Luke 2:1-7
“I don’t have room for you in the hotel, but I’d love to have you come in for milk and cookies.”
WELCOME To Central Church of Christ. Week 3. Put more time into decorating your souls for the coming of the Christ than decorating your house for the coming of Christmas.
Week 1: Repentence – God prepared the Christmas story with John the Baptist first.
Week 2: Deep and Abiding Faith – God prepared for Christmas with Mary making at least 8 references to God Almighty – instead of references to a cute baby.
Oprah Dealing with Family Disfunction– Rooted in Biblical Principals – https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/dealing-with-a-dysfunctional-family-during-the-holidays/all
- Give Up Hope – Of Changing People
- Set Secure Boundaries – BEFORE you meet
- Lose Control – Stop trying to control others
- Become a Participant Observer
- Debrief afterwards
“I am so glad He was not born in some rich palace bed. I am so glad to know it was a lowly place, instead. A place where soft-eyed cows and sheep were sheltered and were fed. For to the country born of earth a stable will ever be a wholesome place, where night comes down with its tranquility, a place of heart’s ease and content for all who choose to see. And so I like to think of Him first opening His eyes in that good elemental place beneath the friendly skies. That the men of fields could find Him there, as well as the great and wise.” (Grace Noel Crowell)
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Paul wrote “do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” I Corinthians 6:9-11
Max Lucado once noted that the manger was a statement that “there is no place Jesus will not go. If he is willing to be born in a barnyard, then expect him to be at work anywhere— bars, bedrooms, boardrooms, and brothels. No place is too common. No person is too hardened. No distance is too far. There is no person he cannot reach. There is no limit to his love.” (http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/12/01/max-lucado-should-just-skip-christmas-this-year.html)
John 1:11 tells us “He came to his own, and his own did not receive him.”
John 15:18 Jesus told His disciples “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” I Peter 4:12-14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DraQIZB3k94 – Straight No Chaser – 2018
“Sweet Little Jesus Boy, they made you be born in a manger. Sweet little Holy Child, didn’t know who You was. Didn’t know You’d come to save us, Lord – to take our sins away. Our eyes was blind, we couldn’t see. We didn’t know who you was.” (Our Daily Bread 12/24/01)
CLOSE: – Decorate Your Soul with Humility
- Kneel at the cross,
Christ will meet you there,
Come while He waits for you;
List to His voice,
Leave with Him your care
And begin life anew.
- Refrain:
Kneel at the cross,
Leave every care;
Kneel at the cross,
Jesus will meet you there.
- Kneel at the cross,
There is room for all
Who would His glory share;
Bliss there awaits,
Harm can ne’er befall
Those who are anchored there