Embracing the True Meaning of Christmas

Devotional

Day 1: The Assurance of Hope

Christmas is a time to reflect on the profound hope that Jesus brings into our lives. This hope is not just wishful thinking but an absolute assurance of salvation and eternal life. It anchors our souls amidst life's storms, providing a steadfast foundation. As we celebrate this season, we are reminded that Jesus came to be our Savior, offering forgiveness and a promise of eternal life. This hope is a gift that transforms our perspective, allowing us to face challenges with confidence and peace. [40:08]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to embrace the assurance of hope that Jesus offers? How can you actively remind yourself of this hope during the Christmas season?

Day 2: Traditions as Reminders of Faith

Traditions during Christmas are more than just rituals; they are opportunities to pass down the story of Jesus and the hope He brings. These traditions serve as tangible reminders of God's love and faithfulness, much like the memorial stones set by the Israelites. Whether it's watching a family movie, participating in community service, or attending a Christmas Eve service, these traditions help us remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior. They are vital in keeping the true meaning of Christmas at the forefront of our celebrations. [42:08]

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What Christmas tradition in your family or community most reminds you of God's love and faithfulness? How can you ensure this tradition points back to Jesus this year?

Day 3: Imparting Faith to the Next Generation

We are called to impress the story of Jesus and His commandments on the next generation. This involves sharing our personal testimonies and living out our faith, ensuring that our children understand the significance of the season. Just as the Israelites were instructed to teach their children about God's mighty acts, we too must share the story of Jesus' birth and how He has transformed our lives. By doing so, we help build a foundation of faith that can withstand life's challenges and questions. [46:59]

"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children." (Deuteronomy 4:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally share your faith and personal testimony with the younger generation this Christmas? What specific steps can you take to make the story of Jesus relatable to them?

Day 4: Creating Lasting Impressions Through Traditions

Just as the Israelites created memorials to remember God's deliverance, our Christmas traditions should leave a lasting impression, pointing to the significance of Jesus' birth and His impact on our lives. These traditions are not just for celebration but are meant to be a testament to God's love and faithfulness. By being intentional about the traditions we create and maintain, we can ensure that they honor Jesus and leave a lasting legacy of faith for future generations. [50:30]

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, 'Till now the Lord has helped us.'" (1 Samuel 7:12, ESV)

Reflection: What new tradition can you start this year that will leave a lasting impression of faith in your family or community? How can this tradition point others to the hope and joy found in Jesus?

Day 5: Sharing Personal Testimonies of Transformation

Beyond telling the story of Jesus' birth, sharing our personal stories of transformation through Christ helps build faith in others. It is essential to make the story of Jesus personal and relatable to the next generation. By sharing how Jesus has transformed our lives, we provide a living testimony of His love and power. This Christmas, let us seize every opportunity to share our personal testimonies, ensuring that the true meaning of Christmas is at the heart of our celebrations. [54:32]

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear your personal testimony of transformation through Christ this Christmas? How can you share your story in a way that is gentle and respectful, yet impactful?

Sermon Summary

Christmas is indeed a time of joy, celebration, and reflection. It is a season that brings together the warmth of traditions, the hope of salvation, and the love of family and community. As we gather to celebrate, we are reminded that Christmas is not just about the festivities but about the profound hope that Jesus brings into our lives. This hope is not a mere wishful thinking but an absolute assurance that Jesus came to be our Savior, offering us forgiveness and eternal life. This season is a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the traditions that shape our celebrations and to ensure that they point back to the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ.

Traditions play a significant role in our lives, especially during Christmas. They are not just rituals but are opportunities to pass down the story of Jesus and the hope He brings to the next generation. Whether it's watching a family movie, participating in community service, or attending a Christmas Eve service, these traditions help us remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior. They serve as tangible reminders of God's love and faithfulness, much like the stones that the Israelites set up as a memorial of God's deliverance.

As we engage in these traditions, it is crucial to impress upon our children and those around us the significance of the season. Just as the Israelites were instructed to teach their children about God's commandments and His mighty acts, we too are called to share our faith and the story of Jesus with the next generation. This involves not only telling the story of Jesus' birth but also sharing our personal testimonies of how Jesus has transformed our lives. By doing so, we help build a foundation of faith that can withstand the challenges and questions of life.

In this season, let us be intentional about creating and maintaining traditions that honor Jesus. Let us seize every opportunity to share the story of His love and salvation with those around us. Whether through acts of service, family gatherings, or personal reflection, let us ensure that the true meaning of Christmas is at the heart of our celebrations. As we do so, we leave a lasting impression on the hearts of our children and community, pointing them to the hope and joy found in Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. WN9VP0&t=2408s'>[40:08]
2. The Importance of Traditions: Traditions are vital in celebrating Christmas as they help us remember and pass down the story of Jesus. They serve as reminders of God's love and faithfulness, much like the memorial stones set by the Israelites.

3. Teaching the Next Generation: We are called to impress the story of Jesus and His commandments on the next generation. This involves sharing our personal testimonies and living out our faith, ensuring that our children understand the significance of the season.

4. Creating Lasting Impressions: Just as the Israelites created memorials to remember God's deliverance, our Christmas traditions should leave a lasting impression, pointing to the significance of Jesus' birth and His impact on our lives.

5. Sharing Personal Testimonies: Beyond telling the story of Jesus' birth, sharing our personal stories of transformation through Christ helps build faith in others. It is essential to make the story of Jesus personal and relatable to the next generation.

** [40:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Joy of Christmas
[01:15] - The Most Wonderful Time
[02:00] - The Hope of the Season
[03:45] - Traditions and Their Importance
[05:00] - Family Traditions
[06:30] - Teaching Through Example
[08:00] - The Role of the Church Family
[09:30] - Deuteronomy and the Ten Commandments
[11:00] - Impressing Faith on Children
[12:30] - The Story of Deliverance
[14:00] - Joshua and the Memorial Stones
[15:30] - Creating Traditions
[17:00] - Sharing Personal Stories
[18:30] - Invitation to Know Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Joshua 4:1-7
- Psalm 78:4

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Observation Questions:

What are some of the traditions mentioned in the sermon that help families remember the true meaning of Christmas? [42:08]
According to Deuteronomy 6:4-9, what specific instructions are given to the Israelites about teaching their children?
In Joshua 4:1-7, what was the purpose of the stones taken from the Jordan River, and how were they to be used as a teaching tool for future generations?
How does Psalm 78:4 emphasize the importance of sharing God's deeds with the next generation?

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Interpretation Questions:

Why might traditions be an effective way to teach children about the significance of Christmas and the story of Jesus? [44:17]
How does the concept of "impressing" God's commandments on children, as described in Deuteronomy 6, relate to the idea of creating lasting traditions?
What might be the significance of using physical objects, like the stones in Joshua 4, to serve as reminders of God's faithfulness and deliverance?
How can the act of sharing personal testimonies, as mentioned in the sermon, strengthen the faith of the next generation? [54:32]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own family traditions during Christmas. How do they point to the hope and joy found in Jesus Christ? Are there any new traditions you might consider starting this year? [42:08]
How can you be more intentional about sharing your personal testimony of faith with your children or those around you this Christmas season? [54:32]
In what ways can you incorporate the teaching of God's Word into your daily routine, as suggested in Deuteronomy 6:4-9? Consider practical steps you can take to make this a reality.
Think about a time when a tradition or a physical reminder helped you remember God's faithfulness. How can you create similar reminders for your family or community?
How can you involve your children or younger family members in acts of service this Christmas to help them understand the true meaning of the season? [44:17]
Consider the role of the church community in supporting the spiritual growth of the next generation. How can you contribute to this effort, even if you don't have children of your own? [44:17]
Identify one specific way you can share the story of Jesus with someone who may not know Him this Christmas. What steps will you take to make this happen? [54:32]

Sermon Clips

Christmas is a time for traditions. How many of you have Christmas traditions? Is that you, you follow through on every year? Raise your hand. Christmas traditions. I think they're so important. I know in our home we have a lot of different traditions. One of the, one of the things that we do, and let me just say this, not all your traditions have to be centered around Bible and the Word of God and Scripture. I mean, there's obviously it's Christmas season and, and a lot of them should be around the idea of the story of Christmas, but they don't all have to be Christian. Can I just put it in that term? They don't have to be about God. One of our traditions as a family is Thanksgiving evening. After all, we're done eating. We've watched football. Everyone's had a nap. We gather around and we've done this for years. We gather around and we watch the movie Elf. Okay. That's one of our traditions. Okay. And we all know all the words and we all laugh at the same parts and we all quote it together. [00:40:08] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

But it's one of the traditions that we have as a family. Okay. So it's important to have traditions. Another one of our Christmas traditions is participating in Christmas for Christ. Okay. We had an opportunity to, to do that last week. And I want you to know that that can be a family tradition where you come together and you spend time praying together at the altar and you talk about it. Why are we doing this? Why are we bringing this gift? It's because we want to make sure that we put Jesus first, right? It's a tradition and, and that's what this season is all about. And so that's, that was one of our traditions. [00:41:02] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Every, every year we have Christmas Eve service and, and it's one of those opportunities. It's one of those opportunities for families to come and to make sure that in the midst of the, the craziness of the season, let's be reminded again what this is really all about. It's about Jesus. And so Christmas Eve services, and then we would have a meal, a family meal after that. And, and then one of the things that we do on Christmas morning is, is we always, hid, the kids would have like a main present, this is their main big present, and we would always hide it and make them do a scavenger hunt to find it. [00:42:08] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

They learn best by seeing it. When you teach a kid how to tie their shoes, you don't just say, well, you take the two strings and you cross them and then you make a bow. You don't talk them through it because they don't get it. You show them how to do it. Right? You show that they learn best by seeing an example. When they learn how to do math, you're adding four cubes and then you've got three cubes and so you count the four and then you add the three and you don't just say, you know, you don't just tell them, you show them. Right? They need to see it. And when it comes to Christmas, when it comes to understanding what the Christmas season is all about, a tradition is a great way for them to see and understand why do we do what we do? It's so that we can celebrate Jesus. So make sure that your traditions include the story of Jesus. [00:43:00] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Every one of us has a part to play. Every one of us can do something to help share the story, to make sure that we are passing the story of Christmas and what it truly means on to the next generation. And really that's what God's Word teaches us. I want you to turn with me today to Deuteronomy chapter 5 and 6. Deuteronomy chapter 5 and 6, Old Testament book. It's the fifth book in what is called the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Old Testament. It's the first five books of the Old Testament. It's the first five books of the Old Testament. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Turn to Deuteronomy chapter 5 and chapter 6 today. I want you to see something that's in this passage. In chapter 5, you're going to see a list of the Ten Commandments. There are two places where they are listed in the Word of God. The first one is in Exodus chapter 20. [00:45:31] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And then the second one is here in Deuteronomy chapter 5. And so God is laying out for the nation of Israel, here's what I want you to follow. Here's my decrees. Here's my commandments. This is how I want you to live. And then we get over to chapter 6, and he's saying, so you need to make sure that you understand these and you know these. And so I want us to pick up in Deuteronomy chapter 6, starting with verse 4. Look what it says. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments I give you today are to, look at this, to be on your hearts. And then verse 7, impress them, underline that or circle that, impress them on your children. [00:46:59] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. So let's look at this. He's just giving them the Ten Commandments, and he's basically saying to them, listen, I want you to understand something. The most important thing that you can do is this. Love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. [00:47:05] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And what he's saying there is, listen, I want you to keep it. in plain sight and all you're going out and you're coming in know that God's word is with you that's what he's declaring and so he's saying listen I want you to impress it upon the lives of your kids help to sharpen them have them be surrounded by the word of God because it's always being taught it's always around them it's always in their focus it's everywhere they're looking they see the word of God we need to teach our kids what God's word is and then later on in this same chapter it's Deuteronomy chapter 6 he explains to to us why this is so significant it starts in verse 20 Deuteronomy 6 20 again this same chapter just a few verses down he says in the future when your son asks you what is the meaning of this of the stipulations decrees and laws of the Lord our God has commanded you tell him we were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand before our eyes the Lord sent signs and wonders great and terrible on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household but he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors the Lord commanded us to obey these decrees and to fear the Lord our God so that we might always prosper and be kept alive as is the case today so here's what he's saying teach these commandments teach these truths teach the word of God to your children have it always going on everywhere you're going that'll be a part of just your regular life you're always imparting the truth of God's word and you're living it out in front of them and the question would be why why do we do that because one of these days your kids are going to look at you look at you and say why do we do this why do we live this way why do we believe this why do we act this way and his response was then you tell them the story [00:52:30] (116 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

We were in Egypt and we had no hope of ever being set free. But then God came and God caused these plagues to hit the nation of Egypt. And ultimately, God allowed us to be set free and we plundered Egypt when we left and God delivered us. And so God delivered us out of our slavery. God delivered us out of our bondage. And he said, you know what, I'm gonna be your God and you're gonna be my people. And I want you to live by these decrees. So why do we do it? Because God brought us out of slavery. [00:54:32] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And when your kids ask you, what is that big pile of rock? That's your opportunity to tell them. Let me tell you what God did. Let me tell you the story. We were trying to get into the promised land and the river was flooded and they would be able to go back and walk them through the miracle of God. God stacked up the water and God allowed them to cross through on dry ground. They were creating a monument. They were creating a monument. They were creating a monument. They were creating a tradition, if you will. [00:59:57] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And we're going to make sure that our whole family understands and knows the story of Jesus. Why do we do it? To remind us in the middle of a crazy season when, like Pastor Corbin said, there's all kinds of stuff that tries to pull us away and tries to distract us, to help us to understand he has no rival. He has no rival. There's nothing that compares to Jesus. There's nothing that compares to this season because this is the season that reminds us that our Lord and Savior came to earth. [01:01:04] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And God began to heal, and God began to restore, and our marriage was restored, and God blessed us with you. And just tell, whatever your story is, whatever your testimony is, but use the tradition to talk about Jesus and how Jesus has changed your life. Your kids need to know your story. They need to know that God delivered you, that God, that God set you free, that God has saved you, God has healed you. They need to know your story, because it helps to build their faith. [01:02:11] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And so today in this room, you may be here and you've never invited Jesus to forgive you of your sins. I knew that Christmas was about Jesus, but I didn't really know why he came. He came to be your savior. Friend, I want you to know, he came to be your savior. And all you have to do in order for that to happen is you have to ask him to forgive you. Ask him to save you from your sins, from the penalty of your sins. [01:12:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)