Truth
(John 18:37, Ephesians 4:15) The reason for Christmas was for the sake of truth. It was not to rewrite truth or redefine truth. Jesus came for the sake of truth. Now Truth is Truth whether you believe it or not. Truth is truth whether it offends you or not. But the truth is to be shared from a position of love.
Peace
This is the time of year when our lives can be filled with busyness, frustration, worry and disagreements. God’s Word tells us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. It tells us angels reassured the terrified shepherds by bringing them news of great joy. Why, then, are we worried and frustrated? Now is the time for stillness rather than busyness, blessing rather than frustration, peace rather than worry and unity rather than disagreements. It is also the time of year when we should focus on the birth of Jesus because that birth brought everything we need.
Traditions
Stuart Jones and Tim Hurd (Children’s Minister) discuss their favorite Christmas traditions and the true meaning of Christmas.
Wonder
For children and many older kids and adults, Christmas morning is an exciting time. Christmas can be a time of surprise, mixed with admiration and wonder that is often caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar or inexplicable. This may be how we describe Christmas today. It is certainly describing the first Christmas. How wonderful and beautiful and inexplicable that first Christmas was…a time when God came to live among his people. In Revelation we read, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people and he will dwell with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
Search for the King
The Magi searched for the King, planning to give him their treasures. But at the end of their long journey, finding Jesus, they discovered the greatest treasure of all. Are we wise like they were? Are we searching for the King?