In 1951, a very special year, a man by the name of Merideth Willson wrote a song that would gain much popularity over the years. As a matter of fact, you can still hear it played on the radio; it is also included in nearly every collection of Christmas songs available. Perhaps even a few of us have hummed a few bars of this tune this week. I personally began singing it a week or so before Thanksgiving. The song? "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" Ten years after Mr. Willson penned those words, Eddy Arnold wrote another song with a similar theme. "Christmas can't be far away". Both of these songs talk about the 'look' of Christmas.
Shopping malls and retail stores began preparing in October. Even Al started selling his trees before Thanksgiving. You can't drive a block without seeing colored lights or those inflatable characters on someone's lawn. I would have to agree, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Many people will mail Christmas cards to their friends and family, and the cards they receive will be hung on the walls of their homes. Many employers will give out Christmas bonuses, and the employees will be thankful to receive them. The bell-ringers are out in force, except in front of Target. Churches are planning pageants and cantatas. In the theaters you can find titles like 'Surviving Christmas, Christmas with the Cranks, and Polar Express'.
Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. But is this what Christmas is supposed to look like? That is the thought I would like us to consider this morning. The 'world' has an idea of what it should look like, but its view leaves out the most important part. Jesus Christ! Of course that is by design. At our schools we now have winter breaks rather than Christmas vacations. Merry Christmas has been replaced by Season's Greetings. Santa, reindeer, and snowmen have replaced Joseph, Mary, and the Wise Men. In Denver, a church was denied participation in the community Parade of Lights because the organizers didn't want to offend anyone by their float that would carry the banner 'Merry Christmas'. No doubt in an attempt to be politically correct, Mayor John Hickenlooper announced that next year the phrase "Merry Christmas" will be removed from the city building and replaced with "Happy Holidays." Yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but have we forgotten what Christmas should look like?
I. Christmas is Singing and Rejoicing
A. Christmas songs and Christmas carols are an important part of Christmas.
1. I am not talking about 'Frosty the Snowman'
2. Although I enjoy that song…
3. I am not even talking about 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…'
4. I am talking about 'O Holy Night' and 'O Come Let Us Adore Him'
5. Christmas carols are some of the most doctrinal songs that we sing.
6. Many are taken directly from the pages of Scripture.
7. Listen to these words:
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our Friend! He knows our need- to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die: Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.
8. What powerful words written to proclaim the birth of Our Savior.
B. Proclamation of the Birth of Christ was and is commanded by God.
1. The Angels proclaimed His birth to the Shepherds
2. Those shepherds that we see in portrayed in every Christmas play ever presented…
3. In the plays, the shepherds are seen as bit players…extras in bathrobes and towels on their heads.
4. But in the Scripture, they were privileged to be among the first to hear the Good News of the birth of our Savior.
5. As they received the message that the Savior was born, they also received the need to tell others.
6. This Christmas season, the responsibility of proclaiming His birth rests with every believer.
Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
II. Christmas is Giving and Receiving
A. Is anyone here stressed out over their Christmas gift list?
1. Wondering how in the world we will find that perfect gift for those on our lists.
2. Wondering how in the world we will pay for the gifts.
3. Wondering if the gifts will be returned in just a few days.
B. Gift giving and receiving can be a lot of fun…but it isn't what Christmas is about.
1. Christmas is about God giving One Gift…
a. That One Gift is Jesus!
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
b. He was the Perfect Gift…fits all of us!
c. He was given to us out of a heart of love.
2. Christmas is also about receiving God's wonderful Gift.
a. No one gives a gift without the expectation that it will be received.
b. Every gift under a Christmas tree today was planned with a specific individual in mind.
c. One of the greatest joys we know is in seeing those we love receive the gifts we have given.
d. The same is true with God.
Lu 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
C. Gift giving and receiving is meaningless without an understanding of God's truth.
1. For too many years, my focus at Christmas was on the gifts with my name on the tag.
2. I would pout if I didn't get the gift I had asked for…
3. I would be jealous if someone else received a gift bigger or better than mine.
4. One year I borrowed money from my brother to buy a gift for my dad…I found the cheapest thing I could find…and spent the rest of the money on myself.
5. I know, I was a terrible little boy!
6. But I didn't understand…I missed the whole point of giving and receiving.
7. Scenes like that will be played out in many homes around the country…because they do not understand the truth about giving and receiving.
III. Christmas is Knowing Christ
A. Revisionists would like to change history.
1. Let's change it all…let's remove any reference to God or Jesus Christ.
2. But to do so, removes the very essence of Christmas.
3. Because Christmas isn't about a season.
4. It isn't about a time of year.
5. It is about a Person…and that Person is Jesus Christ!
B. Who is to blame?
1. We could say it is the ungodly influences of government.
2. We could blame it on the atheistic philosophers and educators.
3. But it is really our fault! What?
4. Jesus instructed us to let our lights shine…
5. He told us not to hide…
6. But for too long we have hidden our Christianity and now it seems that Christ has been all but eradicated from the very celebration that bears His name!
7. It is time for believers to stand up and proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ.
C. The Importance of the Person of Jesus Christ
1. He revealed to us God the Father.
2. What separates God from mythological characters…is Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus came into this world to dwell among us, that we might know God.
Joh 14:9b "…He that hath seen me hath seen the Father…"
4. Even His name tells us this truth.
Mt 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
5. Do we know Jesus Christ this morning?
6. We cannot understand or know what Christmas is without knowing Him.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
7. Do you know Him today?