The Meaning Of Christmas

And then maybe the most beautiful words of all about the kingdom, Revelation 21 will come true, "And I heard a loud voice saying, ‘Now the dwelling place of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’" You think about these words, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away."

Anybody want to live in a world like that? No more kleenex; no more funeral homes. We will turn caskets into toy chests. Hearses will be converted to sports utility vehicles with names like "Eternal Voyager" and "Jeep Grand Resurrection." And there will be counselors, but you’ll only go to them when you are so full of gratitude and joy, that you’re willing to pay somebody, just to get them to listen to you right now.

And every day you will be home with God, never separated by sin. In Ezekiel it says that God promises, "I will remove their hearts of stone and replace them with a heart of flesh." No more stony hearts; no more cold hearts; no more stubborn hearts. You’ll never say something that you’ll regret later. You’ll never do anything to be ashamed of. You’ll never do anything to feel guilty about.

When you see somebody else’s success or beauty or wealth it won’t even occur to you to be envious, but only to rejoice as if you had these things yourself. Every tribe and tongue and people and nation will gather like brothers and sisters around the throne, and listen - think about this: You will see the living God. No more doubt, no more questions, no more why.

You will look into the face of God, and he will be your God, and we will be his people. And your every thought will be a prayer, and your every prayer will be a conversation with God. And God himself will wipe every tear from your eye, and then he’ll remove the tear ducts, and he’ll point his finger and sadness and sorrow will be banished.

There will joy inexpressible. Isaiah says, "The trees of the field will clap their hands."

That’s a picture of the future that Christmas brings… AND – that future is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit, the power of God and the words of Jesus… “When everything is ready, I will come back and get you… So that you will always be with me where I am…”

Christmas Means…Your Present Can Be Full

LISTEN – Christmas not only means that your past can be forgiven and your future can be guaranteed… BUT it also means that your life here and now can be full…

QUESTION – if you were to take a poll of people in America age 12 and up and asked them – if they felt fulfilled in life, if they were content… what do you think most people would say…? Which % do you think would be greater, those who said yes or those who said no?

NOW – we all know that people are not unfulfilled for a lack of trying… In fact people today are in a mad pursuit trying all kinds of things to bring them contentment; houses, cars, pleasures, relationships, good times, recreation, therapy, careers, you name it – BUT they are still pretty empty inside.