This morning is the fourth Sunday in Advent, just days away from Christmas Day. By this time
our homes are beautifully decorated, the smell of evergreen arouses our senses and our children
and families are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the much-anticipated day in which presents are
opened and families come together. It seems only appropriate that as we celebrate this fourth
Sunday in Advent, that our attention be drawn to the Nativity Story itself. Last week we saw how
some pagan and secular influences have had their influences on the celebration of Christmas.
However, underlying the traditions of the church and many Christian families for generations is
the rock solid biblical narrative of the birth of a Savior, the long awaited and anticipated
Messiah, the King of Israel, the Christ child, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As faithful
followers of the Lord Jesus Christ who are both zealous and jealous for His glory, we do not want
anything to rob or compete with the real focus of the season, Jesus and only Jesus. This morning
as we reacquaint ourselves with a very familiar passage of Scripture, we will be reminded of the
Nativity Story.