Keeping Christmas from Becoming ChristMESS (Pt. 1)

With all of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, I thought it would be good to take a moment to help us focus on ways to keep Christ in Christmas.

For the next blog entries, I am going to be presenting 4 main points under the topic of "Keeping Christmas from Becoming ChristMESS". These steps will help you keep your sanity and focus during what is sometimes the most stressful time of the year.

1. Remember The Reason -

Before we ever do anything of great value, there has to be an answer to the "why" question we all face. It is very clear to look around and see "what" happens at Christmas, and while we all may have varying opinions of "what Christmas is all about", we must know the reason why we do what we do.

Debates exist about the purpose of the Christmas tree, the actual date of the birth of Christ, and more, however, this is not about all the practices of Christmas, but is more about the CHRIST of Christmas.

The first reason for the Christmas celebration is to remember...

A. The Birth of Jesus Christ -

Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. It is to celebrate the birth of the most profound life that has ever been born in this world. Jesus Christ was conceived and born like no other child ever had been before and since... the Virgin Birth. Matthew 1:23 - "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

For those who don't believe in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, probably just "left the building". However, for those who realize there is a God bigger and greater than we are, who created the world and all that is within it, also know that if God can do all of that, then surely He can do the impossible. If God can't do the impossible, then is he really God? I submit to you that He is and that Christmas is about the celebration of the great miracle of the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ.

The second thing we need to remember is...

B. The Example of the Father

Why all the focus on the giving of gifts at Christmas? Well, I will be the first one to say that things have gotten a bit out of hand for sure! We will cover that area in a few days.

However, the main thing to remember on this topic is that the example of the Father is giving! John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The greatest gift to mankind came from the greatest Giver. The Heavenly Father showed us what it meant to be extremely generous by sending His Son into a world that for the most part rejected Him then, and continues to reject Him now.

Like you, I have to chuckle a bit as I drive by homes and businesses that have absolutely no time for Christ in their lives during the year are lit up with lights beyond imagination. I believe it's important that when you "light up", that you are already "lit up"! Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

In the next Blog entries, we will look at the following points:

II. Respond to Opportunities
III. Reject The Pressure
IV. Rejoice In Your Blessings

Remember to take time during this busy Christmas Season to remember the reason for celebration so that you don't make a "mess" out of Christmas!