When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. Luke 2:15-16
This Advent season here at NSBC we are celebrating Christmas a little differently. We are “Reframing Christmas”. By that we mean that we are looking at Christmas in a different light. Instead of focusing on shopping, spending more, doing more, etc…, we are focusing on four different points this season. They are Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All. Focusing on these four aspects of Christmas will make the true meaning of Christmas shine bright.
Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing - FIND HIM and WORSHIP HIM.
It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of Christmas means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest. The tragedy of life is that there are so many good things that force out the best. We can easily get caught up in all the shopping, parties, programs, etc…, and forget about focusing on the one thing that is most important. And then the season is over and the opportunity is gone for another year.
The world shows little priority to spiritual things. We must look for the miraculous amid the mundane. We are burdened with choices of things that are not bad in themselves, but in their amount they become burdensome and oppressive. We are not rushed and pushed by things that we don’t like or want to do but by too much of a good thing.
Take Time to Think it Through
And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2:18
Luke 2:18
Meditate on the real meaning of Christmas. The Incarnation was real. Christ’s identification was complete. His complete identification means he can save you, whatever your situation. The baby was born to die – Savior.
His understanding and sympathy are real because he had the same type of physical body we have, and still does. This baby was the anointed one – Christ.
That baby, God’s Son, demands our complete allegiance. This baby is Lord of all - Lord.
He really did come into the world, and because of this, he really can come into your heart.
Worship Fully - Faith
The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:20
Keeping Christmas to ourselves will rob us of the greatest opportunity we have to discover true joy and truly have a Merry Christmas. This time of the year is perfect for sharing your faith with your family.
· The whole reason for the season is found in the birth of Christ.
· “Faith” not only means trusting, the word is also used to define what we believe.
· Our beliefs should describe who we are.
Have you allowed Christmas to make a positive difference in your life? Do you return to work after the holidays, praising God for the gift of his Son and rejoicing in a merry Christmas? Real worship changes all of our life.
Scripture to Claim:
O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95: 6
