Scripture for Sunday, Dec 26th: Luke 2:15-20

Sermon Title: Christmas Gifts That Won't Break - The Gift of Love

"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it ware amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

There is a story that Dr. Ann Shorb tells about three sons who wanted to give their mother gifts for her 70th birthday. One son decided to give her a ring and the other a new car. The youngest son thought about how much she liked to read the Bible, so he bought her a parrot that could quote the entire Bible. It took 12 years for the parrot to be trained and it cost him more than what the other brothers spent on their gifts.

The mother received the gifts on her birthday via delivery and she quickly sent thank you notes to each of her sons. To the first son she wrote, "Son, thank you for the ring. It's beyond anything I have ever imagined." To the second son she wrote, "Thank you for the car. I couldn't imagine having that wonderful of a vehicle ever in my life." To the youngest son she wrote, "Thank you for the chicken. It was delicious."

Christmas can be like that for many people. Christmas comes with its gifts, songs, activities and food, and people can miss the most important message that Christmas is intended to deliver - that God loves us. We know this without a doubt because He sent His Son to take the form of a mere infant so that the infant could one day grow up and die as a sacrifice for our sins. God the Father spared nothing so that we could have a relationship with Him. I hope that you will not miss this message - it truly is what Christmas conveys to the world - that God loves us. And there is no greater message that we could ever hear or receive. This coming Sunday we will talk more about that message of God's love, and how it should impact the way we treat others. I hope to see you then!

Scripture for Sunday, Dec. 19th: Luke 2:8-14

Sermon Title: Christmas Gifts That Won't Break - The Gift of Peace

"An there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.'"

Writer Julia Bettencourt makes this observation concerning the passage: "The first time I ever heard a choir sing Handel's Messiah in a live concert, it just amazed me. I was a senior in high school and the music just blew me away. I remember that, and the many performances of Handel's Messiah over the years, and then think if that is so amazing to hear, I wonder how a whole multitude of angels praising God could sound. When we think about those shepherds on the hillside in the Christmas story, we think about how the glory of God shown down on them, and the first angel appeared, and they were afraid, but what about what those shepherds heard that night? Wow! It must have been mind boggling to hear all of those angels praising God."

What are we hearing this Advent season? The noises of people demanding our time and attention, the worries in our hearts and minds or the constant tones of movement as we rush from place to place? I believe God wants us the hear from Him, and to receive the peace that comes from His presence, during this busy season. I encourage you to make time for Him today, to include Him in your activities, and truly remember that He is the Real Reason for the season. Include God in your life today and receive His peace as you do so.

I will speak more about this gift of peace that God gives to us as we celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent this coming Sunday morning. I hope to see you then!

Scripture for Sunday, Dec. 12th: Matthew 1:21-25

Sermon Title - Christmas Gifts That Won't Break: The Gift of Joy

"'She will bear a son and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 'Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel' which means, 'God is with us.' When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son and he named Him Jesus."

I am struck by the fact that this passage says Joseph "did as the angel of the Lord commanded" (v. 24). He could have allowed fear to overwhelm him and then fail to take any action. Or he might have doubted the angel and decide to do what he had thought to be a better course of action. Or he could have simply willfully disobeyed. But instead he did exactly what the angel of the Lord told him to do. And because of his obedience, he was allowed to play a critical role in the birth of the Son of God and has been part of the greatest story that has ever been told ever since. Thus, the rewards for his obedience were so much greater than he could have ever imagined.

What about us? Do we excuse our disobedience to what God has called us to do and be because of our own fears, doubts or desires? Are we willfully disobeying God in our thoughts, actions and attitudes? May we decide during this Christmas season that the best gift we can give God and others in our lives is to obey God. May we follow the example of Joseph and live our lives as God has commanded, and as we do, we will find the impact our obedience will have on our lives and the lives of others is so much greater than we could ever imagine.

This coming Sunday I will be speaking on one of God's unbreakable gifts that He provides through His Son Jesus Christ: the Gift of Joy. This gift is based on new life, God's promises and faith that produces obedience. Hope to see you on Sunday!