Are we giving the gift that he gave

·         Why do we celebrate Christmas? I ask myself this question each year. I get sick of the selfishness. The pressure to buy. The time that is supposed to be full of love is full of people that are unfriendly, too busy, stressed, in debt, etc…

·         We attempt to find the true meaning of Christmas and sometimes we simply decide to strike. To give up on the whole idea. We see that the true meaning of Christmas is lost and we search and find that many of the facts and traditions are against Christmas. So why are we celebrating Christmas?

Should we celebrate the Christmas Holiday ?

Rom 14:5-8

5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (Not to the pressure of parents, friends etc…)

Gal 4:9-10

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?  10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.   (KJV)

·         He did leave us the Baptism, and Communion, but these are not days!

HOLY days = NONE                        HAPPY DAYS= 365 (Heaven is a happy place!)

What do they celebrate in Heaven?

Luke 15:4-10

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Luke 15:32  It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Rev. 19:7-9 The marriage supper of the Lamb!

Should we celebrate Christmas? YES and NO!

·         Festival of Christ YES, This Holy Day, NO!

·         God gave us the Gift of his son so that we would continue to give it. Why did he give us his son? To show us his love.

Who' Birthday is it supposed to be?

2 Cor 8:1-5

1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the and then to us in keeping with God's will.

·         To him and then to others.

What are we giving for Christmas this year?

·         I'm giving a Tie, a ring, a toy, a scarf, I don't know what to give. Maybe a kitchen machine for Ulli? Make her life easier. I don't have any money! I am not giving anything! I don't have anyone to give to..

What can you possibly give that will last, that will not break, that will show how much you really love someone? JESUS! You can give the same gift that God gave to us. The first Christmas was God searching Heaven and finding the best that he had. Christ.

He gave his son!

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 4:10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

I Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

You can only give what you have. Have you received the Gift?

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

I Jn 3:16

16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (NKJ)

1 Pet 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

(NIV)

If you love them then give them life!

But what if they laugh at me? Reject me? Fight me? ME? The gift is not for you, it is for them!

No gift says I LOVE YOU but Christ! If you love them you will not let them go to Hell.

Tell them about Jesus! If you can't tell them personally, Write it in a letter. Give a preaching cassette. Give a book! Say it on a Tape. Give the gift of Life this year. What about other Christians? The Gift of the Holy Spirit? The gifts of the spirit?