Grounded in Christ: The Purpose of Christmas Traditions

See, we've all sinned. In Romans, it says that all have sinned. All throughout scripture, you see that humanity continues to mess up. And we don't even need scripture. We can just look through our history books. And even our current times, we are living in a broken world. But inside of that brokenness, there is hope. And that hope is Jesus. And so when he sees us in our sinful state, his response is not, look at what you did. His response is, that is not you. That is not you. You are not designed nor created to carry that sin. Let me take it from you. [00:35:56] (47 seconds)  #YouAreNotYourSin

None of this did we deserve it. Even now today, I can't think of on my best day, did I ever deserve the love that Jesus has shown me? We cannot earn it. However, Jesus, it says that one other part in scripture, that he counted it joy to endure the cross for you and I. It wasn't as though it was a good time for him. It wasn't that his joy was centered around the event, but it was centered around the meaning of the event. That he would die for us. That he would take away the sins of this world. [00:34:23] (38 seconds)  #GraceNotEarned

He wants to mentor them, teach them. But what? What is it that he wants to teach them? He talks about it, referring it to the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. Essentially, he wants to teach them what it means to follow him. What it means to be a Christian. What it means to love one another. What it means to, as we say so often here at CT, to love God and love people. [00:33:50] (32 seconds)  #KingdomLiving

This is why we light the different candles on the advent wreath, symbolizing the different characteristics of Jesus. And then on Christmas Eve, we light the middle candle, the white one symbolizing Christ. White as snow. See, he came to this world without sin. He never sinned. He was pure and spotless, which is why he could go to the cross to die for our sins. And this is why every Christmas we revisit that so we never forget why. [00:38:53] (33 seconds)  #ChristTheLight

We get to go around and show other people the same love that Jesus showed us. And if you're here today, and you haven't said yes to Jesus, or perhaps you feel like you've walked away from him, I would encourage you to ponder the point of the Christmas story. To think about the concept that Jesus died for you and I. [00:40:58] (27 seconds)  #SayYesToJesus

He wants to mentor them, teach them. But what? What is it that he wants to teach them? He talks about it, referring it to the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. Essentially, he wants to teach them what it means to follow him. What it means to be a Christian. What it means to love one another. [00:33:50] (23 seconds)  #LoveGodLovePeople

We revisit the scriptures that talk about Jesus being born. This is why we light the different candles on the advent wreath, symbolizing the different characteristics of Jesus. And then on Christmas Eve, we light the middle candle, the white one symbolizing Christ. White as snow. See, he came to this world without sin. He never sinned. He was pure and spotless, which is why he could go to the cross to die for our sins. And this is why every Christmas we revisit that so we never forget why. Why do we have hope? [00:38:48] (40 seconds)  #AdventHope

It has always turned out way better than I could have hoped or imagined. Because Jesus is good. And Jesus loves us. And he cares for us. And he wants good things for our lives. Because if there's any storm that we're going through, he said he's going to be with you and he's going to take something good out of it. Because he is our king, our healer, our redeemer. [00:41:40] (25 seconds)  #HopeInTheStorm