Meaning of Christmas

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

What is the real meaning of Christmas?

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Purpose: Do we go through all the decorating, & buying presents, & preparing elaborate meals, but somehow forget whose birthday it really is? What does Christmas mean to you?

At Christmas time we find ourselves getting all wrapped up with the business of the holiday rather than the true meaning of what Christmas is all about. This Christmas I pray that we can focus on the greatest gift of all, the gift that God sent to us through the Virgin Mary long ago.
It seems that throughout the years we, instead of realizing the true meaning of Christmas, have wrapped Jesus up with wrapping paper decorated with Santa, Sugar plums, Egg Nog and the almighty dollar.
- It is time we unwrap JESUS and realize what Christmas is all about. This month we will be unwrapping Christmas to get a better look at it and to enjoy what God has given to us. Let’s unwrap the best present of all!

A. What do you think Christmas means to the non-Christian. To someone that has never accepted His love and forgiveness.
- What do you think Christmas means to someone that lives in a far off region, living in a hut, who knows nothing of Santa, presents or Christmas trees? What do you suppose Christmas mean to them?

- What do you think it means to little children in a third world country with no running water & empty bellies? What does Christmas mean to them?

- What Christmas means to each of you. Do you cherish the truths?

B. I’m sure that it means different things to different people.

To merchants it is the busiest time of the year. Stores stay open longer, & hire extra people to accommodate all the shoppers. It means more profit, hopefully enough profit to see them through lean times ahead.
For some employees it means a Christmas bonus, a little more money in their pockets to do things that they want to do.

For many teen-agers & adults it is a time of fun & parties. For children it is a time of impatience, with time seeming to pass so slowly, as they wait for Christmas morning.

Illustration: But sometimes I get the feeling that we are like the folks who decided to throw a party to honor a very special friend. They sent out invitations, decorated the hall, & had the food catered. All the people came together at the designated time, but to their surprise, the guest of honor was not there.

Finally, they made the embarrassing discovery that no one had ever invited the guest of honor.

- I wonder? Do we go through all the decorating, & buying presents, & preparing elaborate meals, but somehow forget whose birthday it really is?

- It isn’t our birthday, is it? It’s the Lord’s birthday & it’s a time to remember His birth & what it is supposed to mean to us.

So please READ Luke 2:8-14. CONTINUE TOMORROW

LET US PRAY
LORD JESUS I INVITE YOU WITH THE WHOLE OF MY HEART IN TO MY LIFE, COME AND TAKE YOUR PLACE IN ME IN JESUS NAME AND LET YOUR PURPOSE BE FULFIL IN ME FOREVER

GOOD MORNING BRETHREN AND HAPPY XMAS