Sermon Central
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It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...or Is It?
Contributed by Thomas Giddens on Jan 2, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: We need to recognize the true meaning of Christmas
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Or Is It?
Text: Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Intro:
The malls are full, the trees are trimmed, and plans of family gatherings have been made. All the things that go along with Christmas. The decorations are hung through town(Been there since before Thanksgiving). Christmas....Everywhere you go it looks like Christmas. I mean it looks like what the world has made Christmas out to be. The decoration you see are snow men, reindeer, Santa Clause. You see fewer and fewer manger scenes in the front yards. You see nothing, or very little around, displaying what Christmas is all about. To the child of God Christmas is about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Good Tidings Of Great Joy
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
The news of Great Joy the angels are talking about in this scripture is Jesus. Our Lord and Savior is about to be born. Today the news that seems to bring joy is the day before Christmas there is a half price sale at the mall. The joy of Christmas is not in the gifts that we receive, or the sales that we can find. The true joy is in the fact that we have a savior, and his name is Jesus.
Glory To God
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, goodwill toward men!”
The angels gave glory to God for the savior that was being born. Today we give glory to Wal-mart for running the big screen tv on sale. The world is missing it. The focus is in the wrong place.
Peace on Earth
We need to realize the true peace comes from the one that was born in a manger on Christmas Day. Jesus brings peace on earth. He is the ONLY one that can give us this true peace.
Jesus said it himself in John 14
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Good Will Towards Man
Good will towards man... What is that? Just in the last few weeks there have been multiple shootings in this area. Not to mention the horrible massacre at the school in Connecticut. Society has it all wrong, it’s all about me, and what I can get.
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Funny how this is just about the only time of year that you see more people trying to do more for someone else. The thing is...We are supposed to have this good will towards others all year long.
Conclusion:
We look around and everywhere we see signs of the world’s idea of Christmas. Let’s not forget what Christmas really is. Let’s teach our children about the birth of Jesus, and let them know that Christmas isn’t just about presents, and Santa Clause, it’s about the greatest gift ever. The birth of the one that died for our sins so that we can have everlasting life.
