for us, and to give us security and peace forevermore. To realize this incredible life we must submit completely to the Great Shepherd. He must have absolute authority over our lives. Real security is not being in control; it is relinquishing control to the only One who is absolutely sovereign. God is in control when your life seems out of control. Allowing Him to be owner-ruler of our lives brings a sense of peace and security that financial windfalls, mounds of gifts, and even close families cannot duplicate. The most destitute and the loneliest people on earth can enjoy peace and security in Jesus. A relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ provides eternal salvation and a life worth living.
Christmas is the beginning of the earthly phase of God's plan to redeem fallen mankind to Himself. Jesus was born to die as the one-and-only sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Christmas is about Calvary. Have you turned your back on a life characterized by sin and self, trusted in the sacrifice Jesus made for you when He died on Calvary's cross, accepted God's forgiveness for your sin, and put Jesus in charge of your life? Choose to make this Christmas the most significant of all: receive God's eternal gift of forgiveness and life!
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