A Closer Look At Christmas

A CLOSER LOOK AT CHRISTMAS

LUKE 2: 1 – 14

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 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.

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN THAT WE SET ASIDE TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

WHILE THERE ARE MANY TODAY WHO NO LONGER WANT TO CALL THEIR CELEBRATION CHRISTMAS BUT SOMETHING LIKE A WINTER HOLIDAY OR SOME NONSENSE SUCH AS THAT

WHAT THEY DO NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT WIT OUT CHRIST THERE IS NO REASON TO CELEBRATE ANYTHING

WE OFTEN HEAR A GREAT DEAL OF TALK TODAY HOW THAT CHRISTMAS HAS GOTTEN AWAY FROM ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE

AND IT IS SO TRUE, CHRISTMAS TODAY IS NOTHING LIKE IT WAS JUST A FEW YEARS AGO

WE OFTEN HEAR MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE TO LAY THE BLAME ON

BUT DO YOU KNOW WHO THE REAL CULPRIT IS?

WE ARE THE CHURCH , US , WE ARE TO BLAME FOR CHRIST NOT BEING LIFTED UP FOR THIS WORLD TO SEE

WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TEACHING THE WORLD WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT, NOT JUST ON DECEMBER 25, BUT ALL YEAR LONG

AS WE LOOK AT SOME OF THE TRADITIONAL SIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS LETS SEE HOW WE CAN TEACH THE WORLD ABOUT CHRISTMAS

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE WAS FROM THE EVERGREEN FAMILY

Green is the second color of Christmas.

The stately evergreen, with its unchanging color, represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus.

Its needles point heavenward as a reminder that mankind’s thoughts should turn heavenward as well."

THE STAR

A shiny star placed at the top of the tree.

The star is the heavenly sign of promise.

God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise on the night that Jesus Christ was born.

We can teach the world that God always fulfills His promises, and that wise men still seek Him."

THE LIGHTS

WITH EACH CHRISTMAS LIGHT WE ARE REMINDED THAT JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

AND IN THESE COLORED LIGHTS THERE IS A MESSAGE OF REDEMPTION

RED – THE FIRST COLOR OF CHRISTMAS REMINDS US OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, SHED FOR OUR SIN

BLUE – REMINDS US OF HEAVEN WHERE IT ALL STARTED,

IT IS THE PLACE WHERE CHRIST CAME FROM, THE PLACE WHERE HE HAS ASCENDED BACK TO, AND THE PLACE WE ARE GOING SOME DAY SOON

WHITE – A REMINDER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHITE IS A SYMBOL OF PURITY

IT IS THROUGH CHRIST THAT WE ARE MADE RIGHTEOUS

PURPLE – THE COLOR OF ROYALTY

The glow of these lights represents how people can show their thanks for the gift of God’s son that Christmas Eve so long ago.

We can teach the world to follow in Christ’s footsteps...to go about doing good.

Teach them to let their light so shine before people that all may see it and that it glorifies God.

This is what is symbolized when the twinkle lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God’s precious children, their light shining for all to see."