Pastor Wayne Cordeiro
December 13, 2015 - W1550

Video:

Pastor Wayne (outdoors humming and singing, “Away In The Manger,” greets his son Aaron who is putting up Christmas lights on the porch): “I don’t know about you, but Christmas is my favorite time of the year—families and friends reuniting, the cold weather, Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, ornaments, big meals!  I even like the sounds of bells ringing at the mall asking for donations to some worthy charity because it’s a season when people are more giving and kinder than at any other time of the year.  Because of the busyness during the season, it’s easy to forget the reason Christmas exists.  In fact, I wonder sometimes if the new generation even knows what Christmas is all about. 

The reason for Christmas is so we can remember the very first Christmas—the one that began in a manger—an event that would change the course of eternity! The first Christmas gave us the greatest gift of all!”

Granddaughter opens the front door:  “Papa, dinner is ready.”  Pastor Wayne enters house and greets everyone. 

Anna Cordeiro: “It’s so nice to have everyone here.”

Pastor Wayne:  “And Jewel and Jana all the way from Hawaii, as well as Aaron and Uilani.  How was the flight?” 

Uilani Cordeiro:  “It wasn’t all that bad.  The only thing about living in Hawaii is that we have to travel a long way to get anywhere.  It kind of made me think about the journey the Magi must have had.”

Granddaughter:  “Magi?  What’s that?”

Pastor Wayne:  “They are the three wise men the Bible talks about.  They traveled a long way, following a bright star that led them all the way to Bethlehem.”

Granddaughter:  “So is daddy a Magi because I hear mom say he’s a wise man sometimes.” 

Anna:  “I think she means a ‘wise guy’ (laughter in background) but I think that’s a little different. 

Pastor Wayne:  “We’re having dinner in a few minutes so why don’t we all pray and ask God for his blessings?”  (All stand in a circle holding hands; Pastor Wayne prays and blesses the food; all gather at table for Christmas dinner. Background chatter.)

Jewel:  Sings “There’s A Song In The Air.”

Pastor Wayne:  “It never ceases to amaze me how the wise men came to Bethlehem and that God used a star to signal them that the Savior was coming.  The Magi saw the Star of Bethlehem months before Jesus was born and decided to follow it based on a 1400-year old prophecy found in the book of Numbers 24:17 (AMP) ‘…A Star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel and shall crush all the corners of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth (Moab’s sons of tumult).’ What faith they must have had, and so 2000 years after these events we still read about them, tell their story, and sing their songs.  Yet I think that what they experienced those many years ago, God may still be doing today.  He may use a star or an experience, a setback, a counselor, or even a child.  But whatever He uses, the bottom line is that He is trying to get our attention.  I know that God gives us signs to follow and lights to guide our way.  You may not know it yet, but the signs are there.  Like the wise men, the only way we will see a star or sign, is to look for them.  Perhaps, you don’t believe in Jesus.  The star He is showing you may be in this Christmas special, the one that you are watching right now.  Maybe He has given you many signs over your life and you haven’t yet chosen to follow them, but may be now is that time.  See where that star leads you, and you might just find your Savior at the end of your journey. 

To those of you who do believe in Christ, remember that God is still leading us everyday. Don’t stop pursuing Him.  Watch for His hand; it will lead to His heart.  Follow where He guides you—in your personal life, marriage, relationships, but especially when you’re at a dead-end.  He will lead you to answers to your problems, the mission for your life, the keys to the kingdom right to the very heart of God.  Whoever you are or wherever you are, follow the star that the Lord is shining in your life.  There is a very special gift waiting for you.  All it takes it the courage to follow it.  Who knows if years from now your story of faith will be used to reach others for Christ?” 

(Carolers singing, O, Come Let Us Adore Him, We Three Kings, Joy To The World.)

Pastor Wayne goes on the porch and greets the carolers: “That was great!  Come inside.”  (Carolers enter house.)

Granddaughter:  “Papa, is it story time yet?” 

Pastor Wayne:  “It sure is.  Everybody gather around. 

A long, long time ago God sent an angel to a young lady named Mary and told her that she was going to have a baby and that baby would be the Son of God. She was very concerned because she was not married and her fiancé Joseph might get very mad.  But God sent an angel and told Joseph in a dream that this baby would be a miracle from God.  So they got married and during this time there was a king named Herod and he made a decree that everyone must go back to his hometown and register, so Mary and Joseph had to go back to Bethlehem.  It was a long way, but they had a donkey to ride.  (Children in background giggling.)  But when they got there, there was no room in the hotel, so they went to a little barn, and Jesus was born there.  Mary had no crib so she laid the baby in a manger.  That’s when who came, Katy?”

Katy:  “The Magi!”

Pastor Wayne: “That’s right. They came and gave presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  The silent night was broken by the cries of the Holy Baby—the voice of our Redeemer, Jesus.”

(Pastor Wayne sings Silent Night; Jana accompanies him on the last stanza in Hawaiian.)

Jana sings “What Child Is This?”

Pastor Wayne:  “I’m sure this Christmas you’ll receive many wonderful gifts, but those gifts all pale in comparison to the very first Christmas gift any of us were ever offered.  I hope and pray that you will receive that gift into your life.  I remember a few years ago a dear friend of mine wanted to give my wife Anna and me a boat cruise for Christmas. I knew about what it would cost him so I graciously declined it and thanked him for his generosity.  Of course, underneath, Anna and I really wanted to go, and secretly hoped that he would reject our refusal and force us to accept his gift.  Well, when I did decline his gift, praise the Lord, he refused to accept our refusal, and we did accept his gift.  We went on the cruise and had a wonderfully refreshing time.  That was only possible because we accepted the gift.  You see, the cruise would have sailed away whether we were on it or not, but because we accepted the gift, we were able to enjoy the experience and the generosity of our dear friend. 

This Christmas I pray that you will receive the gift that is being offered to you. Remember the Bible says, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting/eternal life.’ (John 3:16, NIV.)  You see, God gave us His Son Jesus Christ but that alone, as wonderful as it is, is not enough for us to have eternal life because we need to receive or accept the gift from God, just as I had to accept the gift of the cruise.  Whether you accept Jesus or not, He will be there waiting to give you eternal life. I believe God is hoping you will accept the gift He is offering you.  When you do receive it, in return, this will be the greatest gift you could ever give back to God!

Let me encourage you to jump in at New Hope and invite a friend to one of our Christmas services and you will help them find the Original Gift of Christmas.”

Study Questions:

1. Where in the book of Numbers is the prophecy found that the Magi used to find Baby Jesus?

2. Is God still using sign/star to lead us today? Explain.

3. What did Pastor Wayne have to do in order to enjoy the cruise?

4. What is the greatest gift we can give to God?