True Meaning

Itinerary
Pastoral Prayer: Lindsay Lagasse
Special Music: Donald Squillace (Tenor) and Jim Fagen (Classical Guitar)
Sermon: Lindsay Lagasse
Closing Prayer: http://www.findthepower.com/virtualchurch/ChurchClosingPrayer.htm

You sent us Your only begotten Son. He came to a world that hated Him and then died for them--for us. Father, we can not imagine the sacrifice He and You gave, and we can never repay You for it. But, Lord, we bow humbly before You today to thank You--for everything. You do so much and ask so little. So please, God, reign Your Holy Spirit upon us at this time, that we may drink in and process the true meaning of the blessing You gave us over 2000 years ago. In Christ's Heavenly Name we pray, AMEN.
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There's a Song in the Air
Lyrics (number 120): http://www.digitalhymnal.org/dhindex.cfm
Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_l-v51VY-w
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Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Little early? Perhaps...but the next two Sabbaths will be absent of my presence here, so I have to say it now or never! I do hope that in the hectic Christmas time, we are not forgetting the reason behind it all--the true meaning. It is not simply give and get, it's a day to remember and honor. Whom? Who else? Our Brother, Jesus Christ! It is called CHRISTmas for a reason! Perhaps y'all have noticed, but I hold a low tolerance for "Happy Holidays" and "Merry xmas"--it is just disrespectful to the Maker! Sure, not everyone is Christian, thus they do not celebrate Christmas. But come on--a Holiday Tree in Time Square? WHAT!? The other holidays at that time do not use the tree as a symbol! Thus, a big pine tree with an angel or star on top is for Christmas. Those who love the Lord can not keep contained their devotion to Him. Mark 12:30 says to "love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength". How can we love Him so dearly, and yet let His Word shatter before man? "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Galatians 6:8). It is clear that if we bow down to please man, keep from offending those sensitive souls by disobeying the Father, then we will lead to our own damnation.

"One of the more neglected areas of God’s love is telling people the truth. Some people practice neutrality and tolerance as Christian love. We are so careful not to OFFEND our neighbors, friends and family by THE TRUTH, so we can say we love them. But are we loving God by doing this? Are we really loving them? Are we so unwilling to endure any rejection that we have become ashamed of God’s word! Is it not better to do what is right in God’s eyes and suffer the consequences from man, then to do what is right in mans eyes and suffer the consequences from God! This is not a time to compromise on what is true to please people so that we don’t look like we are fanatics, it is time to stand up and shine the light because the world is getting darker day by day." (letusreason.org)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Now, before any of you tormentors get on me, I KNOW Christ was not born in December. I know the history behind the December rituals. You try to use that as an argument, but honestly, no one cares. Christians use Christmas as a day to remember His birth. Rarely do we say "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" because we know it'd be incorrect. So why waste your breath trying to poke holes in the logic, when it is obvious you have not done your own homework?

Back on topic here, I often wonder why gifts are given on Christmas. Yeah, I know it started with a kind-hearted German man helping two poor woman by giving them sacks of gold. But why did we pick that up? Or more importantly, why did that become the REASON for Christmas? Material goods have become the meaning behind the sacred day, and it is frightening. Remember, it is easier for a camel to get through the Needle gate (mentioned last week), than it is for a rich man to enter Heaven (Matthew 19:24). So why did a day for Christ become a day for possessions? It is obvious that the Father does not approve of worldly objects, because they distract us from Him. Jesus, on many accounts, tells His followers to drop all their belongings and follow Him. Some people, like Simon and Andrew (in Mark 1:14-20), are willing to drop it all for Jesus. But there are other men, like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22, who are unwilling to part with their bounty. But our worldly possessions will not come with us into Heaven--it is our godly deeds that will follow us.

So in this holiday season, the season that we celebrate the birth of our Brother, remember the reason behind it all. Before you go and spent $400 on some pointless laptop, stop and think: will this help bring me closer to the Father, or will this only feed my unrighteous antics?

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On Christmas day, O Lord, on this day when Your great light came into the world, we celebrate Your birth. We give You our life and give others our gifts as a sign of our love for You. As You brought Your Light for the world to little Bethlehem, let each of us show Your great Light of love, kindness, caring, and compassion to those around us. When we find frustrations in our hustle and bustle in this Christmas season, remind us what we do this Christmas is not just because of You. Remind us, O Lord, what we do is for You and for all of Your children on the earth. Let love be spread all around the world through us because of Your Son coming into the world. By Your holy name, let love touch every heart on earth. Let there be peace and good will amongst all nations. All these things I pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.