When you look upon the nativity scenes that permeate our communities during the Christmas season, what do you see?  What is the message you hear in your heart?  In this sermon we look at the major icons in a traditional nativity scene and search for the message within.

Each of us cast a shadow when standing in the sun, but when there are multiple light sources more than one shadow is cast upon the ground.  When walking in the light of the Son we can easily identify who we are in Christ.  When we walk in the light of circumstances, pain, or worldly opinion it becomes harder to recognize who we really are.

Satan has worked tirelessly since Eden to convince mankind there are no consequences for the rejection of God.  He has managed to convince generations hell is a place made up to scare children into behaving and to control the weak minded.  The Bible clearly teaches a place exists right now, where those who reject God will be sent until the final judgment; a place of physical and mental torments.  Once judged, they will be sentenced to the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels to spend eternity dying, but unable to find relief.  The good news is, God prepared a way so no one has to spend eternity tormented, but it requires belief in Jesus Christ and submission to Him as Lord of your life.

Though Israel was the vine planted by God (Ps. 80:8), they had become rebellious and idolatrous; they were a counterfeit (Jer. 2:21).  When Jesus told His disciples He was the True Vine, He was emphatically stating to them that only identification with Him mattered.  Their nationality as Israelites was secondary to their relationship with Him.  We too, are to identify ourselves with Christ and abide with Him.  Everything else is to be secondary to our relationship with Him.