I want us to see the Christmas story from the viewpoint of the Holy Spirit of God as revealed

to the Apostle Paul, and I believe it gives us the real Christmas story. Bethlehem isn't

the issue. Shepherds and wise men and Joseph and Mary and mangers, they don't appear in this

perspective, but what is here is the reality of the incarnation.

Welcome to Grace to You with John MacArthur. I'm your host Phil Johnson. Even though it's still

several weeks away, you've probably started thinking about your Christmas must-do list.

Perhaps it includes shopping for loved ones or visiting family and friends or going to school plays,

baking those traditional Christmas treats. While those activities certainly have their place,

how do you make sure they don't distract you from what matters most when it comes to your

Christmas celebration? Consider that today, as John MacArthur continues his study titled

the real meaning of Christmas. And with a lesson now, here's John.

The text of our Christmas message verses 6 through 11. Philippians 2 6 through 11.

Now, before we read the text and specifically present what the Spirit of God has said,

let me just set our thoughts in context. At Christmas, we are confronted again, and I'm sure you're

aware of it, with the sometimes very difficult task of separating the reality of Christmas

from the clutter that surrounds that reality. There is so much confusion that sometimes you feel

like the real Christmas story is like a diamond lost in a haystack. It just seems impossible to find.

Christmas has really become a hopeless model of confusion. The humility and the poverty of the

stable are somehow confused with the wealth and indulgence and selfishness of gift giving.

The quietness of Bethlehem is mingled with the din of shopping malls and freeway traffic.

The soberness of the incarnation is somehow mixed with the drunkenness of this season.

Blinking colored lights somehow have some connection to the star of Bethlehem.

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