Christ in Christmas

John 1:10–12 KJV 1900

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:11 KJV 1900

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to his own and his own received him not...

How tragic this statement is...

His Creation -

His created

His creature’s - rejected him...

His Chosen people

His Nation - Israel

His very household - received him not

His Temple

His Teaching

His teachers… received him not....

Christmas - the celebration of His coming to earth - but the celebration is not about him - for the most part....

The world celebrates a birthday party that represents the Savior, but doesn’t pay tribute to the baby / the person of honor...

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2731 Baby’s Birthday without Baby

2731 Baby’s Birthday Without Baby

The story is told of two women who were enjoying an elaborate luncheon in a downtown restaurant. When asked the occasion for the luncheon, one said, “We are celebrating the baby’s birthday.”

“But where is the baby?” said the inquirer, for there was no child to be seen.

“Oh,” said the mother, “you didn’t think I’d bring him. Did you? Why he doesn’t know anything about it.”

Many of us celebrate the Birthday of our Saviour and forget to invite Him! In our rush of observing Christmas with giving, eating, etc., do we really stop to meditate upon the Christ Child who should be the center of it all?

—Pulpit Helps

The very term Christmas is one that Christ is first in.... yet is celebrated least, or not at all....

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2731 Baby’s Birthday without Baby

2731 Baby’s Birthday Without Baby

The story is told of two women who were enjoying an elaborate luncheon in a downtown restaurant. When asked the occasion for the luncheon, one said, “We are celebrating the baby’s birthday.”

“But where is the baby?” said the inquirer, for there was no child to be seen.

“Oh,” said the mother, “you didn’t think I’d bring him. Did you? Why he doesn’t know anything about it.”

Many of us celebrate the Birthday of our Saviour and forget to invite Him! In our rush of observing Christmas with giving, eating, etc., do we really stop to meditate upon the Christ Child who should be the center of it all?

—Pulpit Helps

This is how the world celebrates Christmas - Celebrating the baby’s birthday.... but not bringing the baby...

Christ in Christmas

Do not allow Christmas to become a paradox in your home -

He came unto his own, and his own received him not....

I can understand why a lost and dying world that is in darkness could miss out on the Christ of Christmas - but do not allow that to be the case of those who are “his own”

1. Put Christ First in Christmas

focus on the Savior....

Don’t disregard your devotions on Christmas

read your bible

pray

meditate on the Lord himself and all that his coming represents to you.

2. Tell others about the Christ of Christmas

share the good news

Jesus came

Jesus was born

Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected for us...

Give a gospel tract

Give a word of testimony

Give a good word for the Savior during the Christmas Season

3. Emphasize Christ in your home at Christmas

Read the Christmas account -

We have read the Christmas story after Breakfast and before gifts every Christmas since I was saved - 35 years now - But the Christmas story and a time of prayer thanking God for loving us so much that He sent us His Son...

b. Give a gift to Christ for Christmas

Matthew 25:44–46 KJV 1900

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

As a gift for Christ - give a gift to someone anonymously - someone who is in need

Have your children shop for someone their age and have them wrap them up and as a family anonymously give to someone else whose Christmas could be brightened

4. Don’t Allow Gifts and Presents to become the focus in your family

He came unto his own....and his own received him not..

Receive Him...

Salvation....

Savior...

Sanctification....

Service....

Life is about Him...