Christmas Reactions

What is your reaction to Christmas?

What does Christmas mean to you?

How does it affect you?

in the Bible we see bad and good reactions

Bad

Herod - sought to stop God’s plan, so self-absorbed and narcissistic that he missed a grand opportunity to be a part of the greatest story ever told

the people at the inn - God is right there in their faces. But since God did not do a grand gesture, they had no room for him . . . life is too full

Good

Zachariah - doubted at first, but in the end, Christmas caused him to be amazed at God’s faithfulness, and he testified that God always keeps his promises

Elizabeth - was wise enough to understand that it was an honor to be a part of God’s plan

she wasn’t doing God a favor, God was honoring her by using her

Mary - Christmas caused us to see her willingness to serve

God just upended her entire life and plans

How far will you go to serve God

Joseph - when he knew better, he did better

angels - gave glory to God in the highest, straight praise

shepherds - glorified and praised God, but they also testified about what they had both seen and heard, witnesses who didn’t keep the coming of the savior to themselves

wisemen - were not sleepwalking through life, they sought the truth, and when they found Him, they gave gifts and worshipped Him

These had good reactions, not even knowing or understanding the great sacrifice Jesus would make.

What is your reaction?

What is your reaction to that 1st Christmas?

especially since you know the whole story.

are you a believer, a disciple of the risen Christ?

that’s the most important reaction because if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then his birth would not be worth celebrating

What is your reaction to this Christmas in 2022?

glorifying, worshipping, testifying, willing to serve, encouraged that God keeps his promises, honored to be chosen, you know better and you are doing better?

or are you doubting? . . . this Jesus stuff

standing in the way of God’s plan? . . . you want to do your own thing

you have no room for Jesus? . . . your life is taken up with so many other things, but not the most important thing

my reaction -

taught at an early age that our help comes from the Lord

He is our source

we look to him to help

we pray to him

that was Biblical teaching

never understood why people would call on loved ones who had passed away to help them

granny, watch over me

momma, I could use a little help right now

or give credit to loved one for good things happening

when I got that $100, I knew my pappa was looking out for me

but after the passing of my mom and I dad, I finally understood it . . . still not correct, but I get it.

when you are in trouble, it’s natural to turn to those who you KNOW love you and care for me

and I found myself tempted to say, daddy help me, momma watch over me

Christmas reminds me of how much God loves and cares for us

John 3:16 - gave his Son!

we said last week, if he would give us Jesus, then everything else we need is available

daddy cared, but our heavenly Father cares more

momma loved, but our heavenly Father loves more

This Christmas reminds me that I and loved and cared for

Invitation

accept the gift of Christmas . . . it must be received through faith

Ephesians 2:8 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

salvation is a gift, but you must open it by faith

believe in Jesus, and what he did, decided to follow Him

I don’t imagine too many gifts being turned down . . . . so don’t turn down the greatest gift ever given

Advent season . . . month long time of celebrating his coming

Remember that he is coming again