Pastor Rick Jackson
A week ago it was Christmas eve and now here it is New Year’s
eve. There probably is not the anticipation for tomorrow as there was last week
but why isn’t there? You say, Brother Rick, that was Christmas, this is just
New Years day- a good day perhaps, but certainly not Christmas. Perhaps not but
every day for the Christian ought be considered a gift from God. What are some
of the things we associate with Christmas and how can we have the Christmas
spirit all the year?
1. Happy Holidays-
Hallowed Holy Days [Ps. 118:24, Rm. 14:5-8]
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it.
2. Christmas Gifts-
the Gifts of God [Acts 2:38, 10:45, Romans 11:29, 1 Corinthians 12:28]
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were
astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was
poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without
repentance.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
3. Christmas
Presents- Christ’s Presence [Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5]
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee,
nor ° forsake thee.
4. Christmas Songs-
Christian songs [Ephesians 5:19, Colossians
3:16]
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
5. Christmas
Proclamation – Christian Proclamations [Is. 61:1-2]
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath
anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up
the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the
prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and
the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
6. Christmas Lights-
Christian Lights [John 8:12]
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of
the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life.
John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the
world.
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is
set on an hill cannot be hid.
7. Christmas
Celebration- Christian Rejoicing [Acts 5:41]
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing
that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the
Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he
went on his way rejoicing.
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer;
2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony
of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly
wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and
more abundantly to you-ward.
2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as
poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then
shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Philippians 1:18, 26; 2:16-18, 28; 3:1, 3; 4:4
Outside of the true Biblical Christmas account- my favorite
Christmas story is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. In the story, the character of Ebenezer Scrooge, at the time
of his conversion says, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep
it all the year.” This worthy thought is obviously a Scriptural one. May it be
Christmas in our hearts every day in 2015.
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