Three Reasons Why We Shouldn't Take Xmas Lightly. Christmas eve service 2000

Three Reasons Why We Shouldn’t Take Christmas Lightly

Invisible Man - quotes

Robert Lynd

There are some people who want to throw their arms around you simply because it’s Christmas, there are other people who want to strangle you simply because it’s Christmas.

3 reasons why shouldn’t take Christmas lightly

1.    Jesus don’t stop till he’s top.

Guy Herod

Ranfurly Shield

Realised Jesus was a threat to his control

Manger = wonderful threat

2.    Jesus prises away disguises

8 days after born - Simeon

This person is the hinge around which every person’s destiny will swing.

Everyone’s eternity depends on how react to this one person.

Not to nice image of a baby in a manger

To the child who grew up into a man who said some totally out there things

C.S. Lewis: You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as [being evil], or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

Simeon at that first Christmas said ‘thoughts of many hearts will be revealed”

Prises away our disguises.

What does God see as He looks on your heart this Christmas - how do you respond to this person

More than baby in a manger - risen Lord Jesus.

3.    Dares us to share

Policewomen - boy with brain tumours - presents.

“This is the best Christmas ever”

Sharing with God

Mary - 14 years old - God who created Neptune, and the Milky way

“Come and be involved in something that will change this world forever”

Simeon - pain but I reckon she could say at the end of life

“It was worth it”