How to Have a Great Christmas

How to Have a Great Christmas - Audio

In the final message of our Christmas series, we add tinsel and treats to our tree.  The Tinsel reminds us of the humility of the Saviour’s birth.  If He had chosen to come as a king He would have needed to rule justly, treating us as we deserve.  The Baubles we added to the tree on the previous week remind us that we have all sinned against God, and the penalty that our sins deserve is death.  Jesus as King would need to pass judgement.

However He did not come to function as a King, He came to play the role of servant.  Instead of a palace He had a stable and a bed of straw, which is symbolised by the tinsel on our tree.  As a servant He did exactly what the angel announced to Joseph – He saved us from our sins.  Now there is forgiveness and freedom for those who accept it from Him.

The treats complete the message.  They represent the goodness that waits for those who have been saved from sin.  Because our sins have been dealt with, we are free to belong in God’s family and enjoy eternal life with Him.  We look forward to the time when Jesus returns as King or we go to be with Him, where evil no longer corrupts us and everything around us because it has been judged and dealt with by the King of Kings.

So how can we have a great Christmas?  The shepherds provide us with a great example.

·         They Heard the Message about Jesus
They didn’t give in to fear and run away!  They allowed God to break into their normal experience to speak a life-changing message.

·         They Received the Message about Jesus
They allowed the angels’ message to shape their actions.  They left their sheep behind and went to Jesus.

·         They Shared the Message about Jesus
Once they had encountered Jesus for themselves, they then shared about Him with others.

We can choose to do the same this Christmas.  We’ve had the chance to hear the message about Jesus.  Will you receive that message and allow it to shape your life?  Will you accept Jesus as the Saviour who came to free you from your sins and the King who now reigns in glory?  Will you share the message about Him with those around you who need to hear about Him?

All of us will meet Jesus as King one day.  How we meet Him will depend on whether we have first met Him as our Saviour.  Will you stand before Him as one whose sins are forgiven and who can receive blessings from His hand, or will you stand before Him on your own merits and face the awful reality of His judgement?

Your Christmas can only be a Great Christmas when it reminds you of why Jesus came the first time and when you know that you stand prepared for when He comes again.