weekly sermon

                12-21-08

Merry Christmas To All

As was stated in last week's message, this time of year is a time we get together with family and friends, go to church services, give and receive gifts, and celebrate Christmas as we have had so many years in our past, in our own family traditions. During this time of year we MUST not forget the real reason for the season. I will attempt to go over many things in this message about this holiday.

Let me start off with one of the most popular current ways of communication available. I am talking about what I am using here, the internet. There are so many email propagandas flying through the internet talking about how the word "Christmas" is being removed from this time of year. I want to present this message with a few different opinions than normal and let you all decide what you really think.

We are in a very "politically correct" age where everyone must watch what they say or how they say it. We all have a fear of upsetting someone or hurting someone's feelings. You know what? I really do not care about hurting any feelings when I present a message. I tell the story in the Bible. If feelings get hurt, then they must take a true look at the feelings they have to see if they represent the one true God that the Bible talks about. Do not get me wrong about that statement, I care deeply about their feelings, but I just do not care if feelings get hurt. If one truly looks at any message from God and molds their actions to those feelings, then no feelings would ever be in danger of being hurt. Now that I have made this statement, let us get into this special message.

In every email concerning the words "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" that I have read, the one major common factor is what we are to call this time of year and the anger of the ones that think it should always stay "Merry Christmas". There are a few things here that really make me think. These emails literally span the globe and land in the hands of millions of folks, with millions of folks passing them on. This tells me that there are millions that truly believe that it should be Merry Christmas and NOT happy holidays. If this is the case, then why is it that millions can not stand against a few making this a non-issue every Christmas season. This is a very soar thorn in my side and has been for many many years. The voice of the few is louder than the voice of the many. Why is this? The voice of the few do not care if they hurt the feelings of the many, whereas the many care about the feelings of the few and choose to keep their opinions quiet. Yes, emails are sent and attempts are made, but that is not a true voice. The email system is just that, words on a screen and not voices speaking out in public to take a stand. I have a message posted on here, some time ago, about baby Christians vs. aged Christians. When I say baby, I mean ones that are new found in the body of Christ. Aged Christians I refer to as those that have been part of the body of Christ for some time. Baby Christians are fresh and on fire whereas some aged Christians are satisfied in sitting on the sidelines and just living their lives quietly as children of Christ. First and foremost, I want it to be known that in my house it is, and always will be, Merry Christmas. I also want it to be known that if we ever want to make a difference, then we must become a voice for God and stand on the mountain tops and proclaim Christ.

I know that this is far from a normal Christmas message. I know that so far it really hasn't had anything do with Christmas, but I am making a point here concerning the verbage of how to wish someone a Merry Christmas. I want us now to get into the true reason so many are upset over the differences in the verbage. How did the true word of Christmas originate? Christmas was actually two words, "Christ" and "Mas". This, from the beginning derived from the Greek Christos and the Latin word Missa. Christos meaning "Christ" and Missa meaning "holy mass". Now that we know that we can derive that Christ is part of the original meaning and should never be removed.

Let us get into the true message that we are here to see at this time. I want us to read, probably, the most popular Christian passage at this time of year. It is the story of the very first Christmas gift given, the gift of a new born baby named Jesus. The reason we are supposed to celebrate this season. Turn with me if you will to the 2nd chapter of Luke.

Luke 2:4-30, "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) (5)To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. (6)And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (7)And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (8)And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9)And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (10)And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (11)For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (12)And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (13)And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (14)Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (15)And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (16)And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (17)And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (18)And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (19)But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart. (20)And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (21)And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (22)And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord; (23)(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) (24)And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. (25)And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. (26)And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (27)And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, (28)Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, (29)Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: (30)For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,"

Let us take a look at a few things we have just read here. Joseph has just journeyed up from Galilee to Nazareth to be taxed with his espoused wife, who was great with child. We can see here that Joseph has fulfilled his obligation, that the Lord told him in a dream, of taking Mary as his wife, as she was now espoused and it says wife. It also shows that she was pregnant and then gave birth. She gave birth to her son, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger. Swaddling clothes are strips of cloth that were wrapped around a newborn and the quality of the cloth determined whether the folks were poor or rich. As we know from the life of Joseph and Mary, they were not wealthy so the clothes were basically rags. The only reason I bring up the swaddling clothes is to show what the conditions were when Jesus was born. There was no room in the inn for them to stay and they had to stay in the barn area with animals. This manger, that Mary laid her baby in, was a trough to feed the animals. I find this so very amazing. I know that sounds strange that I find that Christ being laid in a feed trough is amazing, but I think this means something. We come to Christ to feed on His amazing grace and He was first laid in a place where some came to feed. So from His first breath He was in the feeding position.

As we see there were shepherds tending their flocks in the fields. This also tells us something. This tells us that Christ was not born in the month of December. Sheep were not kept in fields from October or November until the spring due to the winter conditions. Of course this does not mean that we should not celebrate Christmas, as we do not know the true date that Christ was born. Then it states that the Lord came to them, making the prophecy of Isaiah a true fact. Isaiah said that the Lord himself would give a sign. Here we see the sign given. Now we see that the angel told the shepherds that they brought good tidings of great joy. What do you see here? Why was there great joy? Good tidings. Christ is the good tidings, the gift given, the true reason they were going there. Also notice that along with the angel came a multitude of the Heavenly host praising God. Notice it states "of the Heavenly host". Christ was the host sent from Heaven. This was truly a great birthday celebration.

The shepherds found Joseph, Mary and of course the baby Jesus. The next few lines to me are some of the greatest in this passage. It states that the shepherds went in haste to see Jesus. As soon as the shepherds heard from the angel, they ran, haste means moved fast, to see this Heavenly host. Then it says after the shepherds had seen the baby Jesus, they got so excited they went out and told everyone they found abroad, or all over. That is an exciting piece of information. Jesus should always makes us that excited. Remember the baby Christian thing we talked about earlier. Once they had spread the word they returned to praise this newborn baby called Jesus.

I want us to look closely at the last piece of this scripture, about Simeon. God had told Simeon that since he was such a just and devout man that he would not die until he had seen the baby Jesus. This is like the box. What I mean is once we open our gift on Christmas eve or morning, whenever your family does it, we just toss out the box. But Simeon saw passed the gift, being Jesus, to the proverbial box. Look again at what Simeon said, 'God you can now allow me to depart (die), according to God's word, for my eyes have seen your salvation'. Yes Simeon saw the gift, Christ, that was given on this first Christmas morning, but he saw past that lovely gift to the true gift, Salvation.

In closing, let us reflect on this time of year. We are to come together to NOT celebrate Christmas, but to celebrate the birth of Christ. This is a birthday party where we should be giving our gifts to Him, not to each other. Remeber to allow Jesus into your home as it is His birthday. Invite Him to the celebration for He is the host of the party. If we truly want to celebrate Christmas let us give gifts to Christ, the only thing He wants, our souls. If we really want to receive our gift at this time, then let us look at the true gift, salvation.

We celebrate Christmas as the day Christ was born by giving each other gifts and arguing whether the word Christmas should be replaced by holidays when in all reality we should be celebrating His birth and not what mass media has depicted as the reason for this holiday. The word Christmas or holiday is all in the mind. Put your mind on Christ and it will not matter what mass media depicts. From what we have learned about the shepherds, we have no clue when Christ was born, so we should be celebrating His birth all year round. If you want to celebrate Christmas by receiving a gift, then receive the gift that was given by God at Christ's birth, salvation. If you want to celebrate by giving then stop the media bitterness and give the gift of Christ to all you know and if you do not know Him then give your soul as your gift to Christ.

If you have never given your soul to Christ, the ONE true gift Christ wants, then all you would have to do is say a simple prayer with me.

Say this simple prayer with me, Dear Lord, I want you to be the Lord over my life, forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.

If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
 

With Love in Christ,

Pastor Stone