Title: Keeping Christmas Well
Author: Robert Dawson
Text: Philippians 2:1-11
When JM was at LPE. He had the lead role in their 5th grade play. He was Scrooge from Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. He was a convincing pint-sized Scrooge. When we think of Ebenezer Scrooge, we immediately think of a miserly bitter man who loves money, sees people as an annoyance and hates Christmas. Bah. Humbug.
If someone is grumpy and greedy, especially around the holidays, we say one of two things, "Don't be a Grinch," or "Don't be a Scrooge."Ebenezer Scrooge is cemented in people's minds as this messed-up model of selfish greed and regret.
How often do we recall the Scrooge at the end of the story?
After his encounters with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, Ebenezer Scrooge is a changed man. Rather than the epitome of greed he is the model of generosity, compassion and Christmas cheer.
Dickens writes, "He knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge." What a great description! He did not just celebrate Christmas, he kept it well.
Many of us celebrated Christmas this last week. Did we keep it well? More importantly, will we keep it throughout the new year? Christmas is more than trees, feasts, presents, holiday cheer and traditions. Keeping Christmas well means embodying the truths of Christmas every day.
The heart and spirit of Christmas should not be confined to a season. As believers, it should characterize our lives year-round.
Today, we turn to Philippians 2 to ask, "How can we keep Christmas well all year long?" We will read the first 11 verses of the chapter together, but our focus will be verses 5-11. They describe what life looks like when Jesus is on display.
Philippians 2.1-11 - Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining ...
Author: Robert Dawson
Text: Philippians 2:1-11
When JM was at LPE. He had the lead role in their 5th grade play. He was Scrooge from Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. He was a convincing pint-sized Scrooge. When we think of Ebenezer Scrooge, we immediately think of a miserly bitter man who loves money, sees people as an annoyance and hates Christmas. Bah. Humbug.
If someone is grumpy and greedy, especially around the holidays, we say one of two things, "Don't be a Grinch," or "Don't be a Scrooge."Ebenezer Scrooge is cemented in people's minds as this messed-up model of selfish greed and regret.
How often do we recall the Scrooge at the end of the story?
After his encounters with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, Ebenezer Scrooge is a changed man. Rather than the epitome of greed he is the model of generosity, compassion and Christmas cheer.
Dickens writes, "He knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge." What a great description! He did not just celebrate Christmas, he kept it well.
Many of us celebrated Christmas this last week. Did we keep it well? More importantly, will we keep it throughout the new year? Christmas is more than trees, feasts, presents, holiday cheer and traditions. Keeping Christmas well means embodying the truths of Christmas every day.
The heart and spirit of Christmas should not be confined to a season. As believers, it should characterize our lives year-round.
Today, we turn to Philippians 2 to ask, "How can we keep Christmas well all year long?" We will read the first 11 verses of the chapter together, but our focus will be verses 5-11. They describe what life looks like when Jesus is on display.
Philippians 2.1-11 - Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining ...
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