Christmas Is Over...or Is It?

Christmas Is Over…Or Is It?

OPEN: Well…….today is the day after Christmas. I found this poem that you might enjoy.

'Twas the Day After Christmas

'Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,

Every creature was hurtin', even the mouse.

The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;

Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.

Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor, while

Upstairs the family continued to snore.

And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,

I went into the kitchen and started to clean.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.

The driver was smiling, so lively and grand;

The patch on his jacket said "U.S. POSTMAN."

With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox

Then quickly he stuffed our whole mail-box.

Bill after bill, after bill, they still came.

Whistling and shouting he called them by name:

"Now Dillard's, now Kohl’s, now Penney's and Sears

Here's Lack’s and Levitz and Target is here.

To the tip of your limit, every store, every mall,

Now charge away--charge away--charge away all!"

He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.

He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.

He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,

Driving much faster with just half a load.

Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,

"Enjoy what you got. . . . . .you'll be paying all year!"

TITLE: Today I want to speak to you on the subject “Christmas Is Over…..Or Is It?”

PLAY VIDEO: “Christmas Miracle” (from www.sermonspice.com)

You see, whether Christmas is over or not will depend upon our definition of Christmas. Is it an event, or a lifestyle change. If it's an event, then it IS over and won't occur for another 364 days. But, if Christmas is accepting who Christ is and becoming a Christ-follower, then Christmas is just beginning. I would contend that Christmas IS over for the world, but not for true Christ-followers. Christ-followers should never see Christmas as a date on a calendar, but as a reminder of what we are to do and who we are to emulate.

Scriptures

-Matt 6:27-36

-Galatians 6:9-11

-Hebrews 13:16

-Ephesians 2:10

-1 Timothy 6:17-19

• Some would say “but I’m not rich”. However, I encourage you to go to globalrichlist.com Put in your annual salary. For Longview the average income is $33k per year. If that is anywhere close to correct for you, you are in the Top 5.4% richest people in the world.

-Proverbs 3:27-29 (The Message Bible)

What if we didn't let Christmas be over (because Christ is in US). And what if we did two things.

# 1 - We asked God to Open Our Eyes to Help Those Around Us, and

• One of my favorite pastors, Tommy Barnett says this. "Find a need and fill it. Find a hurt and heal it.”

# 2 - We Used the Tools at Our Disposal To Encourage Others

• What tools?

o Facebook and Twitter

o Most of the things we put on Facebook and Twitter are useless and pointless (frivolous at best)

o Give Examples of frivolous posts. Note: these are actual, recent posts:

• “If you craving Chick fil a like me can I get a YEA !!!!!”

• buhhh it's cold! I am about to head to the casa, I got the job @ _ _ _ _ _ _ and I start tomorrow!!!~* ♥

• She's pretty as a field of daisies, She's sweeter than watermelon wine, Way hotter than the alabama asphalt and when I get her in these arms of mine. Lord have mercy I love her kisses, man I can't get enough kinda like chicken and biscuits

o What if THIS week, we used it to encourage other believers

o What if we told our story about how God led us and how we “found a hurt and healed it or found a need and filled it”

o But isn’t that bragging or boasting?

o No! Not if it’s done with the right heart. Think about the Book of Acts. Where would we be without the “original” Facebook and Twitter (the Book of Acts)

o It tells of all of the wonderful acts of the early Christ-followers

CLOSE: So Christmas Is Over…..Or IS It? That’s up to you. That’s up to the Holy Spirit leading you. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be over if you don’t want it to be because Christmas is not an event, it is the embodiment of all that Christ came to do and bring to us. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” When we do that, Christmas continues on.