PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR CHRISTMAS

Erma Bombeck once wrote, “There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.” But what is even sadder than that is for us to awaken on Christmas morning and realize that it came and went, and we didn’t focus on why Christmas exists at all – did we really celebrate Christmas at all. The hustle and bustle of the holiday and gift buying, baking and cooking special treats and meals. If you’re like me there are deadlines of work and papers that must be submitted. Does God want a Christmas present? What He wants is His rightful place in our hearts if he is truly our Lord and Savior. If we lost track of that – what can we do to have a Christmas Heart – a heart focused on Christmas and the miracle that the birth of our Lord brings – that is what we will be talking about today.

Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Ezekiel 36:26 – And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Let us Pray!

Luke 2:15-20 – When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

1. A Christmas heart is an eager heart, Luke 2:15-16 – When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

Mary was eager to do God’s Work – Luke 1:38 – And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

The shepherds were eager to search for Christ – v16 – And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

Are you eager for God – do you go without haste to God

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Psalm 119:11 – I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

v17-18 – Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

Are we eager to His Word?

What is God saying to you this Christmas? He probably isn’t utilizing a legion of angels to light up the night sky and tell you to go to Jesus – but the message is still the same – Are you eager to seek time with Him? Quiet time where He is allowed to speak?

2. A Christmas Heart is a sharing heart, Luke 2:17-18 – And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Hebrews 13:16 – Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Romans 12:13 – Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

1 Timothy 6:18 – They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

Luke 3:11 – And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

1 John 3:17 – But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 11:24-25 – One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

What about sharing like the shepherd did?

1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 1:8 – Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 4:2 – Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Matthew 28:19 – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Philemon 1:6 – And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

Matthew 10:19-20 – When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

3. A Christmas Heart is a pondering heart, Luke 2:19 – But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Romans 12:1-2 – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Colossians 3:1-2 – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

1 Chronicles 22:19 – Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.”

4. A Christmas Heart is a giving heart – John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

(Discuss the difference between sharing and giving)

Proverbs 18:16 – A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Matthew 6:3-4 – But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Deuteronomy 16:17 – Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.

1 Chronicles 29:9 – Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

5. A Christmas heart is a heart at Rest – Luke 10:38-42 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Exodus 33:14 – And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Isaiah 8:17 – I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

Isaiah 30:15 – For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,

Isaiah 40:31 – But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the

Lord!

Lamentations 3:25 – The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

Mark 6:31 – And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Psalm 18:2 – The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

As we close today – what are we eager for? No School – maybe a ski trip or visiting family? Maybe the bills, work or cattle have you or are consuming your mind – How can you realign or even generate eagerness for Christmas – with haste to spend time with your Lord and Savior – King of Kings and Lord of lords.

Sharing and giving are a part of the Christmas season even for those non-believers. Many atheists celebrate (lower case c) “christmas" with giving gifts and sharing food time and resources – how are different – who can you share the real meaning of (upper case c) Christmas with?

What is on your mind this December? What consumes your thoughts and plans? How can you give God time and ponder His truth? Ponder His Word? Ponder His Blessings? How can we transform our minds to be focused on Him?

Tis the season of giving like mentioned before – are we just giving gifts and homemade baked goods or are we focused on giving to those who can't give back – those who may not have a “good” Christmas – we are collecting for Voice of the Martyrs and Samaritans Purse – are we a cheerful give like God loves – are we giving grudgingly because we might not afford a gift for someone else?

How busy are you – can you find time to rest? Rest in the arms of the Lord – can you find time to live out Psalm 18:2 - Psalm 18:2 – The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold? What are you willing to say NO to in order to say YES to resting with God Our Father?

As we leave – let us start preparing our hearts for Christmas.

Let Us Pray!

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