HAS CHRISTMAS ENDED?

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Is Christmas over? The answer may not be what you think. It is true that Christmas is over. It is also true that Christmas continues. It is equally true that Christmas is calling. Calling you! How can this be? Aren’t these statements contradictory one to another or are they mutually exclusive? The answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

 

I. CHRISTMAS HAS ENDED!

At least, Christmas day, 12-25-2023 is over- and we should be thankful. Thankful? Thankful for what? Well…

1. Be Thankful for What You Got [Lk. 2:38, 2 Cor. 1:11, 9:15]

- And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

- Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

- Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

2. Be Thankful for What You Didn’t Get [Rm. 14:6, 6:23; Rev. 20:14]

- He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

- For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

3. Be Thankful for What You Gave [Col. 1:3, 2:7, 3:17; 4:2]

- We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

- Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

- And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him

- Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

 II. CHRISTMAS CONTINUES!

For the Christian- like the shepherds and the wise men- Christmas never ends if we…

 

1. Continue to Seek Christ Daily [Mt. 2:1-2, 9-12, 1 Cor. 15:31]

- NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

-When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

- I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

2. Continue to Worship Christ Openly [Mt. 2:2, 11; Heb. 13:15; Rev. 11:16-17]

- we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

- when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:

- By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

-And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned

3. Continue to Obey Christ Implicitly [Mt. 2:13; Jn. 14:15, 21, 15:10]

- And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

- If ye love me, keep my commandments.

-He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me

- If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

III. CHRISTMAS CALLS! Christmas calls for everyone to be involved!

 

1. Get Involved in the Receiving! [Jn. 1:12]

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

2. Get Involved in the Giving [Mt. 2:11, Lk. 6:38, Acts 20:35]

- And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

- Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

- remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

3. Get Involved in the Proclaiming [Lk. 2:17-18, 20, Ps. 126:5-6, Mt. 28:19-20]

The Shepherds - And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds… And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Anna the prophetess - And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.