CHRIST CELEBRATION

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:4-14 ESV)

            The word Christmas comes from combining the words “Christ” and “Mass.”  The holiday is a celebration of Christ. You are rejoicing about His coming to earth.

            Years ago Brenda and I went to Florida in December to see our daughter-in-law graduate from Southeastern University. Part of her graduation gift included a trip to Disney’s MGM studio. A New York City Street setting is located on a back lot. During the evening the whole area was lit-up with millions of decorative lights. It was impressive! While walking down the street simulated snowflakes fell out of clear Florida skies, the flakes being made from tiny dissolvable soap shavings. I do not recommend catching them with your mouth. The visitors were giddy over the fake snow. Christmas is not special because of snow.

            While visiting the Disney complex we also saw the decorations at the Grand Floridian Hotel. A clubhouse-size genuine Ginger Bread House was located in the lobby, along with numerous Victorian Christmas trees. Walking toward the main entrance the song “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” was playing and chestnuts were being cooked on a gas grill near the front doors. The cook gave a few samples and showed us how to open the shell. They were the blandest nuts I had ever eaten and tasted terrible. Not a fond memory. Christmas is not special because of songs about chestnuts.

            Christmas is a celebration of Christ and all He desires for you.

A celebration of love

            Special Love came to earth two thousand years ago – eternal love, forgiving love. Genesis reveals God from the start was making ready a time when He would manifest His love in flesh and blood.

            Children are born out of a love relationship between husband and wife. Jesus came out of a love relationship between God and His world. “For God so loved the world….” (John 3:16)

            Unique to Christmas is not only a celebration of the Father’s love but also the Son’s love. Jesus did not have to come; He wanted to come. There was no coercion for Him to give up a throne in heaven and come to earth. Philippians declares He humbled Himself – He emptied Himself of His rightful position, took on human form and became “Immanuel,” God with us.

            Christmas is love in its fullest measure. Without love the meaning of Christmas is lost.

A celebration of giving

            “For God so loved the world that He gave….” (John 3:16) Someone once said, “I have taken commercialism out of Christmas – I no longer give gifts.” Sounds more like a cheapskate. Christmas is giving, a time of year when people think beyond themselves. The world would be a miserable place without “giving” hearts. All forms of stinginess only intensify society’s ills.

            Alleviating human suffering requires more than money, it takes people willingly giving time and talent. As people freely give time to help others, they make church meaningful and beneficial to the community and beyond.

            Be found giving during this celebration of giving. Give testimony of Jesus to those not knowing Him. Give essential items to those in need. Give yourself to others in beneficial ways.

A celebration of sacrifice

            Mary and Joseph sacrificed reputation. The shepherds gave a sacrifice of praise. Simeon and Anna gave a sacrifice of service. The Wise Men sacrificed time and treasures. Jesus sacrificed His life.

            Part of Christmas involves a spirit of sacrifice. You can give a sacrifice of praise when gathering to worship. You can present your life as a living and holy sacrifice to God before neighbors and friends. You can be sacrificially involved in various activities of church and community. You can consistently go beyond the expected and into the realm of sacrifice for His kingdom.

            Jesus gave instruction in the Sermon on the Mount. Do you carry a soldier’s gear for one mile?  No, for two! The first is compulsion, demanded by civil law. The second is testimony, given by divine grace.

            Do we forgive seven times? No! Forgiveness is a lifestyle and done as long as it takes for others to see Jesus.

            Sacrifice will always cost something. Sacrifice may even be agonizing, involving pain similar to the labor pains Mary experienced the first Christmas. This is part of Christmas.

A celebration of joy

            The angels proclaimed, “Good news of a great joy….”

            Think about grumpy Mr. Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic. What makes for a Christmas scrooge is not consumerism or traditions of Santa Claus. A scrooge comes from the loss of genuine joy.

            What changes the heart of a Christmas scrooge is not remembering the past, seeing the present and fearing the future. The human heart is only changed by responding to the Good News of Christmas joy.

            Jesus is the provider of joy – deep-seated, thirst-quenching, load-lightening and soul-satisfying joy. If someone lacks joy at Christmas it is not because of circumstances and situations. Joy comes from the announcement made by angels. Christmas joy embraces the good news about Christ.

A celebration of good will

             Christmas speaks of kind attitudes, of benevolence. The celebration is about wishing others well and being compassionate towards one another. The celebration is about reaching out to those less fortunate and demonstrating they are not forgotten. The celebration is about contacting someone from the past with expressions of gratitude, of saying thanks through Christmas cards to people making a difference in your life.

            The church is a divinely-designed community that cares about others and desires God’s best for everyone. December 25^th and the events leading up to the day gives the world a glimpse at what followers of Jesus are like all year round. Christmas is good will to all, a testimony of faith in God.

A celebration of service

            Jesus came as a servant born in humble surroundings, not royal comfort. His actions were of a servant, not a king. A major statement about His kingship is Servant of all.

            When you think of Christmas, think of service. Mary gave service caring for the defenseless Infant. Simeon gave service dedicating the Child in the temple. Joseph gave service raising the Son of God as his own.

            What kind of service are you giving?

A celebration of peace

            The hope and desire of people around the world is peace. The desire for peace that founded the United Nations is only achievable through the Prince of Peace.

            Some believe peace comes by strength, others believe by abolishing weapons. Before peace can come to earth, it must first come to the human heart. Soothing a troubled nation requires calming a defiant soul.

            There is no peace on earth until everyone stands on common ground. Faith in God is the only common ground providing everlasting peace. The angels declared, “Peace among those with whom He is pleased…peace among those of His good pleasure.”

            Christmas declares peace is attainable through a right relationship with God, becoming pleasing to Him and conforming to His will.

Application

            For many people Christmas is a merry moment and nothing more. To believers Christmas is a year-long celebration of Christ, a celebration of love, giving, sacrifice, joy, good will, service and peace.

            Celebrate Christ! Show the world the nature of Jesus throughout the coming year.