The Bible tell us that God intended Christmas to be a time of celebration. Yet for most people, Christmas is endured, not enjoyed. For a number of reasons, even though God intended Christmas to be a celebration, most people tend to feel pressure instead of pleasure at which should be "the most wonderful time of the year."
There is great comfort in the fact that the circumstances surrounding the first Christmas were marked by chaos instead of comfort. The Bible says that "Herod the King was troubled and all Jerusalem with him." Perhaps that is why the angels opened their proclamation with the words "Fear Not!" On that first Christmas, the angels announced three purposes for enjoying Christmas for all it's worth.
Christmas Is A Time For Rejoicing (Luke 2:10)
The angels announcement was personal - "We bring you." The angels announcement was positive - "great tidings of great joy." The angels announcement was universal - "for all people." Christmas is not just for little kids. Christmas is for everybody - regardless of race, age, background, education, or financial status. Christmas is a time for everybody to rejoice in God's love. Christmas is a time for everybody to rejoice in God's presence. God has come to us!
Christmas Is A Time For Redemption (Luke 2:11)
Maybe this Christmas, you are like the Shepherds - Afraid. Maybe this Christmas, you are like Mary - Alone. Maybe this Christmas, you feel excluded. The Bible says that there was "no room for them in the inn." The Bible has good news for us: Jesus came to save us, not shock us! Jesus has come to save us from our sins.
*Matthew 1:21 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
*John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
“He is truth. He is grace. In His truth, Jesus tells me the real story about my life and where I stand. He tells me I am spiritually dead, booked on a one-way flight to hell, incapable of achieving heaven on my own power, incapable of lifting myself out of the despair of an empty life or releasing myself from the iron chains of habitual sin. In His grace, Jesus loves me, seeks me, calls me, redeems me, walks with me through the hours of the day, and stands guard over my slumbers at night.” Larry Libby
The manger can only be properly viewed in the light of the cross as we see Jesus was born to die for our sins!
Christmas Is A Time Of Reconciliation (Luke 2:14)
It is a time when we are reconciled to God. Our sins are forgiven. It is a time when we are reconciled with people.
*Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers
Being a peacemaker is not appeasement. It is not always giving in or pretending there is nothing wrong. Being a peacemaker is about taking the initiative to make relationships right. Being a peacemaker is about offering the same forgiveness to the people who have hurt you that you want from them. Being a peacemaker is about realizing that as a Christian, we are the most forgiven people in all the world; therefore we should be the most forgiven people in all the world.
Christmas is about finding joy, forgiveness, hope, peace, and right relationships with God and people. That is what the first Christmas was about. I pray that is what your Christmas about.
*Matthew 1:21 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
*John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
“He is truth. He is grace. In His truth, Jesus tells me the real story about my life and where I stand. He tells me I am spiritually dead, booked on a one-way flight to hell, incapable of achieving heaven on my own power, incapable of lifting myself out of the despair of an empty life or releasing myself from the iron chains of habitual sin. In His grace, Jesus loves me, seeks me, calls me, redeems me, walks with me through the hours of the day, and stands guard over my slumbers at night.” Larry Libby
The manger can only be properly viewed in the light of the cross as we see Jesus was born to die for our sins!
Christmas Is A Time Of Reconciliation (Luke 2:14)
It is a time when we are reconciled to God. Our sins are forgiven. It is a time when we are reconciled with people.
*Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers
Being a peacemaker is not appeasement. It is not always giving in or pretending there is nothing wrong. Being a peacemaker is about taking the initiative to make relationships right. Being a peacemaker is about offering the same forgiveness to the people who have hurt you that you want from them. Being a peacemaker is about realizing that as a Christian, we are the most forgiven people in all the world; therefore we should be the most forgiven people in all the world.
Christmas is about finding joy, forgiveness, hope, peace, and right relationships with God and people. That is what the first Christmas was about. I pray that is what your Christmas about.
