Culture: Festival not Carnival
Pastor Allen
12/10/2023
Matthew 2:1–3 (NLT): Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign
of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in
Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star
as it rose, and we have come…” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he
heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem
I. Carnivals Exist to heighten your
Festivals exist to heighten your
- Experiencing Christmas is seasonal
2 . Engaging Christmas is sustainable
Matthew 2:2b, 7–9, 11a (NLT): “We have come to worship him.” Herod called
for a private meeting with the wise men…then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem
and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell
me so that I can go and worship him, too!” After this interview the wise men
went their way…They entered the house and saw the child with his mother,
Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
II. Carnivals are an invitation to
Festivals are an invitation to
- The culture invites you to receive wonder at Christmas
2 . The Scripture invites you to give worship at Christmas
Matthew 2:9b-10, 11b–15 (NLT): …the star they had seen in the east guided
them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where
the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy…Then they
opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh. When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another
route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. After the
wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
“Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay
there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to
kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother,
and they stayed there until Herod’s death
III. Carnivals try and eliminate
Festivals try and eliminate
- Disruptions affect the moments of Christmas
- Distractions affect the meaning of Christma
NEXT STEPS
1. LOOK UP
2 . LET GO
3 . LEAN IN