December 10, 2006
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“Why aren’t all the lights twinkling?”

 

Christmas Survival Kit :


Tylenol: to take away the headache of overdoing

Tea: to calm, relax, and soothe away the tension

Peppermints: to settle the tummy from overindulging

Slimfast: to kick off the diet you will need to start

Pocket date book: to track all of the must do's

Cassette tape or CD: soothing quiet music to listen to while wrapping gifts

Tape: to use to wrap the gifts

Bath oil or bubble bath: to soothe the weary body

Picture of Chevy Chase

it is a scientific fact that shopping is more stressful on men than it is on women. According to a report in “The Oregonian,” British psychologist David Lewis found proof that shopping is hazardous to men’s health. Testing volunteer’s ages 22-79 by sending them out Christmas shopping, he recorded blood pressure rates that “you’d expect to see in a fighter pilot going into combat.” In the same test, only one in four women showed any significant signs of stress from shopping.

Luke 2:8-15.  8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."  15When 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" (NIV)

 

Good news/ good tidings (KJV) = good proclamations = let me shout it from the roof-top

 

Great: The Greek word megas (as in the biggest, highest, loudest, of highest rank)

 

On earth peace:

 

peace; completeness.  The state of being at ease is experienced both externally and internally.

 

The Three kings:

Matthew 2:10.  10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (KJV)

 

Exceeding: excessive (as in more than you know what to do with), very, very, very much (as

in there are no words to explain so you say very, very a bunch of times)

 

great: mega again

 

The Shephards:

Luke 2:10.  "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

 

There is no joy that is greater

Christmas is supposed to be a time of good news, great joy, and peace!

 

Good news that our savior was born

 

Great joy that our sins are forgiven through Him

 

Inner peace that comes with knowing the Son of God came to the Earth for us, died and rose again for us, and lives in us…we have peace knowing where we are going when we die.  We have peace because He is in us.

 

Is that what it is for you?  Or is it something else?

 

Three  cures for stress during Christmas:

 

1. Bury the shopping carts

 

Getting giving buying, buying, buying, shopping

How many hours in December do you spend in a store or online buying gifts…

….also food buying and preparing. 

“There is so much out there, I don’t know if I can get it all.”

“I want so much, how do I choose.”

 

We can get lost, especially this time of the year, in all the stuff…

…How do we fight the stuff monster?

 

Christmas never has been and never will be about stuff.

 

Luke 2:11.  11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

 

No matter what Happens, don’t forget the real meaning of Christmas.

Don’t let the world overwhelm you with its version of what Christmas is about

 

If we realize it is not about commercialism, we don’t try so hard/ that does not become a priority. 

 

Our perspective needs to change.

 

Remind yourself of the true meaning of Christmas.  Remind your kids. 

 

Our emphasis needs to change: It is a time of celebration! Celebrate the true meaning!

 

How would you celebrate Christmas differently if you focused on the Jesus and His birth?

 

2. Burn the invitations

 

What are some things people expect of you this Christmas?

 

-         buy others stuff

-         what the kids want under the tree

-         even having a tree

-         go to all the family, work, school, friend functions. 

-         House must be decorated…especially the lights

 

The Holidays often run us ragged, control our lives

 

Instead of trying to meet everyone’s expectations, here is another option:

 

Ask Jesus what He wants you to do (especially during the holidays)

 

Matthew 2:11.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

 

Even as a child, these great men of society bowed down

 

They surrendered there lives to his Lordship

 

Romans 10:9.  That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

What does it mean to bow down to Jesus this Christmas and make Him Lord?

 

A Lord is someone who has power and authority over you.

 

When someone is in authority over you, you do not do anything without His permission.

 

How many things are you doing this Christmas without His permission?

 

Do what God tells you to do this Christmas and don’t worry about what does not get done or who is not happy.

 

-         the world is not Lord of your life

-         your kids are not Lord of your life

-         your family is not Lord of your life

-         not even the church is Lord of your life

 

 

3. Build a rocking chair

 

Spend time with Jesus

 

Luke 10:38-42.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"  "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

 

True joy and peace can only come when we spend time with the One who gives True joy and peace.

 

James 4:8.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Philippians 4:6-7.  6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:13.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.