Preparations
How the (blank) stole Christmas • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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How the Preparations Stole Christmas
Communion:
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
There was no place for them
The Cobbler and His Guest: A cobbler dreamed that Jesus would visit him on Christmas Day. He prepared his shop and waited eagerly, but only encountered people in need—a beggar, a hungry child, and a cold old woman. He helped each one, but felt disappointed. Later, he understood that in serving them, he had indeed welcomed Christ. This story reminds us to see Christ in those around us and to serve others as a way to honor Him.
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
1. Will your home be more prepared for Christmas than your heart?
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2. Consider what you need to "declutter" within your heart.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
3. Don’t overcrowd your Christmas season; intentionally make room for Him instead.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
