God's Presence Lost | Emmanuel, GOD with US, Pt 1

Sadly, it is possible to celebrate Christmas and miss the entire point. Not that we approve of or even understand all that happens during this season in the name of “Christmas.” Even back in the “good ole days” when Christmas was considered special by a larger portion of our population, there was the secular, materialistic version that elevated fairy tales, snowmen, and gift-giving over the importance of the first advent of the Savior, Jesus Christ. But, it was certainly easier to spot the distinctly Christian message, if one was looking. Now the tables have turned. The secular adaptation of Christmas is predominate while the prophecy is buried. The coming of the presence of God is eclipsed with such trivial nonsense as romance movies with snow and plagiarized Christmas music playing in the background just to give us that “feeling.” We encourage our children to watch the so-called Christmas toons and stories about winter, snow, Christmas, elves, and so on without so much as reading a passage from Holy Scripture regarding the coming of Christ or lighting an advent candle to commemorate His coming into the world. What is it that made the birth of Jesus so important? Why was he heralded by angels, followed by wise men, and worshipped by shepherds? Why was he named, “Jesus” or Jehovah saves?” Why did Isaiah the prophet predict that God would be with us again someday when written? Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Let me invite you to join me on a journey, a Christmas Journey if you will. This journey will take us through some of the epoch events in history and Scripture. In this journey we will go back to the beginning of time; we will look into how we lost the greatest treasure, and how God promised to unfold a timeless plan to restore what we lost through our sin. What is this treasure? It is the blessings of being in God’s presence without condemnation and without His righteous judgment. How did we lose this greatest of all blessings? Let’s consider that first.