These slides are intended to explain Christmas to those who may be unfamiliar, such as international students. The perspective is from the Bible. Good for presentations.

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What is Christmas All About?
Scripture references are from NASB1982.

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Christmas in the United States
• Christmas is the major Christian holiday in the United States, but it has
also acquired secular and cultural customs (e. g. Santa Claus, Christmas
trees).
• The focus of this presentation is on the original meaning of the holiday,
based on what the Bible teaches, rather than on the traditions and
customs associated with the secular version of the holiday.
• Why is Christmas such an important day in so much of the world? What
is the meaning of Christmas? What is the significance of Christmas to
Christians?
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3. 3
What does Christmas celebrate?
• Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah foretold in the Scriptures:
• Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a
virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name
Immanuel.
• Micah 5:2 But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among
the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.
• Jesus is the person around whom the historical calendar has
been split
• B.C. means Before Christ
• A.D. stands for the Latin phrase anno domini which means “in the year of
our Lord”

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Why is the birth of Jesus significant?
• Christianity is different from all other religions.
• Other religions are man reaching up to God. Christianity is God reaching
down to man.
• The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and part of
the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
He came to earth as a newborn baby, taking human form and being fully
human during His time here on earth.
• Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found
favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and
you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most
High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign
over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.”
• 1 John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only
begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
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A natural barrier (sin) separates humans from
God
• God is holy and pure; humans are sinful.
• Sin keeps humans from approaching or accessing God.
• Here is what the Bible says:
• Ecclesiastes 7:20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually
does good and who never sins.
• Isaiah 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own
way…
• Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
• Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death…
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Because God loves, He acted!
• Don’t ask why, but God loves humans.
• Because of His love, God took the initiative to break down the barrier
between humans and Himself. He sent His Son into this world.
• Here is what the Bible says:
• Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which
He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together
with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
• 1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should
be called children of God; and such we are.
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God acted to solve the sin problem
• God sent His Son to pay the penalty for sin on our behalf.
• Jesus was crucified, died on a cross and was raised from the dead on the
third day.
• Because Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, we can have a relationship
with God.
• Here is what the Bible says:
• Isaiah 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own
way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
• Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us.
• I Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order
that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive
in the spirit.
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Because of Jesus, we can have peace with
God.
• In the Old Testament prophecy, the Messiah is called Prince of Peace:
• Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will
rest on his shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
• When angels appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus Christ, they
praised God, saying:
• Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is
pleased.”
• Jesus Himself said:
• John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I
give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
• The Apostle Paul said:
• Romans 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ
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God wants us to know Him!
• God not only loves us, but He wants us to know Him!
• Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of His wisdom,
and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;
but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am
the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I
delight in these things,” declares the Lord.
• Hosea 6:3 So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as
certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering
the earth.
• Hosea 6:6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God
rather than burnt offerings.
• Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge
of the Holy One is understanding.
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Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus
Christ.
• Salvation (or being saved) is the Bible term to describe being enabled to
approach God and have a relationship with Him.
• It is the grace of God that enables humans to approach Him. God
provided a path and means.
• Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
• Faith or belief in Jesus Christ is the means of salvation:
• Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in
your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart
man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting
in salvation.
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Why is Christmas so important?
• The Bible teaches that the only path to approach God is through faith in
His Son, Jesus Christ.
• Jesus said:
• John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but
through me.”
• The Apostle Peter said:
• Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under
heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”
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Now that you know, what will you do?
• Human beings were created by God to have eternal life, so that they
might have unlimited time to get to know Him:
• John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.
• Death is not an end to life, but a transition to a different form of life. We
lose this body of flesh but our consciousness continues through our soul
or spirit.
• Hebrews 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this
comes judgment,
• Romans 14:12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
• Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
• Will you place your faith in Jesus Christ? This is the critical question!
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Don’t think too far ahead!
• If you are thinking, “But I can’t live the Christian life, so there is no point in
trying,” you are missing an important part of the story. So read a few
more slides.
• Salvation has three phases.
• Regeneration occurs at a point in time and changes a non-Christian into a
Christian.
• Sanctification is an ongoing process of maturing or growth after a person
becomes a Christian, with the goal of becoming like Christ.
• Glorification is achieved when the Christian enters into heaven and is
united with Christ.
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14. 14
Take things one step at a time.
• Sanctification, or becoming like Christ, is never complete in this life. It is
a process and involves growth over time. It takes a lifetime and is beyond
the scope of these slides to discuss fully. Only two points can be
emphasized here.
• 1. God provides resources to support our growth in Christ. The non-
Christian does not understand these resources or how they can lead to
growth. A few of the key resources will be highlighted here.
• 2. The basis of sanctification is faith rather than works.
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Resources for growth in Christ
• Christians have received the Holy Spirit:
• I Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit
who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
• I Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit
of God dwells in you?
• Christians have the Bible to understand the will of God:
• II Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every good work.
• Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-
edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and
marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
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Resources for growth in Christ
• Prayer – asking God for help:
• John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it shall be done for you.
• Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,
which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.
• Fellowship with other Christians – the Christian life is not intended to be
lived solo:
• Matthew 18:20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I
am in their midst.
• Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and
good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
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Growth in Christ
• Resources for Christian growth
• Many books have been written on each of the bullet points presented in these slides.
Books, websites, and other resources are available to Christians to assist in
maturing and becoming more like Christ.
• Spiritual disciplines, such as Bible reading and prayer, are an important
part of growth
• These disciplines are pursued by Christians because of our love for God,
in response to His love for us; love is what the Christian life is all about!
• Jesus said: John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men
will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
• 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love
covers a multitude of sins.
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Sanctification by faith
• Colossians 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so
walk in Him
• How did we receive Christ Jesus the Lord? By faith. So how do we walk in Him?
How are we sanctified? By faith. Our growth in the Christian faith comes from God,
not from our own works and effort. It is God who is at work in us through the Holy
Spirit.
• Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a
good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
• Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who
live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for
me.
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Sanctification by faith
• Perhaps the most important step the Christian can take towards
sanctification is to ask God for it. Jesus asked God to sanctify His
followers:
• John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.
• If Jesus prayed this prayer for His followers, this might also be a good
prayer for others in Christian leadership positions to use: pastors, Bible
study leaders, Sunday School teachers and others.
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Application
• Where do you go from here? Knowledge is not enough. The Apostle
Paul said, “Knowledge makes arrogant” or “Knowledge puffs up” (1
Corinthians 8:1) but love edifies or builds up.
• If you are not yet a Christian, is it time to make that decision? Or if not,
take steps to get questions answered and/or do further research?
• If you are a Christian, or Christian leader, do you see any action steps to
take?
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Questions?