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."
THE BELLS ON THE TREE
Just as lost sheep are guided to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to the fold.
Teach the world to follow the true Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep."
THE CANDY CANE
"The candy cane is a stick of hard white candy.
White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock of the foundation of the church, the firmness of God’s promises.
The candy cane is in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth
It also represents the Good Shepherd’s crook, which he uses to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who like all sheep, have gone astray.
The original candy cane had three small red stripes, which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus, so that we can have the promise of eternal life. Teach these things to the world
THE CHRISTMAS WREATH
Wreaths are made of fresh, fragrant greenery tied with a bright red bow. "
The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection, which is love.
The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for those with eyes to see and hearts to understand.
It contains the colors of red and green and the heaven turned needles of the evergreen.
The bow tells the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice.
Even its very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ’s love. It is a circle, without a beginning and without end.
These are the things you must teach the world."
THE GIFTS
LETS NOT FORGET THE GIFTS
WITH EACH GIFT WE ARE REMINDED OF THE GREATEST GIFT EVER GIVEN, THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS
JUST AS THE CHRIST CHILD WAS WRAPPED IN SWADLING CLOTHES, SO ARE THE GIFTS TODAY WRAPPED
IN THE COLORS OF THE WRAPPING PAPER THERE IS A MESSAGE OF REDEMPTION
GREEN – ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH CHRIST
RED – THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
BLUE – HEAVEN
WHITE - RIGHTEOUSNESS
PURPLE – THE COLOR OF ROYALTY
GOLD - THE COLOR OF WEALTH, A REMINDER OF THE PRICE THAT CHRIST PAID FOR OUR SINS
AND ON ALL OF THESE THERE IS A BOW
The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection, which is love.
THERE IS SO MUCH THAT WE CAN TELL THE WORLD ABOUT CHRISTMAS, AND ABOUT CHRIST
It represents the spirit of family and the joy of giving and receiving.
If the world is taught these things, there is no danger that Christmas will ever be forgotten."
IT IS UP TO US TO BRING CHRIST BACK TO CHRISTMAS
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
