Archived Message
December 2006: Thank God For Christmas
By the end of this month we will have celebrated the Christmas event. This Christian celebration has become an event which is increasingly celebrated by countries that are not yet totally aware of the true meaning of it. In its most innocent form, without distortion from ungodly sources, it is a time to think of the moment in time when God entered into the very core of His human creation. It is a time to remember that God in His desire to change us from what we had become came to join us to demonstrate how we should really be. It was the beginning of the test that a human could lead a perfect life without sin. It was a time when the second Adam from heaven was born into the world of flesh and blood. It was the moment when the true sacrifice for the sin of humanity was born. It is not necessary to believe or think that the twenty fifth of December is the actual date of the birth of Jesus Christ the Son of God. It is quite probable that Jesus was born in the month of October and there is good evidence to lead to this conclusion. But the actual date is not of such great significance as to cause division among those who believe in Jesus as the Saviour of the world, that the Word of God became flesh and dwelt amongst us.Some Christian groups refuse to celebrate Christmas because it is has become too closely aligned to Pagan celebrations and I totally concede to them on this point. The Christmas celebration was probably meant to replace the existing Roman celebrations that were a time of resting, feasting, drinking and debauching. December for the ancient Romans was a time to go wild and indulge. Every body wants to be happy and that is fine with God. True happiness though cannot be found in the things that this world can offer. Pagan type celebrations are only a weak effort to try and get some sort of joy out of a system that is fraught with frustration and futility.
However, because I personally believe it is a time of opportunity to demonstrate the love and kindness of God, regardless of what the secular world has tried to hijack of the celebration, I am of the opinion to keep Christmas and ensure the Jesus Christ is right in the center of those celebrations. I have decided to keep Christmas as a time to celebrate the coming of the promised Messiah called Christ and to get a foretaste of the eternal joy that He will bring at His coming in glory when His Kingdom is established.
It is a time of giving thanks, to reflect that we are to be like Him, a time to thank Him for the gift of salvation and that Jesus was to baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. So, we can take a look at ourselves and see how Christ has come to us, how has He entered your heart and how much the second Adam has changed your life. Christmas should remind us that we are to be a thankful and giving people.
Giving - thanks to the Lord. Psalm 92.
Developing a grateful heart to the one who gives us everything. Psalm 92 is a psalm for the Sabbath; it is a communal song of thanksgiving. Community is a fact of life in general and in the Church. Paul writes to the Ephesians in 5:17 - 20 about this. A look at all the things mentioned in Psalm 92 will show us many areas to be thankful for. Lovingkindness speaks for itself. Faithfulness, we thank God we can depend upon Him. Saving us from our enemies and showing us their end. (I think we should see the powers of darkness as the enemy now in view of 2 Cor. 10:3 - 5 and our call to spiritual warfare.)
For your own life.
Recognise that every good thing comes from God. James 1:17. In all circumstances 1 Thess. 5:18. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Advantages
Disperses depression, (poor me cannot survive in this atmosphere)
Increase joy in your life, (count your blessings)
Encourage your faith and hope for the future, (God is in my future)
Help you have a positive mental attitude, (don't throw this out as just modernism)
Encourage you to be generous towards God. (We need to practice this).
For others.
Recognise the good in those around you, after all God saw some good in you, something He was prepared to be born and die for. Make intercession for them before God.
For parents.
After all they are generally only doing their best! It might take time but it will come if you allow yourself to think on the good side and forgive the not so good in your opinion. Shakespeare 'How sharper than a serpent' s tooth it is to have an ungrateful child.'Bring joy to your parents. (Even though they might not understand your motives).
For your children.
They are here and it is best to accept the fact and build rather than destroy. Build them up as your blessing from God and His gift to you and society. Thank them for being 'them' . They contributed to your joy when they were born and so it should continue through life.
For your friends.
Even if you only have acquaintances. See them and thank them for any help or assistance (spiritual for example). Recognise their worth.
For society.
We can recognise our schools, police, hospitals and the whole system that gives quality of life. Each person has social value. When I give thanks for our food I think of the whole process of getting that food on to our table and the many people and oganisations that are involved. Try to give an offering of thanksgiving. Sometimes a small token of appreciation can accompany your words. Leviticus 7:12 shows this principle. If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried. Many times just a small gift says such a lot. To God or to a person.
Many poor, underprivileged, lonely, sick people will receive some small gift this Christmas. It is one way of saying 'God knows you and is thinking of you'.
It is a good thing to give thanks. It doesn't cost anything but a change of outlook and attitude and it is possibly one of the best ways to spread goodness. Praise is giving thanks and we know that God inhabits the praises of His people. It brings just as much joy to Him as a word of thanks to us.
Thank you for reading our monthly message, we pray Gods richest blessings over you. Have a blessed Christmas.
Ivan.
Ivan Harrison
(Pastor of The Open Door Church, Lawnton, Queensland, Australia).
For correspondence on matters relating to this message e-mail me at pastorivan@livingconnections.com. I am very interested in hearing from you.