Myth Christmas

Since several have been keeping up with my Myth America Contest series, I didn't want to leave out the last one. Last Sunday I shared some thoughts about Myth Christmas. The following are my central points. Hope they help and bless.

Myth Christmas

Introduction:

A. Two of my favorite Christmas movies are The Grinch... and the musical version of A Christmas Carol. Mostly for the songs in each - "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch" and "Thank you very very much" - I love the singing and dancing on Scrooges coffin as they talk about "the nicest thing that anyone's every done for me." Odd mix of movies.

B. Odd mix of partners = Christians and anti-Christians who are both anti-Christmas.

C. Some like to be known for what they are against, but what really counts is what you are for! Jesus?

D. My official theological response to the anti-arguments is "So What?"

E. What would Jesus say about what He saw? Would He see Scrooges or servants? Whiners or singers? Getters or givers? Stressed or thankful?

F. For one brief moment, most of the world thinks about Him! Praise God!

1. Christmas is not a holiday, but a holy day! (Yes I know that's redundant)

A. We are called to be holy - 1 Pet.1:16-17 Things of God are holy. Can people declare something holy? Yes, but only if it glorifies God!

B. What makes a day holy? Glorifying God! Which one's aren't holy? Many have one - PTL!

C. Special days? Wonderful tools from God. Even Jewish feasts were tools not laws!

D. Romans 14 - Paul settled the problem by saying the only thing that matters is giving thanks!

E. Holy? What does Christmas do to help you think about God?

2. Christmas isn't about gifts but love!

A. In the midst of life's difficulties we throw the stress of Christmas (big list).

B. Nothing compared to the difficulties of the first one (bigger list)! Still, all about love!

C. Makes John 3:16 truly special.

3. Christmas? Commercial or spiritual? How do you know?

A. Results! More focus on Jesus?

B. One woman's Christmas - John 4 - nothing ever the same again!

Conclusion: Christmas may be man made, abused, ignored by some, and have no spiritual significance for some, BUT God can use anything as a tool to help us draw close to Him!