Stargazing 1 (What to give Jesus)

Last night we began a three week Christmas series entitled: "Stargazing". We tried to record it, but it was a terrible recording. We are still working out technical difficulties (or maybe a demon in the soundboard). Have you ever gone stargazing! It's incredible! It's indescribable! It's... I don't know, but what I do know it that on a dark clear night, as I look into the sky and see it lit up with stars I think, "WOW God, you are beautiful! You are glorious!" After all Psalm 19:1 tells us that, "The heavens display the glory of God". Like we need to be told that.

Matthew 2 records the story of the wise men... As they were stargazing one night they saw God's star rise and followed it as it led them to the place where Jesus was born, that tiny place called Bethlehem (the prophesied birth place of the Savior - Micah 5:2). When the wise men (however many of them there were) came to Jesus, they fell down and WORSHIPPED, they REJOICED with great joy, and they brought Him GIFTS. Wise men they were, for they knew that this infant would one day save them from their sins.

When they saw the Savior they brought gifts... isn't that what Christmas is really all about?!? What if one year we didn't give any gifts, but simply had a birthday party for Jesus?!? How different would that be? I know of a church in Lakeland that actually does this (Heritage Baptist), they did it last night for their children's ministry! If you did have a birthday party for Jesus what would you give Him? Seriously what do you give a God who has everything? We challenged our students last night by asking them that question. Justin Locke suggested we give Him our will since He doesn't own that. Great point! Were all familiar with this verse...

"... give your bodies to God..."

Romans 12:1 (nlt)

Could that be what we can give God this Christmas??? (Shhhhh here's a secrete, He already owns it anyway - 1 Cor 6:20) What could happen if we presented our body to God as a present this year?

Last night we looked at a teenage girl who gave her body to God. You know who she is and so does the rest of the world. Many center their whole religion around her. Her name is Mary. Luke 1:26-38 records a little about her encounter with God's plan to bring Jesus into the world. I especially like verse 38...

"...I am the Lord’s servant, and

I am willing to accept whatever

He wants..." - Luke 1:38 (nlt)

In other words Mary said, "God, I'm yours, you can have my body". God used her to bring Jesus into the world! What would happen if we presented our bodies to Him this Christmas as a present? Here's what would happen... Just like Mary, only in a different way, He would use us to bring Jesus into the world!