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HOW TO ASSEMBLE A "MERRY CHRISTMAS"

Introduction:

There are certain Christmas' that you can remember distinctly because of where you were.

There are certain Christmas' that you can remember because of what you received.

There are also certain Christmas' you can remember vividly because they were surrounded with unique (not always good) circumstances.

The Christmas season comes upon us so quickly.

When it comes, it comes to us unassembled. When buying Christmas gifts for our children the words that bring frustration to the holidays are “assembly required” and “batteries not included.”

Like many of the bicycles and toys that parents have struggled to assemble to assure a Merry Christmas for their children, I am glad that Christmas comes with a book of instructions too! However, this book of instructions is a lot easier to understand than those others.

When all else fails, read the instructions. Here in God’s Word we find out how to assemble a Merry Christmas.

I.        FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DISCOVER THE MAIN PART.

            (Luke 2:15-16) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said

            one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord

            hath made known unto us. {16} And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in

            a manger.

            A.        A Christmas celebration that provides lasting joy cannot be found in the things of this world.

                        1.         You won’t find it at the Mall or Shopping centers.

                        2.         You won’t find it at a Christmas party.

                        3.         You won’t find it under a tree.

                        The main focus of Christmas must be sought carefully and diligently.

                        He is found at a lowly stable in Bethlehem.

            B.       A truly Merry Christmas begins with a baby in a manger.

                        This is the most unlikely place to find a Merry Christmas for some.

                        This is no ordinary baby.

                        (Luke 2:11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

                         1.        This baby was born to die - Savior

                         2.        This baby was the anointed one - Christ

                         3.        This baby is Lord of all - Lord

   I.      FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DISCOVER THE MAIN PART.

  II.      GET SOMEONE ELSE TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE.

            Luke 2:17--And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning

            this child.

             A.       Christmas is one of the most profitable times of the year for sharing with others about Christ.

                        The whole reason for the season is found in the birth of Christ.

                        The shepherds increased their joy by spreading the good news of Jesus' birth.

            B.        Keeping Christmas to ourselves will rob us of the greatest opportunity we have to discover

                        True joy and truly have a Merry Christmas.

 III.     TAKE TIME TO THINK IT THROUGH.

            (Luke 2:18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

            A.       The commercialism of Christmas is not in the fact that we buy gifts or decorate.

            B.        The commercialism of Christmas is that the true meaning gets lost in the hustle and bustle

                        of adding to the season things that distract us.

                        The message was plain by those shepherds that night and it stuck wonder in the hearts of those that

                        heard their tale.

                        Note: Taking time and reading the story of the first Christmas and listening to the Word of God can

                        assure one of a "Merry Christmas.”

             C.       Take the time to sit, relax and meditate on the wonder of the true story of Christmas.

                        If by focusing, listening on the Word we can recapture the true meaning of Christmas, we will indeed

                        have assembled a Merry Christmas.

   I.     FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DISCOVER THE MAIN PART.

  II.      FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE.

 III.      TAKE TIME TO THINK IT THROUGH.

 IV.     DON’T THROW ANYTHING AWAY!

            (Luke 2:19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

            Illustration: Have you ever looked at the finished product and compared it with the picture on the box?

            They do look similar but if not constructed carefully there will be tell-tale differences that will be evident in the copy.

            If you try to skip steps, the parts left over testify of a sloppy job or bad instructions.

             A.       First, we understand "kept" to mean that she remembered the events of that night and the

                        things connected to the birth of the Savior.

                        She meditated on those things. Every detail that surrounds Christmas is important and must not be forgotten.

                        If it is lost then our Merry Christmas is just a poor facsimile of the original.

            B.       Secondly, "kept" here can also signify "to observe to celebrate".

                        As we observe the Christmas season, lets center our traditions and celebration around the things that

                        remind us of that blessed event.

                        Illustration: A tradition in our house is to have a Happy Birthday Jesus Cake and sing Happy Birthday to

                        the Savior.

                        Before we opened gifts we focus us on the Christmas story by reading it from the Bible.

   I.     FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DISCOVER THE MAIN PART.

  II.      FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE.

 III.      TAKE TIME TO THINK IT THROUGH.

 IV.     DON’T THROW ANYTHING AWAY!

  V.      DON’T STOP UNTIL THE JOB IS DONE.

Luke 2:20-- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

            Note: A Merry Christmas just begins in December. It should continue the whole year through for a Christian.

             A.       The shepherds returned to their job and their responsibilities with a different attitude.

                        They worked the rest of their shift somewhat differently.

                        They may have gone back to the same boring job but they were not the same men.  

                        The joy of the first Christmas had changed them.

             B.       Have you allowed Christmas to make a positive difference in your life?

                        Do you return to work after the holidays, praising God for the gift of his Son and

                        rejoicing in a Merry Christmas?

Conclusion:

These five steps to assemble a Merry Christmas are clear but they are not always easy.

It takes some effort to put together a Merry Christmas.

It took some effort on the part of the shepherds and Mary.

If you have had trouble assembling a Merry Christmas in the past, why not stop and read the instructions this year.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!