Christmas Eve 2020

Send cards to people you forgot and they sent one to you

Make final preparation for guest.

Spend more money on presents you forgot.

That may not be exact, but I am close.

Some of you add office parties, youth activities, family parties, and by the end of it all…baau humbug! You cannot wait till it is over.

Your more like the Grinch than you think.

Ever notice, no one ever helps or volunteers to take the decorations down- because you have had enough Christmas.

Christ is the greatest gift- second point- overcoming the stress so that you can enjoy Christmas.

I love Christmas. As a pastor, it is one of the highlights of the year.

It is a stressful time of the year- this year has added some new dimensions to stressful.

Makes me tired just thinking about it. I could use the ten cups of coffee I talked about before- throw in the power drinks.

Stress:

Annoys you

Threatens you

Worries you

Hurries you

Angers you

Frustrates you

Everything you need to “Enjoy Christmas” right?

Here is some stress relief

Set realistic goals for yourself. You cannot be Superman or Wonder Women

Quote- Being unprepared on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part”

Remember why you are celebrating Christmas

Don’t lose focus

Don’t let the season of giving take you to the place of emptiness.

The last thought this evening- “Presents or Presence”

Back to the text- Matt 2:8-11

“And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they heard the King, they departed. And lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him, and when they opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.”

Did you catch verse 11?

They came to where Christ was.

They searched for Him and found Him.

They fell down and worshiped Him.

They opened their treasures and presented them to Christ.

They opened up their hearts and lives and gave Him their very best.

So don’t forget about God’s begotten Son, and make it God’s forgotten Son.

I am not telling you to not give gifts-

I am telling you to not forget Jesus in the process.

Ask a serviceman or women what they want this Christmas. It would not be a boxed present. It would be the presence of their family.

Illustration-

A little boy paid a visit to Santa in the department store and presented him with a list of requests. A bicycle, a train, a bat and ball, a rocket set, and an airplane. Santa was impressed. He says, thanks for the list. I’ll check between now and Christmas to see whether or not you’ve been a good boy. The little boy reached over to take the list back and said, “never mind, I’ll settle for the bicycle.”

It is presence over gifts.

The cradle without the cross means nothing.

The story does not end at the cradle.

But it does not end at the cross either. Each one shows the Agape love of God.