The Calloused Christmas 12-23-2007 Scripture Luke 1:15-20
15when the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Look at how Mary considers it all
I don't usually think of 15 year olds pondering,
I think they all took this moment pretty seriously.
Angels appearing would probably have that effect on you.
The shepherds lives were changed.
From dirty selfish angry lost little rejects of society
They became dirty poor, less selfish proclaimers of joy.
So it is Christmas, What is Christmas? a time for trees, lights, programs, cooking , family.
Ever have one that isn't going so well?
Traffic......on the way to give Scott his lunch
Didn't get all the ornaments on the tree, didn't have any time to enjoy them.
Lights burned out on front of house.
Fought on the way to the program.
Have to eat at Aunt Suzie's house and the family is mad at me.
Modern American despair, but despair none the less.
There must be more to Christmas
Joy Steincross concert
Faith is not a noun. It is not something that you own or something that you posses.
It's a verb. It is something that happens to you.
Baseball, tazer [tazer in a cell phone]
If I put it on you with this item, next time you see one, you will recoil in fear
Because something happened to you regarding it....
Christmas is not a thing of the mind. It is a thing of the heart. It is not just about knowing the story. It's not about believing. It must be experienced.
Christmas is a verb. It is not a noun. It is not lights, trees, programs, food or even family. It is something that happens to you.
How do you find the experience of Christmas,
How can you help it happen to you?
If you put yourself in position. If you sit down and ask for the gift.
If you push the other stuff back, if you shun the trim
Then your heart is open for a visit of the Holy Spirit
The love the joy the peace of Christmas comes rushing in
Christmas happens to you.
Walk by the tree vs sit at the tree [when I was in Jr. High]
San Jose rescue mission vs Russia
Hear without hearing, or listen to the Christmas carols
Once in Royal David's city
How great our joy
O little town of Bethlehem
I was open to it, or it was opened to me
It is a gift that you can give to yourself, and you can invite others to find as well
What if something real happened in your life this Christmas?
Today?
What if the worry and despair was replaced with joy?
Intentionally go to the place and seek the gift
Put yourself in a position to be hit with the joy.
Make time to stand in awe.
Don't settle for Christmas, be gripped by the gift of the Christ child.
Then just as the shepherds of old, we are changed.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Peace, grace, reconciliation, forgiveness
Have someone sing..... hear the words..... joy to the world....
Walk to the manger
Dear friends
In a few moments we will close by singing, grace alone.
But now, it is a joy each year to participate in out tradition of walk to the manger.
On that first Christmas, shepherds, angels,and wise men made their way to the manger and offered their worship, their love, and their gifts.
God has blessed us in the year 2007 and we have the opportunity to offer a special gift to the Christ child.
It is a joy to invite you to join me as we take a walk to the manger.
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