WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU? (4 OF 5)
by Rick White
Scripture: MATTHEW 1:18-25
This content is part of a series.
What Does Christmas Mean to You? (4 of 5)
Series: Hope For The Holidays
Dr. Rick White
Matthew 1:18-25
12/24/00
Introductions: Christmas means different things to different people. It may be based on emotions, traditions, expectations, etc. This morning we are going to hear from some people right in the community as they share with us their understanding of the real meaning of Christmas (video).
To really experience the real meaning of Christmas we have to understand what God says about why He came down to us.
(Read Matthew 1:18-25 NIV)
THE MYTHS and MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
X Christmas Is For Decorating.
Now please don't get the wrong idea. I love Christmas decorations. I happen to be married to one of those women who looks for a reason to decorate. We decorate for everything that comes along (Christmas, New Years, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, Super Bowl Sunday, Ground Hog Day, etc.). We have had some unbelievable decorating experiences over the years. As far as we are concerned the all time classic Christmas movie is Christmas Vacation because it resembles real life to us. We identify!
However for many people decorating for the season is only an outside symbol for an inside reality. They are decorating or using some form of cosmetics to cover up the hurt that is on the inside of life. Have you ever been to a party where you are having to maintain one image on the outside while coming apart on the inside?
+ Christmas Is God Coming Into Our Pain.
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience but shouts in our pain: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." (C.S. Lewis; 1898-1963)
Luke 4:18-21 (TLB)
18-19"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who ...
Series: Hope For The Holidays
Dr. Rick White
Matthew 1:18-25
12/24/00
Introductions: Christmas means different things to different people. It may be based on emotions, traditions, expectations, etc. This morning we are going to hear from some people right in the community as they share with us their understanding of the real meaning of Christmas (video).
To really experience the real meaning of Christmas we have to understand what God says about why He came down to us.
(Read Matthew 1:18-25 NIV)
THE MYTHS and MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
X Christmas Is For Decorating.
Now please don't get the wrong idea. I love Christmas decorations. I happen to be married to one of those women who looks for a reason to decorate. We decorate for everything that comes along (Christmas, New Years, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, Super Bowl Sunday, Ground Hog Day, etc.). We have had some unbelievable decorating experiences over the years. As far as we are concerned the all time classic Christmas movie is Christmas Vacation because it resembles real life to us. We identify!
However for many people decorating for the season is only an outside symbol for an inside reality. They are decorating or using some form of cosmetics to cover up the hurt that is on the inside of life. Have you ever been to a party where you are having to maintain one image on the outside while coming apart on the inside?
+ Christmas Is God Coming Into Our Pain.
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience but shouts in our pain: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." (C.S. Lewis; 1898-1963)
Luke 4:18-21 (TLB)
18-19"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who ...
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