New Page 1

“CHRISTmas”

What does it spell?

“Quality of Life Series”

12/15/05

LEADER: CHRISTmas…What does it spell?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas Love” by Candy Chand

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon3/christmas_love.htm

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations -- extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in 10 minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas", I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment -- songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love", I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row -- center stage -- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas", a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy", and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love".
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her -- a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -- totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood -- the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: CHRIST WAS LOVE. And, I believe, He still is.

LEADER: CHRISTmas spells “love”.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Check It Twice” By Bob Perks

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon7/check_it_twice.htm

She had been waiting for this moment for weeks now. All the other kids in her class had already told Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Her mom had been urging her to make her list to give to Santa, but she just couldn't make up her mind. "Why is it so difficult for you to decide?" mom asked her. "I have so many things to do and I can't keep asking you for your list."
"I know what I want but I don't know how to write it," she replied.
"Your brother made his list up weeks ago. Of course he wants the entire toy store, but at least he has a list." "He's just a child mother!" she replied.
"Oh, and you're so mature at the age of nine?" "I'll be a teenager soon!" she replied. Although she had four years to get ready for it, that was something mom didn't want to think about these days. Time was always a precious thing to her. Even more so now that she lost her husband last year in a work related accident. Bills have been piling up and work difficult to find. On top of that, her own mother was seriously ill requiring her to visit her daily. The holidays are normally quite hectic, but this one was particularly difficult. Finally, one day while mom was visiting grandma, the young girl sat down to make her list. She neatly folded the paper and placed inside the special green and red envelope, sealed it and left it on the table for Santa. Just before bed time that day she told her mom that she did indeed make her Christmas wish list. Her and her brother would place their lists together on the kitchen table and "magically" the list would disappear by morning reaching Santa through what they called "North Pole air mail." Just before heading to bed herself, mom sat down to read her daughter's list. Quietly and carefully opening it, she unfolded the paper. It was blank. "This has never happened before," she thought.
But how could she even ask her daughter about it. This was a letter to Santa and parents never see those things. Lying in bed that night mom came up with the answer. They were planning on attending the church Christmas party the next night. Every year Santa would make a visit and give each child in attendance a small gift. Since Mom knew Santa personally, so she would ask him to make a point to speak to her daughter about the blank letter. The party was festive and filled with holiday goodies. Music and laughter filled the small church basement as Santa made his entrance. Mom stood by her children waiting eagerly for him to speak to her daughter. "Well, Jessica. How are you? I got your list this year but, I'm a bit confused. It was blank. I even checked it twice. Don't you want any presents this year?" Santa asked. Jessica motioned for Santa to come closer. "What I want this year you can't bring," she said. "Oh, but Santa has lots of things for good little girls and boys," the old gentleman assured her. "I don't want things," she said. "What I want only God can give me." It suddenly became very quiet in the room. "But you can help me, Santa," Jessica said. "Anything, Jessica," Santa said in his real voice and quite out of character. "Will you pray with me?" she asked. "Of course, what do you need?" "All I want this year is for my Mom to be happy and my grandma well," Jessica said. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Santa stood tall, clasped the hands of the little girl and began to pray. "Oh, Heavenly Father, God of all that is good, please hear my prayer. Jessica has requested a very special gift this year. One that only You can provide. I am just the provider of things of this world. Things that have no real value. But you Oh, God, are the Provider of life and the Giver of everlasting love. This young child, with wisdom far beyond her years, asks nothing for herself, but for her mom to be happy and her grandmother well. Please hear the prayer of this child and bless her for her generous spirit all the days of her life." And the people gathered there said "Amen!"
"Jessica," her mom said. "Look, it happened already! I've never been happier in my life." And so it will be for you, too, my friends. If you have made your list for Santa already, I urge you to "check it twice." For things bring only temporary happiness and God's Love eternal joy.

LEADER: CHRISTmas spells “Compassion”.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Gift Exchange – Trading Heaven for Earth”

By Dr. David Jeremiah EXCERPT

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1202_articles/12giftexch.html

Jim and Della were husband and wife and lived in a single rented room in New York City in the early 1900’s. They barely scraped by week to week on their meager incomes, but they made up in their love for one another everything they lacked in material goods. Just when it seemed things could hardly get worse, Jim’s salary was cut from $30 to $20 a week—with Christmas just days away.

On Christmas Eve the couple still had no gifts for one another. Della had long wanted to buy Jim a gold chain for his sole possession of value, a gold watch. The $1.87 she had saved was far short of being enough for such an extravagant gift, but suddenly she realized how she could fulfill her dream. She could sell the one thing of value she possessed, her long flowing hair, and probably get enough to buy the chain.

A woman who fashioned wigs and hairpieces for women gave Della $20 for her gorgeous locks. With the money she had saved, she now had enough to buy the $21 chain for Jim’s watch. She could hardly contain her excitement as she waited for Jim to come home from work on Christmas Eve. But she wondered how he would react to her short hair; he had always loved her long hair and knew how much it meant to her.

When Jim entered their room, he looked stunned—even more so than Della had expected. Hurriedly, she brought out her precious gift of the gold chain and gave it to Jim, explaining that she had sold her hair in order to buy his Christmas gift. Without unwrapping the present, Jim took from his pocket his own gift for Della. As she slowly unwrapped it, she discovered a set of beautiful combs for her hair. She and Jim had seen them in a shop window, but of course they had been too expensive to purchase. So how had Jim afforded such an extravagant gift?

When Jim unwrapped Della’s gift to him, she urged him to take out his gold watch and attach the chain. With Jim’s hesitation came the realization that he had sold his watch to get the money to buy the combs for Della. Each had given up their most valued possession at Christmas in order to bring joy and happiness to the one they loved.

LEADER: “The Gift Exchange – Trading Heaven for Earth” CONTINUED

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1202_articles/12giftexch.html

By Dr. David Jeremiah EXCERPT

Jim and Della both needed something they were unable to provide for themselves. They had no resources, no wealth, no means to secure their own provisions. In that sense, they were a perfect picture of the human race at the time of the first Christmas. We needed so many things—to be reconciled to the Father; to be forgiven of our sins; to be made holy; to be given purpose and meaning in life; to discover our eternal destiny—none of which we were able to provide for ourselves. The only way mankind could get what we so desperately needed was for another to provide it for us. And that is what Christmas is about. Jesus Christ gave up heaven in order to gain those He loved:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: II Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

LEADER: “The Gift Exchange – Trading Heaven for Earth” CONTINUED

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1202_articles/12giftexch.html

By Dr. David Jeremiah EXCERPT

Jim and Della’s gifts to one another were, humanly speaking, likewise indescribable. Sacrifice is always hard to fathom, hard to comprehend. And how much harder to comprehend is the sacrifice Christ made, the exchange He willingly submitted to, in order to give us the gift of Himself at that first Christmas.

Jim and Della’s lives would have gone on without their gifts of combs and a gold chain. And our lives will go on this Christmas even if we don’t receive a single gift. But think where we would be at this moment if Jesus Christ had not given us the indescribable gift of His presence among us. Some gifts we can live without, but His gift we would surely die without.

This Christmas, as you consider giving up what you own in order to bring joy and blessing to those you love, remember the greatest sacrificial exchange ever made. May Christ’s sacrifice become the model we follow as we love and serve one another—on Christmas Day and every day of the year.

LEADER: CHRISTmas spells “Sacrifice”.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “When You Care Enough To Give The Best”

“The Price of Choosing the Right Gift” EXCERPT

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1203_articles/12_care.html

When you first read that Joyce C. Hall was the founder of Hallmark Cards, Inc., it all fits—a woman founded a company known for its beautifully designed cards and special occasion gifts. It all fits, that is, until you discover that Joyce Hall was not a woman, but a man—a man who began his business career at the age of nine and became known for establishing “excellence” as the standard for everything he did.

Joyce Hall was born into poverty in David City, Nebraska, in 1891, but quickly rose above it. (He was named “Joyce” by his religious parents after a Methodist bishop named Isaac W. Joyce visited their hometown on the day Joyce Hall was born). He became the architect of an industry and the friend of presidents and prime ministers. But in spite of all his awards, he is best known for the Hallmark slogan, “When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best.”

From the days when he sold perfume in his neighborhood at the age of nine, until his death in 1982 at age 91, Joyce Hall made quality his trademark. In his autobiography, When You Care Enough, he wrote, “If a man goes into business with only the idea of making a lot of money, chances are he won’t. But if he puts service and quality first, the money will take care of itself.” When Hallmark became the sponsor for the famous Hallmark Hall of Fame television series (which won nearly 80 Emmys), many people dissuaded him from the venture, encouraging him to sponsor a popular show instead of one focused on the great works of literature. “I’d rather make eight million good impressions,” he responded, “than 28 million bad ones.” Until 1966, when “Mr. J.C.” stepped aside as chief executive of the company, not a single Hallmark greeting card reached the marketplace without his “O.K.—J.C.” sign-off.

Joyce Hall was a man committed to giving the very best to his customers so they could give the very best to their loved ones with a Hallmark card.

Lest you think this article is an advertisement for Hallmark cards (it’s not), let me say how much I am inspired by any person in life, in any field of human endeavor, who gives and does the very best he or she can. Doing or giving our best has, unfortunately, become a cliché that is often not taken seriously. But the reason we are even motivated to strive for “the best” is because of the image of God which we bear. We reflect an aspect of the personality of the One—the only one in history—who absolutely did give His very best.

Joyce Hall set a high standard for excellence with his line of greeting cards and other products. But if ever there was a perfect example for “caring enough to send the very best,” it was God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. God loved enough to send the very best to those who could only be saved by a perfect Savior.

LEADER: CHRISTmas spells “Giving our best”.

LEADER: “The Price of Choosing the Right Gift” By Dr. David Jeremiahtthew 22:37) and . . . mind” (

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1203_articles/12_care.html EXCERPTS

John 3:16 tells us of the time when God gave His very best:

Let’s recite it together:

et'ng our best"“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.”

There are several reasons why the gift of Jesus Christ to the world represents the very best—and reflects what a high price God paid to give it to us.

God Himself is the best. It only stands to reason that the excellence of a gift in some ways reflects the excellence of the giver. And in God’s case, perfection begat perfection when He gave Jesus Christ. In Psalm 18:30, ecite it together:

King David said, “As for God, His way is perfect”. If His way is perfect, His being must be perfect as well, for perfection cannot arise out of imperfection. Jesus Himself said, “. . . your Father in heaven is perfect” Matthew 5:48.

God gave for the best reason. Before the gift of Jesus was ever given, the motivation which prompted the gift was the highest possible—pure love.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: I John 4:16

God is love.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: I Corinthians 13:13

¹³But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is ^(A)love.

LEADER: “The Price of Choosing the Right Gift” Dr. David Jeremiah CONT: tthew 22:37) and . . . mind” (

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1203_articles/12_care.html EXCERPTS

When God gave the gift of His Son to the world, it was because He “so loved” the world. The perfection of His gift reflects the perfection of His love.

At this time of the year our thoughts are turned toward gifts. We honor God faithfully, and His Gift to us, through special times of worship, and especially in our gift-giving to one another. But there is a special gift which should appear at the top of every Christian’s gift list every year at this time, but which I fear all too often is missing. The most important gift we have to give every year is the gift we give back to God Himself—the gift of all that we are and have.

I’m not talking about giving a “thing,” like we give to one another at Christmas. There is nothing material in this world that God needs or wants from us. Rather, I’m talking about something more fundamental, something more long-lasting, and something more valuable. Jesus described it as our “heart . . . soul, and . . . mind” in Matthew 22:37. Giving ourselves to God can mirror His gift to us:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “We Can” #1 EXCERPT

“The Price of Choosing the Right Gift” Dr. David Jeremiah CONT: tthew 22:37) and . . . mind” (

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1203_articles/12_care.html

WE CAN be the best in Christ. We are not perfect like God, but as we obey the admonition in Matthew 5:48 to “be perfect”, we present to God a heart striving to be holy in honor of Him

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “We Can” #2 EXCERPT

“The Price of Choosing the Right Gift” Dr. David Jeremiah CONT: tthew 22:37) and . . . mind” (

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1203_articles/12_care.html

WE CAN give ourselves for the best reason. In John 15:13 Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life . . .” . If we would love our friends enough to lay down our lives for them, surely we should love God as much.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “We Can” #3 EXCERPT

“The Price of Choosing the Right Gift” Dr. David Jeremiah CONT: tthew 22:37) and . . . mind” (

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1203_articles/12_care.html

WE CAN give the best gift. In thanks for God’s “indescribable gift” II Corinthians 9:15; to us, we can “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” Romans 12:1. We only have one life. Giving it to God makes it our best gift.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “We Can” #4 EXCERPT

“The Price of Choosing the Right Gift” Dr. David Jeremiah CONT: tthew 22:37) and . . . mind” (

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1203_articles/12_care.html

We can give for the best purpose. When we give ourselves wholly to God, we make known the riches of His grace and glory to the world, (Romans 9:23 -²³And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory) ,proclaiming Christ’s death until He comes; (I Corinthians 11:26 - ²⁶For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.).

LEADER: “The Price of Choosing the Right Gift” Dr. David Jeremiah CONT: tthew 22:37) and . . . mind” (

http://www.turningpointradio.org/archive/1203_articles/12_care.html EXCERPTS

Reserve your best gift for the One who gave His best gift to you? As we approach the beginning of a new year, let your chief resolution for 2006 be to give yourself—heart, soul, mind, and strength—to God every day. Make Christmas a year-long event as you unwrap yourself in the presence of God each day. In doing so, you’ll show that you have cared enough to send Him the very best.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Keeping Christmas” Our Daily Bread 12/25/94

http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/odb/odb-12-25-94.shtml

One of the most respected TV journalists of our time was Harry Reasoner. In 1971 he gave a Christmas commentary that bears repeating. Here, in part, is what he said:

"Christmas is such a unique idea that most non-Christians accept it, and I think sometimes envy it. If Christmas is the anniversary of the appearance of the Lord of the Universe in the form of a helpless baby, it's quite a day. It's a startling idea, and the theologians, who sometimes love logic more than they love God, find it uncomfortable. . . . It is either all falsehood or it is the truest thing in the world. It is the story of the great innocence of God, the baby, God in the power of man. And it is such a dramatic shot toward the heart that if it is not true, for Christians nothing is true. So even if you have not got your shopping all done and you are swamped with the commercialism and the frenzy, be at peace. . . . The story stands."

Contemplate again the miracle of Christmas: God came down to earth as a baby to become our Savior. Focus on that message today and every day. It will help to slow you down and keep the right perspective on Christmas. --JDB

We need someone to worship,
We need a song to sing;
Let's keep our Christ in Christmas
And honor Him as King. --Jarvis

It's possible to keep Christmas
and yet lose Christ.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Keeping Christ in Christmas” By Dr. David Jeremiah

Christmas should be about worshiping the Christ Child—making room for Him in your heart and mind. Accepting God’s gifts—Jesus Christ, forgiveness, eternal life. Developing a personal, dynamic relationship with the Christ of Christmas. Discovering what you can give—not get—this Christmas. Looking to the example of Jesus who lovingly used His energy and efforts to give to others, spending His time pouring out the love of His Father on everyone He encountered. Activity can’t be avoided but be active for the Lord. And bring everything you do under His Lordship. You will find the real joy and peace of Christmas as you keep Christ in Christmas

LEADER: CHRISTmas spells “Worship”.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “A Bible Under Every Tree” By LaRose Karr

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon3/bible_under_every_christmas_tree.htm

This year my daughter decorated our house for Christmas. She painstakingly moved pictures and knick-knacks around to make room for decorations. As is our custom, she took items off the shelves and piano to be boxed away to make room for the seasonal ornaments.
In the process of rearranging, she left a pile of picture frames and photos underneath the tree. Along with these frames, rested a bookrack and our large family Bible. The bookrack was a gift from my friend Clara. Her mother passed away twenty years ago and the rack had belonged to her. Clara wanted me to have this keepsake and it has held an honored place in our living room for many years.
My aunt, mother's older sister, gave the large Bible to us. We have family records written in the front but because the book is so large, we do not use it for study. So, while the household was being reorganized for Christmas, the large Bible was underneath the tree.
I envision a family Bible, opened to the Christmas story, resting upon an heirloom stand underneath each and every Christmas tree. It's a nice little dream. If every household in my city that observes Christmas would read the story behind it, how enriched their lives would be.
If every household in my state that observes Christmas would only take time to talk about the story in the book beneath the tree, oh how blessed their hearts could be.
If every household in my nation that observes Christmas could take time to reflect upon the words in the book, how changed our nation could be.
If every household throughout the world that observes Christmas remembered the life story portrayed in the book that rests underneath the branches of their tree; how grateful this world would be!
You see, the baby with the name Jesus, a common name for boys of his time, born in a stable, with stinky animals and smelly hay, was the most uncommon life story that any of us will ever hear, read or tell about.
When friends desert you, family lets you down or life rips you apart, there is one name that is already exalted above all names.
He was an uncommon baby, born in common times, a youth that knew devotion to the holy God. He was a sinless man among wicked people, and in death transcended to the heavens before the believing eyes of men who wrote their accounts in one accord.
If only every household throughout my city, state, nation, and even the world would rest an open Bible beneath their trees, we'd soon understand that while the world is in turmoil, we hold the hand of the Prince of Peace. Soon, the households without the Christmas trees would hear and know that the season we hold dear is not about trees, wrapping paper or spending money. It's about spending time with Him because he first spent time with us.

LEADER: CHRISTmas spells “The Word became flesh.”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

LEADER: “God’s Christmas Tree” #1 By J. Hampton Keathley, III

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=633 EXCERPTS

Let’s look at the birth of Christ from the viewpoint of God's Christmas tree--the Cross. And we will open some of the presents that lie at the foot of that tree to remind us of the gifts God has given to us in Christ and that He offers the world that lies in darkness and sin.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “God’s Christmas Tree” #2

By J. Hampton Keathley, III

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=633 EXCERPTS

The Greek word, Xulon-- This word is used of both a tree and of the cross. The point is that one of the words used in the New Testament for the cross is a word that also means "tree," "wood," or "a piece of wood" and hence, anything made of wood.

LEADER: Xulan meaning “cross”:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Acts 5:30

³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a (xulan) cross.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Galatians 3:13

¹³Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A (xulan) TREE"—

HAVE SOMEONE READ: I Peter 2:14

²⁴and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the(xulan) cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

LEADER: Xulan meaning “tree”:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Luke 23:31

³¹"For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

LEADER: Xulan meaning “tree of life”:

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Luke 23:31

For if men do these things when the(xulan) tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?

LEADER: “God’s Christmas Tree” #3 By J. Hampton Keathley, III

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=633 EXCERPTS

But the tree symbolism does not end here. In the Old Testament, Messiah is viewed prophetically in terms that relate to a tree.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Isaiah 11:1

¹Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,
And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Jeremiah 23:5-6

⁵"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD,
         "When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch;
         And He will reign as king and act wisely
         And do justice and righteousness in the land.
    ⁶"In His days Judah will be saved,
         And Israel will dwell securely;
         And this is His name by which He will be called,
         'The LORD our righteousness.'

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Zechariah 6:12

¹²"Then say to him, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD.

LEADER: “God’s Christmas Tree” #4 By J. Hampton Keathley, III

http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=633 EXCERPTS

From these passages in both the Old and New Testaments, we see that God has His own Christmas tree in the person of His Son and in His Son's work or death on a tree, the cross. But note, God's tree is not decorated with lights and ornaments or tinsel, nor surrounded underneath with gifts or presents filled with perishable items purchased from our vain manner of life. Rather, under God's tree are imperishable gifts of infinite value which were purchased by the death of God's Son on God's tree, the Cross.

LEADER: CHRISTmas spells “Free gift of salvation”.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christmas Giving” By Walter E. Isenhour

http://www.bible.com/bibleanswers_result.php?id=168#Christmas%20Giving

As you think of giving presents
To your friends on Christmas Day,
Don’t forget the poor and needy
That you meet along life’s way.
Give them something that is helpful,
That will tell them of your love,
For such giving pleases Jesus
As He watches from above.

If you cannot give abundance,
Give a little in His name;
For a little given rightly,
With His blessings on the same,
May be bread upon the waters
You will find again sometime
Multiplied to loaves of blessing
That are wondrous and sublime.

Give and help to spread the Gospel
On the mission fields of Earth
Where the natives by the millions
Have not heard of Jesus’ birth.
Give to causes that are worthy
Of your money with a prayer;
Give and help to share the burdens
That so many people bear.

Let the Christmas thought of giving
Go with you throughout the year,
Then your life will be a blessing
And you’ll have the thrill of cheer;
For in making others happy,
You will get a great supply,
As our Lord who reigns in heaven
Will then bless you from on high.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The Greatest Gift” by Mercy Aiken EXCERPT

http://www.bible.com/answers/achristm.html#Origin%20of%20Christmas%20Customs

When I really stop and think about this, it truly amazes me--that God--the sum of ALL good things, who holds ALL power and authority, would humble Himself in this way. He didn't make himself entirely independent of His creation, or set Himself up as a mere casual observer of humankind, though He certainly had the power to do so. Instead, He allowed Himself to love us to the point where our returned love would be a blessing to Him. Each one of us, little and insignificant as we are, has been given the profound gift of the ability to bring joy to the heart of God. It is extremely humbling to me, when I stop and consider that God has thus set the laws of His creation into motion. That the One who is Love personified, would actually be blessed by the love that I could offer Him. This is the greatest gift of all, and it is given to every human being who has ever lived or will live--the ability to give of ourselves to God and to each other. Without this gift, life would be very empty indeed.

LEADER: Perhaps you have some family traditions that spell CHRISTmas in your family.

(If time let them offer their traditions.)

LEADER: Sandi has some suggestions…

· Her family tradition…the youngest child or grandchild in the family, who can read, reads the Christmas Story from the Bible before presents are open…then a prayer of thankfulness…then her brother, Mark, dons a Santa hat and distributes gifts.

· And when they gathered at her grandmother’s… Pens and paper were distributed…Each person wrote what they would like to give Jesus for his birthday this year. No signature required. It is a gift of love between the giver and Christ. Then a stocking was passed around to put the gifts in. One child penned, “I will be nice to my sister this year.”

· Some families bake a birthday cake for Jesus and sing “Happy Birthday” to him.

· There are many ways to spell CHRISTmas when we spell it with Christ.

WE WILL NOT HAVE BIBLE STUDY NEXT WEEK CHRISTMAS WEEK

COMMENTS IF TIME

STOP AT 10 TILL FOR PRAYER REQUEST AND PRAISES

CUT AND DISTRIBUTE FOR READING:

“Christmas Love”

“Check It Twice”

She had been waiting for this moment for weeks now. All the other kids in her class had already told Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Her mom had been urging her to make her list to give to Santa, but she just couldn't make up her mind. "Why is it so difficult for you to decide?" mom asked her. "I have so many things to do and I can't keep asking you for your list." "I know what I want but I don't know how to write it," she replied. "Your brother made his list up weeks ago. Of course he wants the entire toy store, but at least he has a list." "He's just a child mother!" she replied. "Oh, and you're so mature at the age of nine?" "I'll be a teenager soon!" she replied. Although she had four years to get ready for it, that was something mom didn't want to think about these days. Time was always a precious thing to her. Even more so now that she lost her husband last year in a work related accident. Bills have been piling up and work difficult to find. On top of that, her own mother was seriously ill requiring her to visit her daily. The holidays are normally quite hectic, but this one was particularly difficult. Finally, one day while mom was visiting grandma, the young girl sat down to make her list. She neatly folded the paper and placed inside the special green and red envelope, sealed it and left it on the table for Santa. Just before bed time that day she told her mom that she did indeed make her Christmas wish list. Her and her brother would place their lists together on the kitchen table and "magically" the list would disappear by morning reaching Santa through what they called "North Pole air mail." Just before heading to bed herself, mom sat down to read her daughter's list. Quietly and carefully opening it, she unfolded the paper. It was blank. "This has never happened before," she thought. But how could she even ask her daughter about it. This was a letter to Santa and parents never see those things. Lying in bed that night mom came up with the answer. They were planning on attending the church Christmas party the next night. Every year Santa would make a visit and give each child in attendance a small gift. Since Mom knew Santa personally, so she would ask him to make a point to speak to her daughter about the blank letter. The party was festive and filled with holiday goodies. Music and laughter filled the small church basement as Santa made his entrance. Mom stood by her children waiting eagerly for him to speak to her daughter. "Well, Jessica. How are you? I got your list this year but, I'm a bit confused. It was blank. I even checked it twice. Don't you want any presents this year?" Santa asked. Jessica motioned for Santa to come closer. "What I want this year you can't bring," she said. "Oh, but Santa has lots of things for good little girls and boys," the old gentleman assured her. "I don't want things," she said. "What I want only God can give me." It suddenly became very quiet in the room. "But you can help me, Santa," Jessica said. "Anything, Jessica," Santa said in his real voice and quite out of character. "Will you pray with me?" she asked. "Of course, what do you need?" "All I want this year is for my Mom to be happy and my grandma well," Jessica said. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Santa stood tall, clasped the hands of the little girl and began to pray. "Oh, Heavenly Father, God of all that is good, please hear my prayer. Jessica has requested a very special gift this year. One that only You can provide. I am just the provider of things of this world. Things that have no real value. But you Oh, God, are the Provider of life and the Giver of everlasting love. This young child, with wisdom far beyond her years, asks nothing for herself, but for her mom to be happy and her grandmother well. Please hear the prayer of this child and bless her for her generous spirit all the days of her life." And the people gathered there said "Amen!"
"Jessica," her mom said. "Look, it happened already! I've never been happier in my life." And so it will be for you, too, my friends. If you have made your list for Santa already, I urge you to "check it twice." For things bring only temporary happiness and God's Love eternal joy.

“The Gift Exchange – Trading Heaven for Earth”

II Corinthians 9:15

“When You Care Enough To Give The Best”

Joyce Hall was a man committed to giving the very best to his customers so they could give the very best to their loved ones with a Hallmark card.

I John 4:16

I Corinthians 13:13

“We Can” #1

WE CAN be the best in Christ. We are not perfect like God, but as we obey the admonition in Matthew 5:48 to “be perfect”, we present to God a heart striving to be holy in honor of Him

“We Can” #2

“We Can” #3

“We Can” #4

“Keeping Christmas”

One of the most respected TV journalists of our time was Harry Reasoner. In 1971 he gave a Christmas commentary that bears repeating. Here, in part, is what he said:

We need someone to worship,
We need a song to sing;
Let's keep our Christ in Christmas
And honor Him as King. --Jarvis

It's possible to keep Christmas
and yet lose Christ.

John 1:14

“Keeping Christ in Christmas”

“A Bible Under Every Tree”

This year my daughter decorated our house for Christmas. She painstakingly moved pictures and knick-knacks around to make room for decorations. As is our custom, she took items off the shelves and piano to be boxed away to make room for the seasonal ornaments. In the process of rearranging, she left a pile of picture frames and photos underneath the tree. Along with these frames, rested a bookrack and our large family Bible. The bookrack was a gift from my friend Clara. Her mother passed away twenty years ago and the rack had belonged to her. Clara wanted me to have this keepsake and it has held an honored place in our living room for many years.
My aunt, mother's older sister, gave the large Bible to us. We have family records written in the front but because the book is so large, we do not use it for study. So, while the household was being reorganized for Christmas, the large Bible was underneath the tree.
I envision a family Bible, opened to the Christmas story, resting upon an heirloom stand underneath each and every Christmas tree. It's a nice little dream. If every household in my city that observes Christmas would read the story behind it, how enriched their lives would be. If every household in my state that observes Christmas would only take time to talk about the story in the book beneath the tree, oh how blessed their hearts could be.
If every household in my nation that observes Christmas could take time to reflect upon the words in the book, how changed our nation could be. If every household throughout the world that observes Christmas remembered the life story portrayed in the book that rests underneath the branches of their tree; how grateful this world would be! You see, the baby with the name Jesus, a common name for boys of his time, born in a stable, with stinky animals and smelly hay, was the most uncommon life story that any of us will ever hear, read or tell about. When friends desert you, family lets you down or life rips you apart, there is one name that is already exalted above all names. He was an uncommon baby, born in common times, a youth that knew devotion to the holy God. He was a sinless man among wicked people, and in death transcended to the heavens before the believing eyes of men who wrote their accounts in one accord.
If only every household throughout my city, state, nation, and even the world would rest an open Bible beneath their trees, we'd soon understand that while the world is in turmoil, we hold the hand of the Prince of Peace. Soon, the households without the Christmas trees would hear and know that the season we hold dear is not about trees, wrapping paper or spending money. It's about spending time with Him because he first spent time with us.

“God’s Christmas Tree” #2

Acts 5:30

Galatians 3:13

I Peter 2:14

Luke 23:31

Isaiah 11:1

Jeremiah 23:5-6

Zechariah 6:12

Ephesians 2:8-9

“The Greatest Gift”

God is a giver, not a taker. Throughout Scripture, we find evidence of His great generosity towards His creation. From the beginning of time as we know it, when He called forth Creation--when He gave existence to things that had never before existed--we can see the true heart of God. He literally gave of Himself to make each one of us. "The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being" Genesis 2:7. The very nature of God is to give, to create, and to bless His creation. When I really stop and think about this, it truly amazes me--that God--the sum of ALL good things, who holds ALL power and authority, would humble Himself in this way. He didn't make himself entirely independent of His creation, or set Himself up as a mere casual observer of humankind, though He certainly had the power to do so. Instead, He allowed Himself to love us to the point where our returned love would be a blessing to Him. Each one of us, little and insignificant as we are, has been given the profound gift of the ability to bring joy to the heart of God. It is extremely humbling to me, when I stop and consider that God has thus set the laws of His creation into motion. That the One who is Love personified, would actually be blessed by the love that I could offer Him. This is the greatest gift of all, and it is given to every human being who has ever lived or will live--the ability to give of ourselves to God and to each other. Without this gift, life would be very empty indeed.

“Christmas Giving”

By Walter E. Isenhour