Living the Spirit of Christmas Every Day

Devotional

Day 1: The Ever-Present Spirit of Christmas

The spirit of Christmas is not limited to a single day or season; it is a timeless truth that should permeate our lives every day. The birth of Jesus Christ is a celebration of hope and joy that transcends the festive season. As we transition from Christmas into the new year, we are reminded of the shepherds who, after witnessing the miraculous birth of Christ, returned to their lives transformed, glorifying and praising God. Their encounter with the divine marked the beginning of a new reality for them, one where they were active participants in God's redemptive plan. This calls us to live in the light of Christ's birth and the hope it brings to all people, every day of our lives. [23:14]

"Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you carry the spirit of Christmas into your daily life, even when the decorations are packed away?

Day 2: Trusting in God's Promises

The story of the shepherds reminds us that God's word is trustworthy. Even when circumstances seem unlikely, God's promises are fulfilled in His time and way. The shepherds' joy and transformation after witnessing the birth of Christ serve as a testament to the reliability of God's promises. Our response should be one of faith and obedience, trusting that His plans are for our good. This trust is not passive but active, inviting us to participate in His mission of reconciliation and redemption. [28:35]

"For the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one promise from God that you find difficult to trust? How can you actively choose to trust Him in this area today?

Day 3: Faithful Stewardship of God's Gifts

Mary and Joseph exemplify the importance of being faithful stewards of the responsibilities God entrusts to us. Their journey did not conclude with the birth of Jesus; they were entrusted with the monumental task of raising the Son of God. This required faith, obedience, and trust in God's plan. Their story highlights the significance of following God's guidance and being faithful stewards of the gifts He entrusts to us. We are called to embrace the opportunities each day presents to live out our faith, whether in times of joy or struggle. [47:33]

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one gift or responsibility God has entrusted to you, and how can you be a more faithful steward of it today?

Day 4: Seizing Daily Opportunities

The Christian life is about making the most of every opportunity to live out our faith. Whether in the mundane or the extraordinary, we are called to be witnesses of Christ's love and truth, impacting the world around us. Our lives, much like the shepherds and the holy family, are woven into God's grand narrative, and we are privileged to be part of His work in the world. This involves a daily commitment to follow Christ, to serve others, and to share the good news of His love and salvation. [01:00:10]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one opportunity you have today to share Christ's love with someone, and how will you act on it?

Day 5: Daily Commitment to Christ

Our commitment to Christ is not a one-time event but a daily journey. Like spending quarters from a $10,000 bill, we give our lives to Jesus in small, consistent acts of faithfulness, serving Him in the everyday moments of life. This daily commitment involves living as wise stewards of the time and resources God has given us, making the most of every opportunity to live out our faith. It is a privilege to be part of His work in the world, and we are called to embrace this journey with joy and dedication. [01:05:03]

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)

Reflection: What is one small, consistent act of faithfulness you can commit to today as part of your daily journey with Christ?

Sermon Summary

As we gather today, reflecting on the joy and spirit of Christmas, it's essential to remember that the essence of Christmas is not confined to a single day or season. The spirit of Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, is a timeless truth meant to permeate our lives every day. As we transition from the festive season into the new year, we are reminded of the shepherds who, after witnessing the miraculous birth of Christ, returned to their lives transformed, glorifying and praising God. Their encounter with the divine did not end with the Christmas story; it marked the beginning of a new reality for them, one where they were active participants in God's redemptive plan.

Similarly, Mary and Joseph's journey did not conclude with the birth of Jesus. They were entrusted with the monumental task of raising the Son of God, a responsibility that required faith, obedience, and trust in God's plan. Their story is a testament to the importance of following God's guidance and being faithful stewards of the gifts He entrusts to us.

As we move past Christmas, we are called to embrace the opportunities each day presents to live out our faith. Whether we find ourselves in times of joy or struggle, God's presence remains constant, inviting us to participate in His mission of reconciliation and redemption. Our lives, much like the shepherds and the holy family, are woven into God's grand narrative, and we are privileged to be part of His work in the world.

In the mundane and the extraordinary, we are called to make the most of every opportunity, living as wise stewards of the time and resources God has given us. Our faith is not a one-time declaration but a daily commitment to follow Christ, to serve others, and to share the good news of His love and salvation.

Key Takeaways

1. The Spirit of Christmas is Timeless: The joy and spirit of Christmas should not be packed away with the decorations. It is a year-round, every-day truth that calls us to live in the light of Christ's birth and the hope it brings to all people. [23:14]
2. Trust in God's Promises: The shepherds' story reminds us that God's word is trustworthy. Even when circumstances seem unlikely, God's promises are fulfilled in His time and way. Our response should be one of faith and obedience, trusting that His plans are for our good. [28:35]
3. Faithful Stewardship: Mary and Joseph exemplify the importance of being faithful stewards of the responsibilities God entrusts to us. Their obedience to God's law and their role in raising Jesus highlight the significance of following God's guidance in our lives. [47:33]
4. Every Day is an Opportunity: The Christian life is about making the most of every opportunity to live out our faith. Whether in the mundane or the extraordinary, we are called to be witnesses of Christ's love and truth, impacting the world around us. [60:10]
5. Daily Commitment to Christ: Our commitment to Christ is not a one-time event but a daily journey. Like spending quarters from a $10,000 bill, we give our lives to Jesus in small, consistent acts of faithfulness, serving Him in the everyday moments of life. [01:05:03]
** [65:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:14] - The Spirit of Christmas
[24:51] - The Shepherds' New Reality
[26:43] - Trusting God's Promises
[28:35] - The Shepherds' Joy
[29:32] - Privilege of Participation
[31:21] - The Church's Role
[32:03] - Life After Christmas
[45:05] - Mary's Pondering
[46:02] - Joseph's Faithfulness
[47:33] - Following God's Plan
[48:54] - Simeon's Confirmation
[50:07] - Anna's Prophecy
[51:26] - Obedience to God's Word
[52:26] - Raising Jesus
[53:43] - Personal Reflection
[55:04] - Moving Forward
[56:07] - Embracing Opportunities
[57:04] - Joy Beyond Decorations
[58:01] - The Day After Christmas
[59:09] - Making the Most of Every Day
[60:10] - Living on Mission
[61:38] - Everyday Faithfulness
[62:56] - Witnessing in the Mundane
[63:57] - Daily Commitment
[65:03] - Giving Our Lives to Jesus
[66:15] - Consistent Witness
[67:48] - Closing Prayer

Sermon Clips

If God says it, even when you can't see it ahead of time, even when you don't see any way for it to happen, if God says it, it's going to happen the way God says it's going to happen. And the sooner we can learn to trust God on this, to take God at His Word, even when we can't believe what He's saying, we can't say it first. [00:28:15] (21 seconds)

We take it so much for granted that following God's way and following his teachings and being part of God's church just doesn't have the priority it ought to have for us in our lives. And so we need to be brought back to this place of awe in the fact that God has allowed us to be participants in his plan to redeem the world. [00:30:24] (22 seconds)

And sometimes we turn it around and act like the church should feel privileged to have us. If we decide to come to your church, Pastor, wouldn't that be wonderful for you? Wouldn't that be great for your church? Now, make sure you do things the way we want you to so we'll be part of your church because you'll be privileged to have us at your church. [00:31:21] (20 seconds)

Mary and Joseph not only have the responsibility of a baby now but they have been told this is the son of God and they have to take on that responsibility to raise that baby in the same world we live in right with all the dangers with all the the temptations with all the struggles with all the challenges that come with raising a child in any day in time. [00:37:17] (26 seconds)

And then these shepherds show up at the stable and what do they say you're not going to believe this Mary and Joseph but when we walked in here and saw that baby in the manger we knew it really was an angel of God that came to us on the hillside to tell us about this baby being born and that he would be the savior of the world. [00:44:45] (22 seconds)

When the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. What are they doing? They're following God's teaching, God's example, God's plan. For how a child is supposed to be raised up under that day, the law of God. [00:48:54] (20 seconds)

God's plan is going to be accomplished through his people being obedient to his teaching. That includes us. He's invited us into that plan. That if we will listen to God and follow God's instructions and do it God's way, God's using all of that in his plan for the redemption of the world. [00:52:26] (19 seconds)

You see, here's the thing. The Christian life should never be one of just getting by and making it through one more day or one more holiday or one more activity or one more festivity. It's got to be more than that. God planned it to be more than that. To have a deeper meaning and a deeper purpose than that. [01:00:10] (18 seconds)

We all have a place to fill in that mission and there are certain people that you will have influence over and opportunity to influence that nobody else is going to have the opportunity to influence the way you can. But if you get all down in the dumps and we ought to take the decorations down and I'm just so glad it's over, how are we going to fulfill the mission like that? [01:01:38] (26 seconds)

You take all those quarters and you spend your entire life pouring yourself out for the Lord, day in and day out, a quarter here, a quarter there, a quarter there, a quarter there. There's no way you can do it all at once. It has to be done in the day-to-day, in the ordinary and the spectacular, in the mundane and in the exciting and everything in between. [01:05:03] (29 seconds)

We should never leave or forsake Jesus. Let's pray together. Father, we thank You. We thank You that we could celebrate Christmas. It's a beautiful thing to celebrate what You've done in sending Your Son Jesus here. We thank You for Mary and Joseph and their faithfulness. We thank You for the shepherds and their willingness to spread the Good News after they saw the child. [01:07:48] (23 seconds)

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