THE WORLD DID
The Christmas Story: an unbelievable, incoherent, impossible promise.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1 NLT
I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3 NLT
Blessed? - conquered, enslaved, plundered
Abraham chose to believe this unbelievable promise.
Moses * Kingdom of Israel * Kingdom Divided
He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 NLT
But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Malachi 1:11 NLT
The Christmas Story?!?
All the nations would not be blessed through Abraham.
Israel would not become a light to the Gentiles.
The Jewish God would not be worshipped throughout the world.
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. Galatians 4:4 NLT
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! Luke 1:26-28 NLT
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:29-33 NLT
The Christmas Story:
All the nations would be blessed through Abraham.
Israel would be a light to the Gentiles.
The Jewish God would be worshiped throughout the world.