Celebrating Christmas...Without Christmas

Last week, I hinted at this morning’s message when I made asked the question/made the statement, “Did you know that you can celebrate Christmas without Christmas?!?!?”

Just think…there was a time when there was no Christmas celebration in the way that we think of it

We’re going to be turning there in a moment but just think about the individuals that are listed in Hebrews chapter 11. How did they celebrate Christmas? I realize that some may answer that question by making the observation that Christ had not come to the earth yet. That may be true but...

The direction of their lives was established by love.

Faith fueled their lives day by day.

Their destination was determined by hope.

So, truly, in a very definite sense they celebrated Christmas without Christmas!

Turn to and read Hebrews 11:1-2.

The Definition of Faith

Faith is the substance of things hoped for.

Faith is the substance of our hope.

Noah Webster defines substance as...

Something real, not imaginary; something solid, not empty.

You’ll remember that Hope is that desire to experience some good and having reasonable expectation that we will receive it. Faith takes that which we have not yet experienced and makes it real.

John 14:2 KJV 1900

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

None of us have yet experienced eternal life in Heaven but faith makes it a reality to us right now as if we have already experienced it!

But it’s real, it’s real; Oh, I know it’s real; Praise God, the doubts are settled, For I know, I know it’s real!

Faith is the foundation of our hope.

The word, “substance,” literally means “a setting under” or “support.”

The foundation of our faith is not the Pope; it is not a church or a religion; it is not a government. Our faith in God and in God’s Word is the only foundation of our faith!

The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God; the B-I-B-L-E!

Faith is the evidence of things not seen.

Exploring Hebrews: An Expository Commentary 1. By Explanation (11:1)

Faith gives substance to the unseen realities. The believer hopes in these things and proves their reality in his personal experience by faith.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 11

Faith believes what it sees not;

Faith in the unseen, based on the revelation of God’s Word, is the evidence that gives the believer the assurance of the truth of it. It is a faith that is UNREASONABLE to the natural man.

Hebrews 11:30 KJV 1900

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

The faith of Joshua and the Israelites was evidence of things not seen. It was a faith in God’s Word. God had already promised the victory; it was assured! But this was also a faith that was unreasonable and absurd to those living in Jericho at that time! (“How do they expect to conquer our city simply by walking around it?”)

Faith is to the believer what physical evidence is to sight.

The Testimony of Faith

Hebrews 11:2 KJV 1900

For by it the elders obtained a good report.

“By faith...” is how each individual in Hebrews chapter 11 is introduced. They had a testimony of faith in God. And, their testimony, because it was one of faith, was a testimony that was pleasing to the Lord?

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Again, I remind you of the fact that we all have faith the only difference being, “What - or who - is our faith in ?!?”

We all have a testimony of faith. Is our testimony one that is pleasing to God? Is it a testimony of faith in God and in God’s Word?

The accounts that we read in Hebrews chapter 11 were also testimonies of love. Each account shows a direction set towards God and the things of God, not the things of this world!

Turn to and read Hebrews 11:24-27.

Would we have refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter knowing that that would have been a refusal of everything that the world had to offer?

Would we have chosen to suffer affliction with the people of God?

Would we have valued the reproach of Christ more than all the treasures of Egypt?

By faith, have we forsaken the world?

The accounts that we read in Hebrews chapter 11 were also testimonies of hope! The hope of each of these mighty men and women of faith was a hope that was spiritual; a hope that was not of this world!

Turn to and read Hebrews 11:13-16.

Hebrews 11:35 KJV 1900

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Hebrews 11:39 KJV 1900

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Again, I ask you, as I did last week...

“Where is your hope? Is it in this life or in the life to come?”

“What is your hope? Is it something spiritual or something physical?”

Rejoicing in Hope

Hebrews 11:38 KJV 1900

(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

The world considered the men and women of Hebrews chapter 11 as not being valuable but foolish when, in reality, the men and women, by faith obtained and held onto the only thing that has any lasting value.

Truly the men and women of Hebrews chapter 11 illustrated with their lives the truth of Romans 5...

Romans 5:1–2 KJV 1900

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

So, what must we do?

Look at Hebrews chapter 12. (Turn to and read Hebrews 12:1-2.)

What is weighing you down? What is holding you back?

Exploring Hebrews: An Expository Commentary b. The Struggle (12:1b–c)

Legitimate things can become weights to hold us back—love of home and family, love of country, love of comfort and ease, contentment with job, security at work. These legitimate things can become weights to hold us back in the race.

What are we looking to? What has our attention?

Closing: Most have seen or read Dr. Seus’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” At the end of the story, after the Grinch has stolen all the presents, decorations, food, etc. all the Whos still celebrate Christmas.

"It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!" "It came without packages, boxes or bags!" And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store." "Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

What’s interesting to me, though, is the fact that Dr. Seus never explains what that “little bit more” is! But we all know that it is Love, Faith & Hope!

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