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Back to Sermons Index Back to Home Page 9th December 2007 Carols by Sunset - Shelley ForeshoreWHAT IS CHRISTMAS ALL ABOUT ? Pastor Colin Meadows
Ø Christmas – what a great time of the year! Holidays from school, swimming, catching up with friends, BBQ’s, watching movies. Then along comes Christmas Day, when the kids in your home for that one day of the year get up early! Even before sunup, you hear the noises and you know that your time is up. The children are curiously and anxiously seeking to inspect those mysterious parcels under the Christmas tree. After what seems to be an eternity to a young child, the adults finally get up and off come the wrapping paper, torn to shreds in the rush. Then the children begin to attack the food on the table! But there is more to Christmas than gifts and eating lots of food. I’d like to mention some things about Christmas that are important… Some things to remember this Christmas Ø The Christmas tree – this is a tree that is always green, that does not lose its leaves. Traditionally the tree is a pine tree, a tree able to live and survive under almost any circumstances. It protects from danger and provides shade and shelter. It is a tree that speaks of growth and life, of life that never ends. Christ came at Christmas time to bring us such life. He spoke of eternal life, to be with God forever. When you see the Christmas tree, think about the life forever that only Christ can bring. Ø
The Wreath – is often
hung on our front doors. It is a circle, having neither beginning nor ending,
just like the love of God for us all. Christ came to this world to
demonstrate, in a way that we could understand, God’s unending love. Ø The Star on the tree – This reminds us of the star that appeared long ago to guide the wise men to find Christ. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. This Christmas time, let us be filled with joy, like the wise men of old, as we see the star. Let us allow the star to guide us to Jesus Christ. Spend some time reading what the Bible says about him, and turn up at your local church. The book of Luke in chapters 1 and 2 help fill in some details. Wise men and women still seek him today. Allow the star to guide you this Christmas to discover just who Jesus Christ is. Ø The Angels –The angel met with Joseph and told him that Mary would give birth to a son. They were to call him Jesus because he would save his people from their sins. Then the angels were messengers who brought the good news to the shepherds. Today in the town of David a Savour has been born, Christ the Lord, the Messiah, the promised one. What wonderful news was this! The promised rescuer of humanity had come, Jesus. The angels thus were messengers who brought the good news about Jesus. Ø The Christmas Bell – this bell to me draws attention to the song that was song on that first Christmas day: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” Listen to the words of the carols and the words from the Bible that you are hearing this evening. Listen to the bells and follow the Christ child. Ø The Candle – Many of us have a candle in our hands tonight, a candle that reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world. It is difficult to walk in darkness - we need light to show us the way. As we listen to the words of Jesus and seek to obey him so we will begin to walk in the light. Draw near to the light this Christmas. Draw near to Jesus, the light of the world. Ø The Candy Cane – that little red and white striped candy that is shaped like a shepherd’s crook. When we see that let it remind you that Jesus Christ is our Great Shepherd, the one who is searching for his lost sheep, longing that they return home. Return home to Jesus Christ the Great Shepherd this Christmas. Ø The Holly – green prickly leaves that remind us of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when he went to his death for us all. He died for our sins but he rose again on the third day, and is now with his father in heaven. When you see the holly, remember Jesus Christ who died for us all. Ø The presents under the tree – Finally we come to the gifts under the tree. We love to give each other gifts at Christmas. Shops are just humming these days with people seeking to buy suitable gifts. Is hard to get a parking spot! This year apparently the favourite and most sought after gifts for young girls are Barbie and Bratz dolls. For young boys their favourite anticipated gifts for this Christmas are transformers and video games. Sought after gifts for older people in Australia are a little different and a little more expensive: A digital camera, mobile phone, mp3 player, ipod, a DVD, jewellery, a pet, chocolate and wine, a robot (I’d like one that could mow the lawn) and holiday packages! As I think about Christmas, the most precious gift of all is the one what God has offered to us, his son Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 You see, Christmas is all about Jesus Christ, the Saviour whom we have been singing about tonight, the precious gift from God. Let us thus say thank you to God this Christmas as we remember what this Christmas season is all about. By faith, accept his gift to us with grateful hearts! Then in response to God’s great gift to us, let us offer back to God the most precious gift that we have, our own lives. The wise men long ago brought gifts to Jesus, treasured possessions of gold, incense and myrrh. The most treasured possession you and I can bring to Jesus is our lives. Let us do so this Christmas, placing our lives in his hands. What is Christmas all about? It is all about Jesus Christ. May God bless you and may you and your family have a safe and blessed Christmas!
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