“He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:10-11). Here is the tragedy of Christmas: the Word was made flesh, but the creation failed to know its very own Creator. More than that, the very people of God did not receive their own Messiah! They weren’t simply ignorant; they refused him. And as Jesus continues on his journey towards Jerusalem, fully aware of the ultimate rejection he will face, he is moved with deep compassion. In this sermon, Pastor Matt shows that though Jesus was rejected by his own, he came to accomplish salvation so that those who would receive him by faith might become the children of God.