How To Have A Successful Christmas

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16 -

A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTMAS MUST HAVE THE RIGHT PREMISE.

We see from our verse that the birth of Christ was which we celebrate at Christmas was about giving. About God giving his Only Son. About His Son giving his life for our redemption. This giving was not motivated by a sense of obligation or the desire to be recognized or appreciated. This gift was inspired by the only motive that was pure, love. God had formed all of Creation as a repository, a life support system for his most precious creature, mankind. The Bible tells us the reason that all things were created.

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all thing, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” - Revelation 4:11 -

Enter Satan who hates God and God’s creation; although Satan himself is only a created cherubim angel. He sought to overthrow God himself and when Satan was cast out of Heaven he sought to hurt God in the worst way possible. He caused mankind to sin knowing that sin would cause a deep rift of separation between God and man. For thousands of years men, under satanic influence, acted like the Devil himself desiring to be the god of their own lives, to please only themselves. Satan thought he had won.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” - Isaiah 59:2 -

But Satan is not God and is no match for the Creator in any way shape or form. What Satan was not counting on was that God would find a way to restore mans’ fellowship with his Creator. But it would come at a great cost. God would have to give his only Son. That Son would have to do something that had never happened before nor will it ever happen again. He gave the world a gift, His own Son.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” - John 1:1 –

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” - John 1:14 –

But the giving did not end there. Jesus gave himself. He willingly laid down his life facing the wrath of God so that we would not have to.

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” - Hebrews 2:9 –

So then Christmas is a time of giving to commemorate the greatest gift that has ever been given, Christ the Lord. The wise men that sought the Christ child brought gifts to him personally. Gifts that represented who he was and why he came. Gold because Jesus is the King of the Jews. One day all will know that he is more than that, the King of kings. Frankincense was in incense that was offered with sacrifices to God, signifying that this baby would one day be the sacrifice for our sins. Myrrh spoke of his impending death and was the spice that was applied to bodies when they were prepared for burial.

A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTMAS MUST HAVE THE RIGHT GIFT.

The gifts the Magi brought to the young child Jesus could in no way match what he was about to give for all of mankind. But, they showed an understanding of who Jesus was and why he came, to give himself. And, while we probably cannot afford even the gifts the wise men brought, maybe we can recreate that spirit of awe and gratitude by giving something we do have, ourselves. This year while you are giving gifts bought from the store, why not give something more personal, something more costly. Give the gift of self.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.: - Romans 12:1 –

Begin by giving yourself back to God. Give back the fellowship that was lost due to sin by finding mercy and forgiveness by believing and receiving Christ as your personal Saviour. If you have already been saved then perhaps you could rededicating your life to God before witnesses at church. Not to make a public show of your goodness; but to make a public commitment to God. It is more likely that you will keep your promise if you have made it before witnesses. Give him the availability of your time to tell the” greatest story ever told” to someone who has never heard. Give the gift of your ability by using your talents to honour God and his work. Give God some of your worldly treasure because that is how God has chosen to help those in need by the grateful generosity of those whom he has so richly blessed.

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” - 1 Timothy 5:8 -

We should follow up by really giving ourselves back to our family. Give them love and understanding, time and interest. Listen to them and talk to them. Just as God desires fellowship with us, it is a normal family that desires to spend time with each other. Decide right now that family comes before self and that they are worthy of all you have. No matter how inconvenient the time or the situation give yourself to them without hesitation.

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” - Philippians 2:4 -

And do not forget to give yourself to others. We are told to be friendly or we will ourselves be without friends. We are told to give to others or one day when we need the help of a stranger we will find ourselves alone. Remember to be hospitable to all men if you are at all able to help them.

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” - Hebrews 13:2 –

I am confident that by remembering the real reason for the season, God’s gift to you, Jesus Christ; and by giving back the only thing you really have of value, yourself, this will be your most successful Christmas ever!