Avoiding A Christless Christmas

As we move into this season of Christmas we are challenged to recognize the season as a time to reflect on Jesus Christ. Society ignores Jesus during this time and focuses on other things.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Celebrating the Birth

Two women who were having lunch in an elegant hotel were approached by a mutual friend who asked the occasion for the meal.

One lady replied, “We are celebrating the birth of my baby boy.”

“But where is he?” inquired the friend.

“Oh,” said the mother, “you didn’t think I’d bring him, did you?”

What a picture of the way the world treats Jesus at Christmas.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Celebrating the Birth

Two women who were having lunch in an elegant hotel were approached by a mutual friend who asked the occasion for the meal.

One lady replied, “We are celebrating the birth of my baby boy.”

“But where is he?” inquired the friend.

“Oh,” said the mother, “you didn’t think I’d bring him, did you?”

What a picture of the way the world treats Jesus at Christmas.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Celebrating the Birth

Two women who were having lunch in an elegant hotel were approached by a mutual friend who asked the occasion for the meal.

One lady replied, “We are celebrating the birth of my baby boy.”

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Celebrating the Birth

Two women who were having lunch in an elegant hotel were approached by a mutual friend who asked the occasion for the meal.

In essence this is what has happened to the celebration of Christmas. Many are guilty of celebrating the holiday without celebrating the holy One.

Transition: So what do we do about this? How do we avoid a Christ-less Christmas?

Matthew 1:23 ESV

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

I. We Must Celebrate the Events of Christmas

Christmas is about the birth if Jesus. This celebration surrounds the fulfilled prophecy of the coming Messiah.

-Isaiah spoke of his coming

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

isa 7:14

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

isa

The Birth of Jesus

to a virgin mother

Born in a stable

Illustration:

Application: If we choose to celebrate Christmas without commemorating the events of Christmas we are not celebrating Christmas at all. In fact I submit to you that it must be called something else. Here’s what we should this year to celebrate the events of Christmas, make every effort to come to worship on Christmas day. As you and your family gather to exchange gifts read the narrative of the birth of Christ. ;

Transition: Christmas must include Christ. Another way we avoid a Christ-less Christmas is:

II. We Must Celebrate the Person and Purpose of Jesus

Christmas is about the purpose of the Messiah’s coming.

Jesus came for the purpose of saving the world.

Matthew 1:21 ESV

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

john 3:16

Christmas celebrates this purpose. When we say Jesus is the reason for the season we must mean it and understand what we are saying. We are stating that if it had not been for Jesus coming into the world for our salvation.

Illustration:

Christ was content with a stable when he was born so that we could have a mansion when we die.

Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).

Application: As you celebrate Christmas this year make every effort to commemorate Jesus Christ and the purpose He served for us. Tell your family and children that Christmas reminds us that Jesus is our salvation.

Transition: Let us honor Christ this Christmas and not be influenced by the commercialization of our society. Celebrate the events of Christmas, Celebrate the person and purpose of Jesus and lastly, We must celebrate the presence of Jesus.

III. Celebrate the Presence of Jesus

Matthew 1:23 ESV

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

This passage opens what is known as an inclusio. An inclusio is a literature style of writing. In general the beginning and the ending says the same thing. In this case the beginning of Matthew and the end of Matthew says the same thing.

Matthew 1:23 ESV

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Matthew 28:20 ESV

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:

That is what Christmas reminds us of, that Jesus not only was born into this world but that He is ever present in our lives. Christmas reminds us that we have a savior.

Luke 2:11 ESV

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The savior is with us. Jesus did not step away from us. Jesus remains with us! We can call on Him! He is with us!

Illustration:

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;

If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;

If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;

If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;

But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).

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