The Promise of Christmas
Rex Yancey
Isaiah 9:2-6
Every year 24,000 plus Americans end their own lives. Estimates are that another 75,000 destroy themselves but remain unidentified as suicide victims. At least one American commits suicide every twenty minutes. For every one who succeeds ten people make a serious attempt.
Many of these suicides and attempted suicides happen right after Christmas. In fact, I have read that more happen around the Christmas season than at any other time of the year.
Why? I think that would be a legitimate question in our minds. It is because people get all built up for the Christmas season and it does not meet their expectations. They live for a hope, a promise, a high, and it just does not measure up. They feel that if they cannot experience a yearly high at Christmas, then when can they? If there is no hope then, then when is there hope?
Many people get excited about Christmas only to feel disappointed and depressed when it is over. Is it because they expected something that was never promised?
The true promise of Christmas is filled with hope and expectation. It is not in the receiving of gifts. It is in the spirit of self-giving. Jesus said, ''It is more blessed to give than to receive.'' You will receive more happiness and joy in life and less misery if you learn the principle of self-giving.
Look with me at the promise of Christmas.
1. THE PROMISE OF CHRISTMAS IS A REVELATION.
The people that walked ion darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
It had become utterly dark on the horizon of Israel. Death had cast its shadow over the land because of the apostasy of the people. The remnant of Israel sees spiritual and material redemption coming to the people. This was prophesy that was not to be fulfilled until the coming of Christ.
1. It is a revelation of darkness.
No one can fully perceive the darkness until they come to ...
Rex Yancey
Isaiah 9:2-6
Every year 24,000 plus Americans end their own lives. Estimates are that another 75,000 destroy themselves but remain unidentified as suicide victims. At least one American commits suicide every twenty minutes. For every one who succeeds ten people make a serious attempt.
Many of these suicides and attempted suicides happen right after Christmas. In fact, I have read that more happen around the Christmas season than at any other time of the year.
Why? I think that would be a legitimate question in our minds. It is because people get all built up for the Christmas season and it does not meet their expectations. They live for a hope, a promise, a high, and it just does not measure up. They feel that if they cannot experience a yearly high at Christmas, then when can they? If there is no hope then, then when is there hope?
Many people get excited about Christmas only to feel disappointed and depressed when it is over. Is it because they expected something that was never promised?
The true promise of Christmas is filled with hope and expectation. It is not in the receiving of gifts. It is in the spirit of self-giving. Jesus said, ''It is more blessed to give than to receive.'' You will receive more happiness and joy in life and less misery if you learn the principle of self-giving.
Look with me at the promise of Christmas.
1. THE PROMISE OF CHRISTMAS IS A REVELATION.
The people that walked ion darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
It had become utterly dark on the horizon of Israel. Death had cast its shadow over the land because of the apostasy of the people. The remnant of Israel sees spiritual and material redemption coming to the people. This was prophesy that was not to be fulfilled until the coming of Christ.
1. It is a revelation of darkness.
No one can fully perceive the darkness until they come to ...
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