Don’t Miss Christmas!

Luke 2:1–20 NKJV

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Don’t miss Christmas! 

Yes, it is possible to go through the holiday season and totally miss Christmas. 

It seems that few realize the true meaning anymore. 

Christmas has become a controversial holiday. 

Manger scenes are often banned from public properties.

Christmas carols are considered offensive.

Businesses are dropping religious references about Christmas from their advertisement. 

Yes, it is possible to completely miss Christmas!

There is No Christmas without the Christ of Christmas

Unfortunately Christmas has become little more than a secular holiday. 

For most, Christmas is a time of buying and selling. 

It is a time where budgets are stretched to impress people they do not even like. 

Parents are under pressure to make sure their kids do not feel short-changed.

Shopping malls are filled with people who are struggling to find the perfect gift for people who have everything. 

“Santa Claus sits on his throne as children make their wishes known to the one who knows if they’ve been bad or good throughout the year. 

Christmas trees with lights and tinsel go up in every house. 

Christmas decorations light the neighborhood at night. 

Christmas parties and family gatherings are the attractions of the season. 

Christmas parades fill the streets and Christmas programs are part of the tradition. 

“Jingle Bells” fills the airwaves as people dream of a white Christmas.

It seems everyone is ready for Christmas.  How could they miss it?

We will never find Christmas in a shopping mall. 

We will never find Christmas under a Christmas tree. 

We will never find Christmas wrapped in a box. 

Christmas is not found in tinsel and bows. 

It is not found in lights and holiday décor. 

We will not find Christmas at a party or family gathering. 

Christmas is not found in a parade or in a program. 

It is not found in holiday music or even in a snow covered lawn. 

Yes, it is possible to have everything that looks like Christmas and still miss Christmas!

What is Christmas? 

Christmas is an encounter with the Savior, Christ the Lord.

Christmas only comes to those who make room for Jesus in their heart. 

The first Christmas did not come in a shopping mall.  There was no Christmas tree, tinsel, or lights.  There were no nicely wrapped boxes with bows. There were no parades filling the streets. Santa and his reindeer were not there to deliver the greatest gift known to man.

The gift of a Savior came on a silent night wrapped in swaddling clothes.

In a simple surrounding, shepherds came and experienced the real meaning of Christmas. There in front of a feed trough, they bowed and worshiped their Savior. For them, Christmas was an encounter with Jesus Christ.

Without Christ, there can be no Christmas.

Make Room in Your Heart for the Christ of Christmas

Jesus is Still the Reason for the Season

Response to the Word

Don’t miss Christmas!

Meet the Christ of Christmas.

Receive Him as Your Savior and Lord.

That is why our Savior was born!