WHAT IS CHRISTMAS ABOUT? By Pastor YAU
Text: Luke 2:8-17 December 20, 2009.
INTRODUCTION: Christmas means different thing to different people. Here are some common ones:
1) It is about making money: To merchants and stores, Christmas is the best time to make sales and make money.
2) It is about having vacation: To many in America, Christmas is the best time for vacation, visit family and friends or for fun.
3) It is about having time to relax: Almost a week or more between Christmas and New Year is the best time to relax, time for family.
4) It is about shopping, gifts, cards, parties, food and fun. Christmas is the biggest time for all these and feel you deserve.
5) It is about . . . . . you name it, you add things you want to do at Christmas and the list goes on and on.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
(Luke 2:8-17)
1) It is about a gift from God: “And the angels of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified.” (2:9) God has a gift to the world and He sent his messengers to announce the message: a Savior is coming. John put it this way: For God so loved the (people of the) world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (3:16)
2) It is about the Good News: “But the angel said to them: Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (2:10) The news God sent to the world is more than good, it is better than that bc it will bring great joy to all people regardless of education, background, financial power, social, race, status or any other difference. You have this great news.
3) It is about a Savior: “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you, and he is Christ, the Lord.” (2:11) Jesus is more than a teacher, a healer, an evangelist or preacher, a social reformer or a revolutionary to make the world a better place. He is a Savior who will die to pay the judgment of the sins of the world. He will save us from eternal loss and condemnation of sin. He will give us eternal life with God.
4) It is about praising God: “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angels, praising God.” One of the most common symbols of Christmas is the Christmas Carols and hymns in praising God. Christmas without praising God for His love and mercy is unconceivable. Christmas music is one of the most important parts of all Christian music. We praise God for his love and mercy in sending us His Son at Christmas time.
5) It is about making peace: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (2:14)There will never be true peace in earth without the peace of God. Jesus made way for peace between God and men and man to man. We need to learn to forgiving each other as God has forgiven us, then there is real peace on earth.
6) It is about personal seeking: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to each other: Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us. So they hurried off and found Mary, Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger.” (2:15-16) The best time to seek and know about Jesus is at Christmas time. This is the first step for you to see the Lord, to believe in him and be saved. No other seeking may come close to seeking to know God.
7) It is about spreading the news: “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” (2:17) Christmas news is not to be kept secret. It is to be announced to the world, especially to the lost people, to those who don’t know the true meaning of it. Go to their place or invite them into your home so you can share this good news with them for the salvation of their souls.
CONCLUSION:
1) It’s nothing wrong: It is nothing wrong to make sales and make money, to travel and have vacation, or to have party and food or just to relax during Christmas. If you can invite some lonely people, under-privilege people to have a home cook dinner, to buy and give them some gifts they may not able to buy, or to spend time with family otherwise you won’t have time for them.
2) But this is much better: But it is much better if you know and receive the gift of God, the Savior Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. It is better if you will make peace with God and people, ridding any obstacles between you and those you have problem with. It is better if you will seek to see Jesus each morning at your devotional time and help to spread the Good News of salvation to people in your life circle.
If you can do some of the suggestions listed above, I believe your Christmas this year will be more meaningful and joyous.