All I Want For Christmas Is…
More of What Christmas Should Bring! - Phil. 4:1-

 

Merry Christmas! We all hear it. We all say it. But what do we really mean? For most of us we mean enjoy your family get-togethers, your gifts, parties, extra time off, etc. But what should we mean, what should Christmas bring to mind? What should Christmas bring out in people? What should Christmas bring out in us?

Why did Christ come to this world? Why are we celebrating Christmas? Is it the pure little baby in a manger that should catch our eye? Or is it something else? Let me read from 1 Timothy 1:15-17 and let you hear what Paul said about Christ's coming was about…

15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

He not only came for Paul, but for you and I and the whole world that we might have life everlasting! Now that should cause us to say, Merry Christmas!

Let me read from Philippians 4.

1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Again I say, "Merry Christmas." Before I get to the message, let us look at what we need to see happen at Christmas time. Some things that Christmas should bring to us and those around us.

First…
Brotherly love - vs. 1 (dearly beloved)

Second…
Honest affections - vs. 1 (longed for)

Third…
Sincere compliments - vs. 1 (joy and crown)

Last…
Challenging encouragements - vs. 1 (stand fast)

These are what we should see, not tinsel, wrapping paper, lights, trees, candy canes, red suits, and elves. What should be visible and evident are the things the Lord sends the world through us and our actions.

So if we are to represent Christ at Christmas (and the whole year), what should people see in our lives? As Christians, how should we affect their outlook on all of this? How can we bring about a better Christmas?

We see in verse 2, Paul tells us to have…
The mind of Christ

Not just obvious things like godliness, holiness, goodness. We need to be more specific, in that we love God, God's things, His ways, His people, and more, we need them to see our…

True caring for everyone - Jesus wept - John 11:35
True response to those hurting - Widow of Nain (raised her son)
True response to those in need - Christ healed the man at Bethesda who was sick for 38 years. He had no one to help him in his time of need

We can talk about really caring, but these do not happen as they should without Christ in our lives. These do not show themselves greatly unless we have allowed Him to change our lives…

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

Paul also shows us in verse 3, they need to see…
We have the heart that will help

Helping fellow workers in the Lord - sometimes what they need is US, not gifts that will fade away!
Helping those who need help - we need a heart that "sees" the need
Helping just to help (even if they cannot repay - like the women here)

One thing Paul wants us to hang onto is…
Our joyous attitude - verse 4

Rejoice always - because we have Him
Controlled always - vs. 5 - do not let circumstances take our joy
With Him always - He truly brings a great joy (unspeakable at times)

1 Pet 1:8-9 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

And Paul wants us to let people see…
Our trust that is accurate - vs. 6

Don't worry - He is in control
Ask in prayer - He will answer
Say thanks - He deserves our thanks

2 Cor. 5:17-21 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

I want to conclude with this last main point, they need to see…
We walk the path that is right - vs. 7-8

Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

It needs to be right in the Lord's eyes - His Word should be our guide
It needs to be right in our own eyes - Understand His Word and align with it
It needs to be seen as right in their eyes - Know we seek His guidance because we walk the walk and talk the talk and He lives in our hearts

We can make Christmas real in their eyes. IF we let these words apply to our hearts.

Gary Marcum - 122301am - New Beginnings Church