Merry CHRISTmas!

Introduction

            Christmas is a little different for me as a pastor because I spend every day of the year focusing on Christ and the message of the Gospel. However, for many Christians, Christmas is the time of year when they can refocus on the foundation of their Christian faith and how it all began. 2013 has been a year where Christians may have felt like their faith and their Christian values have been under attack from every side. And for some Christians, their very lives have been under attack from every side. This year has witnessed a boldness of practices and values that fly in the face of traditional Christianity—a boldness to force the acceptance of killing babies as a form of women’s health; a boldness to force the acceptance of same sex marriage as a normal form of human relationships; a boldness to force the acceptance of lying, cheating, and stealing by political, business and religious leaders in the name of the “greater good;” a boldness to accept virtually anything that opposes Christianity from atheists erecting billboards in America advancing the idea that believing in nothing demonstrates a higher level of intellect and understanding to Muslims killing Christians in other parts of the world. When dealing with these things throughout the year, Christians often feel like they spend all their time on the frontlines of a battle with little time to reflect on why they are in the battle to begin with. Maybe just for a moment, let’s stop and remember that Christianity is not strictly about upholding certain values or adhering to a certain set of beliefs. Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus Christ and the fact that it is Jesus who is our Gift from God that puts the “merry” in Merry CHRISTmas. I know you are all very busy this Christmas season so I didn’t want to burden you with a tedious lesson. Instead, I want to leave you with the Christmas story right from the Scriptures. Take a moment to read and relive the Truth of Christmas.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isa 9:6-7)

Subject Text

Luke 2:1-20

            ¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to his own town to register. ⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” ¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Application

            At times it can be difficult to stay focused on the real reason for Christmas. I hope you have a chance this year to reflect on the precious Gift of Jesus Christ that we have been given. This year, take a moment to reflect on the paradox that is Christmas. We have received a Gift that no amount of money can buy yet will cost us everything when we receive it. Remember, Christianity is about a relationship not a once-per-year celebration. It’s about a person; a person sent to bring us the greatest joy we could ever imagine. That’s the reason we say, Merry CHRISTmas. God is now with us and nothing can ever change or replace that!