First United Methodist Church

Clinton, Mississippi

Christmas Celebration

December 27, 2020 Service

In the midst of all the glitz and glitter of the season, we may lose sight of the earth-shattering news (literally) that in Jesus we see Heaven on Earth. As we prepare our hearts to once again rejoice over this Good News, perhaps we can be on the lookout for glimpses of heaven breaking out among us.

November 29 – “Tear Open the Heavens and Come Down”

The people of Israel had longed for a messiah, a delivering King, who would rule in justice and peace. Isaiah is a bit bolder in his request. Not just for an earthly ruler, but a Divine King, who would tear open the heavens and bring a bit of down with him! 

Isaiah 64:1

New Revised Standard Version
64 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,
so that the mountains would quake at your presence—

 

December 6- 2 Peter 3:8-15- “A New Heaven and a New Earth”

Peter reminds us that the one who came in Jesus, will come again in Glory. Advent is a time of looking back and looking forward. When Heaven broke out, it wasn’t just to rearrange the furniture, but to remake everything: including Heaven and Earth.

 

2 Peter 3:8-15

New Revised Standard Version
8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you,[a] not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.[b]

11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening[c] the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Final Exhortation and Doxology

14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

December 13- John 1:6-9- “The True Light of the World.”

John takes us way back before the manger, to let us in on a world-changing secret, that the one we call Jesus, is a brighter star than all the rest, brighter even than the sun in the sky.

John 1:6-9

New Revised Standard Version

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.[a]

December 20- Luke 1:26-28- “Nothing is Impossible”

When Mary is told she’s going to give birth to the messiah, she can’t believe it, it’s impossible. She’s the first to hear the Good News, that when Heaven comes to earth, anything is now possible.

 

Luke 1:26-28

New Revised Standard Version
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”[a]

December 24- “Christmas Eve” 

Luke 1:26-28

New Revised Standard Version
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”[a]

December 27- “Christmas Celebration” 

Luke 1:26-28

New Revised Standard Version
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”[a]