Skip to main content

What Christmas Is All About 12/22

John 3:16-18

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

How do you explain the meaning of Christmas in just a few words? The best way I know is today’s scripture John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

No one could out do what God has already done. No one could give a greater gift than what God has already given. I would like to consider what the meaning of Christmas this week.

Christmas means a lot of things to a lot of different people.
To some, Christmas is…

• A time of shopping and spending
• A time of drinking and Partying
• A time of traveling and entertaining
• A time for family gatherings and family disagreements
• A time for getting something

What is the real meaning of Christmas? For me Christmas is a time for remembrance, Christmas is a time for Giving, Christmas is a time for Saving, Christmas is a time for Changing, and Christmas is a time for rejoicing!

Yes! Even with the all the bad economic news we are hearing about the state of our economy, Christmas is a time for rejoicing! Rejoicing in the uniqueness of Jesus’ life, His teachings, His miracles, His prophesies, His birth, His death, and more importantly Jesus’ resurrection! YES REJOICE!

In my readings I have found a comparison of Santa Claus and our Lord Jesus in a piece called "Santa Versus Jesus" Check this out!

• Santa lives at the North Pole. Jesus lives everywhere.
• Santa rides in a sleigh. Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.
• Santa comes once a year. Jesus is an ever present help.
• Santa comes down your chimney. Jesus stands at your door of your heart and knocks.
• Santa fills your stockings with goodies. Jesus supplies all your needs.
• You have to wait in line to see Santa. Jesus is as close as the mention of His name.
• Santa lets you sit in his lap. Jesus holds you in His hands.
• Santa has a belly like a bowl of jelly. Jesus has a heart of love.
• Santa’s little helpers make new toys. Jesus makes new lives.
• Santa puts gifts under your tree. Jesus became our gift of everlasting life!

Now the truth is nobody wants to stop the celebration, that's not the idea, not the commercial world anyway, they want the money, not the government, they need the taxes that buying and selling and traveling produces and not the party goers, they want the fun. If we can just have the party without Jesus, everybody will be happy. The birthday of Jesus, frankly, has become very useful. It has immense pragmatic value, if you can just keep Jesus out of it. You might get the impression based upon that that Jesus is an insignificant person. No one could ever out do what God has done. No one could give a greater gift than what God has already given.

In closing, it is a time like this to take every opportunity we can to make sure that people do understand what Christmas is really all about. Now I'm not defending December 25 as if it were actual day that Jesus was born, that's very unlikely. I'm not defending all of the stuff that goes on around Christmas, but I am saying if the world is going to give us an opportunity to focus on the birth of Jesus Christ, let's take advantage of it. Let's take advantage of it in order to worship and praise and rejoice in Him because that's right and in order to speak of Him to those who so much need to hear. There are foolish people who want to eliminate Jesus Christ, keep the party just get rid of the reason. And in so doing in their effort to gain the world, they lose their soul. We have a tremendous responsibility to them. Continue to “WATCH AND PRAY” to truly have a personal “ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS!”

Have a Merry Christmas!
In the name of Jesus… Amen!

By: Elder Michael L. Hargett
Copyright 2008 © MinTech, Inc.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“Truly Giving Thanks”

Monday, November 23, 2009 Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Truly Giving Thanks! I hear people proclaim that they thank God for this and thank God for that and I often wonder do they really mean what they say? Do folk really thank God for waking up in the morning? Do folk truly thank God for use of their right mind? Do folk really praise Him they way he deserves to be praised? For me, I believe most people say it because it has become custom and ritual rather than meaningful. Evident by the way most folk who proclaim these things live their lives. Actions speak louder than words! Folk say they thank God yet they do not live for him. For example, ever seen an award show and a popular performer receives a Grammy. They often begin their acceptance remarks by saying “First, I give honor to God.” But the recording and video they performed represente...
1 comment
Read more

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Isaiah 46:3-4 Listen to me...you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I found this illustration for Father’s Day. It is the story of Derek Redmond, a star runner in the 1992 Olympics. Derek was competing for the medal in the 400 meter race. Less than half-way through, he ripped a hamstring muscle and fell to the ground in agony. While the rest of the runners moved past him, Derek managed to get to his feet and began struggling to move forward. Then something caught the attention of the television cameras. Jim, his father, ran past security and onto the race track. At first Derek shrugged him away, saying, "I'm going to finish the race." Jim said to his son, "We've started everything together. We'll finish this together." He put his arm around his son and held him as they crossed the finish line together. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Reflections on My Navy Retirement June 29, 2009

I would be lost this morning without giving God thanks for the many blessings that he has bestowed upon me. Thank you to all of you that were able to attend my retirement from the Navy. Words cannot do justice to the depth of my gratitude for making such a monumental effort just to see me say goodbye to the Navy. God continues to bless me, as on Last Friday I had the opportunity to begin a new chapter in my life. Yes, this was a day that the Lord has made, I rejoiced and was glad in it. The word says that no eyes have seen no ears have heard what God has for those who love him. Seasons come and go, yet God’s presence is forever faithful. No moment from the past can cloud the vision that God has for us right now. With God all things are possible and we must trust in God to guide us into a new beginnings. And Yes, even after the Navy. I must first share our dreams and goals with God in prayer, and then led by his divine wisdom. This is why I center myself in the presence ...
Post a Comment
Read more