The Search for the Perfect Gift

    A. Toys of the Year

    B. The Toy Hall of Fame

     C.  What do you get for the person who has everything?

           1. Story of Warren Buffett

           2. Surprising places we see the understanding of what is important

     D.  Remembering the path of the Three Wise Men

           1.  What do you get for the person who has everything?

                 a.  Gold–a gift fit for a King

                 b.  Frankincense–a gum resin use by priests in worship

                 c.  Myrrh–a spice used in embalming after death

II.  Isaiah 9:6

       A.  Who is in charge?  — Political factions

            1.  Biblical times:  No Republicans or Democrats, BUT:

                 a. Pharisees / Sadducees

                 c. Essenes / Zealots

                 e. Romans

                 f. Assyrians / Babylonians

       B. Northern Kingdom of Israel – conquered in 720 BC by Assyria

       C. Southern Kingdom of Israel – conquered in 586 BC by Babylonia

       D. Reign of King Josiah 640-609 BC

III. The Prophet Zephaniah

     A.  Written during the reign and reforms of King Josiah

          1.  Great reforms throughout the land to bring the people back to God and right worship

          2.  Cleared the temple of idols to foreign gods

          3.  The peace was temporary – Judah conquered after death of Josiah followed by mass deportation of Jewish people

          4.  This begins the Exile of the Southern Kingdom of Israel

     B.  1948 – Israel recognized as a sovereign nation

          1.  Is there peace in the land?

          2.  a total of 1,339 years since the peaceful reign of Josiah

          3.  we serve an Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor – we must remember

IV.  Our rush through the Christmas season

         A.  We rush through so quickly what has taken centuries to unfold

         B.  The message we share is that God is in our midst and will quiet us with his love (Zeph 3:17)

         C.  The lyrics of the Little Drummer Boy – What do you give the person who has everything?

               a.  “I am a poor boy – I have no gifts to bring”

         D.  What does it mean for us to lean on the Everlasting Father?

         E.  God wants what is best for our life

                 1.  “Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live.”

                 2.  Ezekiel 18:23

          F.  We turn in joy to Philippians 4:4-9:  “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”