We Wish You a Merry Christmas – Celebrating Christmas without Going Bankrupt
Message Outline – 3 December 2006
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.
Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7 [1].14
Gifts and Christmas GO TOGETHER.
Ahaz and God’s promise of a gift.
Isaiah 7 [2].1-14
God’s gift is Jesus, not Christmas.
WHAT GOD’S GIFT TEACHES US.
1. The joy of gifts is in the GIVING,
not the GETTING.
'It is more Acts 20 [3].35
2. God gives gifts to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
“…the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
Mary, Jesus’ mother. Luke 1 [4].49
Christmas isn’t primarily a celebration for ourselves, but a chance to make other people’s lives better.
‘Making a difference’ isn’t the same as ‘impressing.’
3. Give YOURSELF, not a THING.
“…and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, "God is with us." Matthew 1 [5].23
PROBLEMS WITH GIVING GIFTS OUR WAY.
If you are spending too much money on Christmas, then STOP IT!
Three MYTHS about gift giving –
1. A good gift costs MONEY.
2. Spending money on someone counts as GIVING YOURSELF.
3. The people CLOSEST to me are the ones I should give the most to.
A question to ask yourself:
“Am I giving from my heart to make a difference in the lives of others?”
God’s ideas about gifts only work where God’s ideas are PRACTICED.
Culture changes slowly. Be patient.
Do not be Romans 12 [6].2