Finding True Peace and Contentment This Christmas

During the "Limitless Sunday Service," the sermon focused on the true essence of Christmas and the importance of finding peace and contentment in the season. The speaker, whose name is not discernible from the title, began by referencing Matthew 11:28, where Jesus invites the weary to find rest in Him. The speaker clarified that being burned out on religion is not about faith or Christianity, but rather about engaging in repetitive actions that yield no results. They encouraged listeners to live in the unforced rhythms of grace and to reject the burden of heaviness that God does not intend for them.

The sermon also addressed the distractions and busyness that often overshadow the Christmas season. The speaker reminded the congregation that Christmas is a time to be grateful for Jesus' birth, not a period of exhaustion. They drew attention to the simplicity of Jesus' birth in a manger and the need to be still and recognize God's exaltation, as stated in Psalm 46:1.

The importance of not falling prey to the enemy's lies was emphasized, with a focus on the significance of Jesus' birth as described in Luke chapter 2. The speaker encouraged the congregation to gather as a family and church to honor Jesus, praying for peace and gratitude for the provisions that enable the celebration.

The speaker introduced the series "Unboxing Christmas," likening it to the trend of unboxing new items and discussing them. They had previously explored the themes of joy and hope, with the latter focusing on suffering and perseverance leading to hope. The intention was to continue exploring these themes as Christmas approached.

The true meaning of Christmas was highlighted as focusing on Jesus Christ, rather than getting caught up in the material aspects of the celebration. The speaker warned against the enemy's attempts to distract from celebrating Jesus and urged the audience to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Contentment was presented as a source of great gain, stemming from inner confidence based on God's sufficiency. The speaker encouraged the congregation to be content with what God has given them and to focus on their relationship with Jesus rather than societal expectations.

The sermon also addressed the lies of the Christmas season, such as the need to keep up with others, which leads to comparison and envy. The speaker urged the audience to reject these lies and to focus on the true joy of the season.

The speaker emphasized the importance of acknowledging God's presence in our lives and reminded the congregation that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and God's love for all people. They also announced the introduction of kids ministry in the first service and the illumination that Jesus' birth brings to the world.

The sermon concluded with a call to reject the common mindset of being overwhelmed during the holiday season and to turn to God in prayer and thanksgiving. The speaker discussed the concept of truth, emphasizing that it is not subjective but aligns with facts and reality. They highlighted Jesus as the ultimate source of truth and encouraged believers to be sanctified in truth, which is God's word.

Key Takeaways:

- True rest and peace are found in Jesus, who invites the weary to come to Him and learn from Him. This invitation is a call to step away from the fruitless rituals of religion and embrace a life of grace, where burdens are lifted, and rest is found in His presence. [01:15:48]

- The Christmas season is a reminder to focus on gratitude for Jesus' humble birth and to resist the cultural push towards busyness and distraction. By being still and recognizing that God is exalted, we can experience the true joy and peace that the season is meant to bring. [01:19:09]

- Acknowledging and honoring Jesus during Christmas is essential. The birth of Jesus is a pivotal event that brought peace on Earth and glory to God. As believers, gathering to celebrate this truth strengthens our faith and brings us closer to the heart of the Christmas message. [01:29:55]

- Contentment is a powerful expression of faith, rooted in the understanding of God's sufficiency. During Christmas, believers are called to find contentment in their relationship with Jesus, rather than in the fulfillment of societal expectations or material possessions. [01:06:02]

- The truth of Jesus' identity as the way, the truth, and the life is the foundation upon which believers can stand against the lies of the world. In a society where truth is often distorted, holding fast to Jesus and God's word provides clarity and freedom from deception. [55:01]

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. **Matthew 11:28** - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
2. **Psalm 46:10** - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
3. **Luke 2:11-14** - "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 11:28, what does Jesus offer to those who are weary and burdened?
2. In Psalm 46:10, what are we instructed to do, and what is the reason given for this instruction?
3. How does Luke 2:11-14 describe the significance of Jesus' birth and the reaction of the heavenly host?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to find rest in Jesus as described in Matthew 11:28? How does this rest differ from physical rest? [15:48]
2. How can being still and recognizing God's exaltation, as mentioned in Psalm 46:10, change our perspective during the busy Christmas season? [19:09]
3. Why is it important to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, as highlighted in Luke 2:11-14, rather than getting caught up in material aspects? [29:55]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current state of mind. Are you feeling weary or burdened? How can you practically respond to Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him this week? [15:48]
2. What are some specific ways you can be still and acknowledge God's presence in your life during this Christmas season? How can this practice help you experience peace and contentment? [19:09]
3. Think about the distractions and busyness that often accompany the Christmas season. What steps can you take to minimize these distractions and focus on the true meaning of Christmas? [19:09]
4. How can you cultivate a sense of contentment based on God's sufficiency rather than societal expectations or material possessions? Identify one area in your life where you can practice contentment this week. [06:02]
5. The sermon mentioned the lies of the Christmas season, such as the need to keep up with others. Have you found yourself comparing your Christmas celebrations to others? How can you shift your focus to gratitude and joy in what you have? [03:48]
6. How can you involve your family in honoring Jesus during Christmas? What are some traditions or practices you can start or continue to keep the focus on Jesus' birth? [29:55]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of truth and rejecting the lies of the world. How can you hold fast to the truth of Jesus' identity and God's word in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are not swayed by societal lies? [55:01]

Day 1: Embracing Grace-Filled Rest
True rest is not found in the cessation of activity but in the presence of Jesus. He offers an invitation to lay down the burdens of life and find solace in His grace. This rest is a gift, not earned by works but received through faith, allowing one to experience the unforced rhythms of grace. [01:15:48]

Hebrews 4:9-10 - "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their own work, just as God did from his."
Reflection: How can you practice entering into God's rest this week, setting aside your own efforts and trusting in His grace?

Day 2: Stillness Amidst the Season
The Christmas season calls for a stillness that allows recognition of God's majesty. In the simplicity of Jesus' birth, there is a profound message of peace and exaltation. This season, one is invited to step away from the chaos and find tranquility in the truth that God is sovereign and present. [01:19:09]

Isaiah 30:15 - "This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'"
Reflection: What are some ways you can cultivate stillness in your life during the busy Christmas season to focus on God's sovereignty?

Day 3: Celebrating the Heart of Christmas
Honoring the birth of Jesus is at the heart of Christmas. It is a time to reflect on the peace and goodwill He brought to earth. Gathering with family and church to celebrate this momentous event strengthens faith and brings us closer to the true spirit of the season. [01:29:55]

Luke 2:19 - "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
Reflection: How can you create meaningful traditions this Christmas that center around celebrating and reflecting on the birth of Jesus?

Day 4: Contentment in Christ Alone
Contentment is found not in the abundance of possessions but in the sufficiency of God's grace. This Christmas, one is encouraged to find joy in their relationship with Jesus, embracing the confidence that comes from His provision and love, rather than succumbing to the pressures of materialism. [01:06:02]

1 Timothy 6:6-7 - "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice contentment this week, focusing on the blessings you have in Christ rather than what the world says you need?

Day 5: Standing Firm in Truth
In a world where truth is often subjective, Jesus stands as the ultimate source of truth. Believers are called to be sanctified by this truth, which is found in God's word. Clinging to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life provides a firm foundation against the deception of the world. [55:01]

Ephesians 4:14-15 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to deepen your understanding of God's truth and apply it to your life?

[Applause]

Amen. Good morning, church! Merry Christmas!

Why don't you say hi to someone next to you? Do the Limitless Shuffle, go around, say hi to somebody, hug those you know, maybe fist bump those you may not know.

Good morning, good morning, Adriana!

If you are seated on the ends, if you guys could tighten up and shift toward the middle so our seats on the ends are free for those who may come in later in service, that would be really helpful for our ushers. So people don't have to like, "Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me," while they're getting a seat. If you do have a seat next to you and you can scoot in, that'd be great.

So it's my pleasure just to welcome you again. I know Pastor Keenan and Pastor Sonia did that in the beginning, but we're so happy that you're here. Do we have any first-time guests in the building with us today? Yes, a couple hands up! Let's welcome our first-time guests! We're so happy that you chose to be with us today. It's not an accident that you are here, and we pray that the Lord just blesses you through the service today.

Um, just a few housekeeping items. Everybody has a cell phone, right? So if you have one and the ringer is on, can you please turn it off? Our lovely worship director, Adriana, has incredible music for the service, and we want to make sure we hear that, not cell phones going off.

And the other thing, our children are joining us today, so that's always incredible for a family service. And then if you do bring in snacks or coffee or anything like that, just be sure to take your trash with you on the way out so we can just keep our worship center clean.

We're so thankful that you're here, and we're going to have an amazing service. Go ahead and turn your attention to the screens for our announcements.

Hey, I'm Pastor Ryan, and these are your weekly announcements.

So December 24th, we have our Christmas Eve service. It's at regular Sunday morning times, 9:00 and 11:00 right here. We're going to be doing communion and worship and having a short message around Christmas, so please join us. Bring your family, invite your neighbors. This is a great time to invite people to the house of God.

Again, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. regular Sunday morning services. But December 31st, we do not have any service that day, so don't come here. If you show up, you'll be the only one here by yourself, so don't be here December 31st. No service that day. Be with your family, enjoy ringing in the new year with your family.

And then our big announcement that we're very excited about: starting January 7th at 9:00 a.m., we're going to be having kids ministry in the first service! I know we're excited! I know we're looking forward to that. All of you first service people that bring your kids, we're going to have something for your children. And all the second service people, we pack our kids in there. Now you can start coming to the first service because we have a ministry for your children in the first service.

So again, we're excited about that, looking forward to taking advantage of that. Love you guys! Can't wait to see you soon. I'm Pastor Ryan, and those were your weekly announcements.

Picture this: it's a cold winter's night, snow is gently falling, darkness surrounds you, and you struggle to see. Everything is obscure, every direction meaningless. But suddenly, light! The night Jesus was born.

They tell us that a light appeared in the sky, a light that not even the greatest of astronomers could identify. A light so bright that even darkness had to flee. A light so powerful that even the worst of what we had done was not only exposed; it was cleansed, forgiven, and forgotten.

You see, this is why Jesus came to Earth—to give us that light so that we would have the same joy and the same love and the same light everywhere we go. And the best news is this: this is a light meant for all. It is freely offered.

You see, Christmas is more than the warmth of friends and family, more than nostalgia, the gifts, and memories. It is about the greatest gift ever given because a world in darkness has not only seen a great light; no, we have seen the greatest light, and his name is Jesus! Come on!

[Applause]

Somebody!

Well, good morning, church! How are we doing this morning? Good, good, good, good!

Well, again, I am excited, as they said, to announce that on January 7th, we will be starting kids ministry in our first service. We're excited about that!

If you have noticed, it's a little tight in here, but we do have a first service. And if the reason you may have said, "You know, I can't—I would come to first service, but there's no kids ministry," well guess what? We have kids ministry now! So we invite you and welcome you to come join us in our first service as well.

Also, if you are a child here in kindergarten, preschool to fifth grade, and you do not have one of these, please raise your hand. We want to make sure you get them. Parents, you will thank me, so you want to make sure and check that your kid has one.

Are there any kids? Raise them up high so that we can run around and get them to you.

Anybody do not have one of these?

All right, everybody have one? Going once, going twice. Oh, Miss P, you don't get one! All right, cool!

All right, okay!

Are we ready to dive into the word this morning? Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you! Thank you for this opportunity that we have to hear from you. This is the day that you have made, and so we make a choice, we make a decisive decision to rejoice and to be glad as we're here.

God, we ask that you would speak to our hearts. God, that we would not only hear the words that are being spoken, but we would hear what you're saying individually to each and every one of us.

God, your word is already anointed, so would you anoint our ears to hear what you're saying? Would you anoint our hearts to receive what you're saying, that our hearts would be good ground and the word would produce good fruit?

In Jesus' name we pray, amen, amen, amen!

As we jump into this series, we're continuing our series "Unboxing Christmas."

For those of you who have no idea, maybe this is your first time and you have no idea what unboxing is, we talked the past couple of weeks that unboxing is a thing where you buy something of high value, something really neat, maybe something unique, and instead of you enjoying it on your own, we don't do that anymore.

Now we take that thing, we turn a video camera on, and we stream yourself opening this gift or this thing or whatever it is. And when you open it, you talk about the things that are inside, and you show all of the unique factors. This process is called unboxing.

So you'll hear somebody say, "I'm doing an unboxing of a pair of shoes," or "I'm doing an unboxing of this particular gift," and that process is called unboxing.

So, okay, the first week, a couple of weeks back, we talked about unboxing joy, right? And we talked about the difference between joy and happiness, and we dove in on that. Last week, we talked about unboxing hope.

Okay, Pastor Ryan did a wonderful message about how hope includes suffering, and there are things that we have to walk through. There's a process that gets us to hope, which includes suffering, which includes perseverance and endurance that brings us to hope.

And this week, I want to continue that. I want to take this week and next week and kind of get a little closer to the—since we're getting closer to the Christmas season, I wanted to get a little closer to the Christmas story and kind of explain why Christmas is a big deal to Christians today.

The thing that I would like to unbox is truth. Today, we're going to be unboxing the truth of Christmas.

Now, in society, this word truth has been misused, it's been misconstrued, it's been taken, it's been twisted, it's been abused to the point when someone says the word truth, there's automatically something that goes off in your mind that says there's a chance that this might not be the truth.

People will say, "Oh, it's true to me," right? They'll say truth is subjective, or they'll say, "This is my truth," when in reality, none of those things are true. In fact, it is not truth; it is a lie.

It is a lie! But we live in a world that loves lies. We live in a world that thrives on lies. We live in a world that seeks and even prefers the lie. There are people who wake up every day, and their whole job is to fabricate lies and get people to believe and perpetuate those lies.

And there are some big lies that surround Christmas, and I want to bring truth to those lies today.

But before we unbox those lies, let's talk about what truth is. I went on ChatGPT and asked my genie, "What is the definition of truth?" And ChatGPT gave me this response: "Truth is that which is in line with fact or reality."

Okay, that which is in line with fact or reality. There's a problem with this. The problem with the world is that their truth is a moving target because they'll keep changing the facts. They change the facts to fit their narrative.

And so if they change the facts, then they're changing what is true. So if the facts are changed and the truth is changed, then how do we know what the truth really is? How do we find the truth?

As believers, how do we identify the truth? You guys are a wonderful congregation; I'm glad you asked that question!

John 14:6 says, Jesus is talking to the disciples here, and he says in verse 6, "I am the way and the truth and the life." He says, "I am the way, I am the truth, I am the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 17, a couple of pages over, John 17:17, Jesus is actually praying here. He's praying right before he's about to be betrayed and arrested, and he's praying to God about us. And in verse 17, he says something here: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

Okay, go back one page to chapter 16, John 16:13. Verse 13 says, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

So right here from these three depictions here in John, we see that truth is an aspect of God's character. We see that truth is a characteristic of his word, and we see that truth is a byproduct of living with the Holy Spirit.

It's a byproduct of having the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Jesus says he is the truth. His prayer was for us to be sanctified in truth. Then he went to identify God's word as the truth. Then he said we can know the truth through the Holy Spirit's guidance.

As believers, it is important that we know the truth. It is important that we know where the truth can be found and how to identify the truth.

Why is it important? It is important because this world purports lies like nobody's business. There's such a big portion of what you're seeing that is not the truth; it is a lie. And if you're not careful, you will begin defending the lie. You will begin believing the lie. You will begin righteously arguing with people about the lie because you have been fooled into thinking that it is the truth.

It tells us right here how we know the truth, how we can identify it, how we can find out if it is the truth.

So now that we talked about what truth is, we've talked about how to find it, where to identify it, now let's get back to exposing these lies.

And I feel like it's important to expose these lies and to bring these lies to light so that you no longer have to be in bondage to these lies. And anytime these lies present to you, you can respond with the truth.

There is something powerful that happens when you know the truth. You move differently when you know the truth. Lies have no effect on you; it has no sway on you when you know the truth.

John 8:32 says, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

I watch movies. My wife is not a fan of the movies I watch, but I watch them anyway. One show that I like to watch is NCIS: LA. Okay, I'm a 90s kid; NCIS was cool to me. It's just me, okay?

So I watched NCIS. There was another show that I used to watch that was just regular NCIS. I like the shows with the officers and the police and the people getting arrested. They start investigating them. Oddly enough, I don't like the real version; my wife loves the real version. I don't like that; I like the fake stuff, okay?

I don't want to be in people's lives like that, but I've been watching this for a long time. And the thing that I like is when they get the guy in the investigation room, right? Because you never know what's going to happen when they get in there.

But what I notice is the officers move a lot differently when they know the truth versus when they don't. Right? So when you get somebody in there and they don't have them dead to rights, they don't have anything to hold them, when they come in, they'll come in like it's a restaurant. "Hey, do you want some water? You want some coffee? Just tell me what happened. I'm here to help you. I can only help you if you tell me what happened. You know, you got to work with me here. I want whatever you want, but you got to help."

That's when they don't know the truth. And in the story, they have to try to figure out what the person is telling them, if that is in fact the truth.

But it's different when they already come in knowing the truth. When they come in knowing the truth, they're not offering them water; they're not offering them coffee. They say, "Look, you can tell me or you're going to jail, one or the other, because I already know what happened. Such and such already told. We got you dead to rights; that's going to get you 20 to 30 years, so you decide what you want to do."

They move differently when they already know the truth. They don't have to worry about what's being said to them or how what's happening. And there are times that when you already know the truth, when you already know it within yourself, when a lie is told, it immediately exposes itself.

Not only does the lie expose itself, but it also exposes its motive. Why are you lying? But those things can only happen when you know the truth.

We as believers are to stand on the truth. We are to be people who uphold the truth. "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Now, parents, I can see some of y'all are a little tight right now. I see your face. Don't worry; I will not be ruining Christmas for you and your kids this year. Don't come and see me next year! This year, I will not be ruining Christmas for you.

However, this season has adopted some lies that need to be talked about, that need to be exposed, and truth brought to. So I want to dive into the lies of the Christmas season.

Okay, everybody ready?

All right, the first lie of the Christmas season is this: you must keep up with everyone else around you.

This is not the average Christmas message; you didn't come to the average church.

Okay, the first lie that is being purported is that you must keep up with everyone else around you. In this season, more than any other time, you are being bombarded with images. You are being bombarded with commercials and stories and social media and conversations about what everyone else is doing, where they're going, what they're buying.

Inevitably, we begin to compare ourselves. It just happens. We begin to compare ourselves with that person or what this person is buying or what their family is doing for Christmas, and inevitably, it leads you down a path of envy.

It leads you down a path of ingratitude, sadness, depression, opening the door for discontentment, and even placing unfair expectations on yourself and those around you.

Do not accept this lie! Do not accept this lie because this is where the enemy begins his distraction. Because the goal is to get your eyes and your heart off of the true reason for the season and onto the things that you do in the season.

This is his goal; this is his thing. It's not obvious; it's subtle. If I could just get you to focus on what they're doing, if I could just get you to focus on their vacation, if I could just get you to focus on what somebody else is doing.

Theodore Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy."

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:12, "Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves, but when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding."

Another version says they show how much of a fool they are. When you compare yourselves or measure yourselves by one another, compare yourselves with one another, they are without understanding.

1 Timothy 6:6 says, "Godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment."

Contentment—that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God. Godliness with contentment is great gain, not this idea of "I need to have," but it's this idea of "I have enough."

What God has given me is enough. What God has blessed me with is enough. I have enough. I am content in what God has done and what God is doing and what I have. I'm content.

And it says that contentment comes from a confidence based on the sufficiency of God.

So guess what? If you don't have a crazy spread at the dinner table, if the decorations don't come out like you saw on Instagram, if you didn't get to do that winter vacation that you really wanted to do like that other family, it's okay!

And you are not less than or missing out because you didn't get to do all of the things. Do not believe the lie! Do not believe the lie and have the very joy of Christmas stolen from you.

This season is to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It is not to celebrate the celebrating of the birth of our Savior.

The lie of this season is that you must keep up with everyone else around you, but the truth is that Jesus came on this Earth to show us that the only thing that we should be keeping up with is our relationship with him.

They had a whole series, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," and I remember from the very first episode, as soon as the credits rolled, that I, in fact, could not keep up with the Kardashians. I'm not keeping up with them! They opened with a mansion! Right after the credits, I was like, "Nope, that's not me," and I'm not going to keep pouring into this so that I can try to keep up with a fake image that has been produced.

Man, I wish y'all got that! So much of what you're seeing isn't even real! So much of what you're seeing isn't even real! The thing that person—the idea even in your mind that you're comparing yourself to isn't even real! It does not exist!

And yet you put pressure on yourself and those around you to reach something that is fake. Don't believe the lie!

I was born and raised in Atlanta; a lot of you know this. And at the time, right before I left, there was a show called "Real Housewives of Atlanta." How many remember that? Wait, don't raise your hand; I don't want you to get in trouble! Don't raise your hand! Never mind!

So they had this show, "Real Housewives of Atlanta," and people would watch it because it was the first one, and everyone was so enthralled with the storyline and what was going on, and it was perceived as what? Reality TV!

And so because the show is filmed in Atlanta, I'm often in places in downtown Atlanta and then Buckhead and all these areas, and you would see them filming the show, the real reality show.

And you would hear the signs, and you would hear them yell, "Rolling, rolling!" And you would see the people walk out, and you would see them have the conversation, and you would see the altercation begin. And then you would hear them yell, "Cut!"

And they would pull them to the side, "We didn't like the way you said that. Maybe you could call her something else. You got anything else you could call her? Maybe you should talk about her hair, her shoes. Are you okay with that?" "Yeah, I'm fine." "Okay, let's talk about our shoes this time because we think that..."

But this is supposed to be reality TV, and 100% of it is scripted! 100%!

But we will think that it's real, and now we want to drive like them, we want to ride like them, we want to buy the things that they're promoting to us, and we want to be like these things, and it's not even real!

But that's why you need to know where the truth is and not believe the lie.

The second lie of the Christmas season is this: this is the time and season when it's okay to be tired and exhausted and frantic.

This is the second lie of the Christmas season. Now, more than any time ever, you will ask yourself—you ask people, you will ask those around you how you're doing, and the main response will be, "Oh, I'm busy! I am busy, busy, busy!"

Or if they don't say busy, "I am tired! I am so tired! I am exhausted from all of the things!"

And when you ask them that, they're not saying it as if it's a bad thing; they're saying it as if it's a badge of honor that they're wearing to let you know that they're doing the things and they're making the things happen.

As if it's okay! And then they say, "Because of the season." They say, "Oh, well, you know, this is the season. Everything's so... so once the season is over, you know, I'll be all right," as if it's the season's fault that you're tired and exhausted and frantic.

As if it's an accepted way of living! It's okay to be overwhelmed with your to-do list! It's okay to be frantic with all of the plans and the appearances! It's okay to be exhausted from trying to do all of the things!

No! God forbid! God forbid! That is not God's intention! And I challenge you not to accept the lie!

Yeah, I challenge you not to accept the lie or begin walking in the lie! This is not what God has intended for any season of our life, let alone the season that's supposed to be dedicated to the birth of Jesus! That makes no sense!

The season that's dedicated to him is the season that it's okay for us to be running around like a chicken with our head cut off? It's okay for us to be anxious about everything—the family and the food and the gifts and did I get enough gifts and did I get the right gifts and does it look good and did the picture come out and did I take the picture and did we do the picture for the card and did I get the family together?

And it's okay because of the season?

Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything, every circumstance and situation, by prayer and petition, with what? Thanksgiving!"

Oh, we're going back to Thanksgiving, going back to gratefulness, going back to contentment, going back to, "God, I just want to be thankful for where I'm at, for what you've given me."

He says, "Don't be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, continue to make your specific requests known to God."

Stop worrying about the things! Don't worry about the things! He says, "Instead, pray! Instead, have Thanksgiving! Give thanks!"

And as a result of that, verse 7 says, "And the peace of God, that peace which reassures the heart, that peace which transcends all understanding, that peace which stands guard over your heart and mind in Christ Jesus is yours."

He says that peace is yours! That's my desire for you! It's not my desire that you're running around crazy! It's not my desire that you're exhausted! It's not my desire that you don't have peace!

Matthew 11:28—I normally don't read the Message version, but this one I had to read. Verse 28 says, "Are you tired?" Right there, I was done! I was like, "Yep, there it is! This is it right here! That's everybody!"

"Are you tired? Are you worn out? Here's the next one: are you burned out on religion?"

And here's the thing: a lot of you may think that when we say this word "religion," that we're talking about the faith or the body of Christians or whatever faith. No! This term "religion" actually means the things that you have done repetitively that have been passed down.

"Are you burned out on doing the same thing over and over and over again and it producing no results? Are you burned out?"

Jesus says, "Come to me! He says, 'Get away with me, and get this: you will recover your life!'"

Some of you have been running so hard for so long in this season that you've lost your life!

Yeah, you're not even doing the things that once gave you peace! You're not even—you—it's just so much going on that you've lost your life!

But Jesus says, "Come! Get away with me, and you'll recover your life! He says, 'I'll show you how to take a real rest!'"

Because you lay down, and as soon as you lay down, your mind begins racing about all the things! As soon as you lay down, you start running through every single thing and how to plan everything, how to process everything, all the conversations, all the things you need to fix, your calendar, your schedule, all the things!

He says, "No! Come and get away with me! Recover your life! I will show you how to take a real rest! He says, 'Walk with me, work with me, watch how I do it!'"

And this is my favorite part: "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." That's where I want my life to be! I want to be walking in the unforced rhythms of grace!

Amen!

He says, "I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. He says, 'Keep company with me, and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.'"

How long will you think that it's okay to walk around heavy? How long are you going to be okay with walking around heavy when that is not what God has intended for you to be?

And how dare you say it's okay because it's the Christmas season? For some reason, we have accepted the role of Martha in the very season where we should be Mary!

We aren't sitting and recognizing God and acknowledging God and being grateful for his birth, being grateful for who he is. Instead, we're busy trying to get all the things done!

We're busy trying to fix the food and get the plate together! We're busy trying to make sure it's picture-perfect and hang the lights! And we're busy trying to do all of the things!

And as Martha, when we should be Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus in the season that's supposed to be about him anyway!

The second lie of the season is that this is the time when it's okay to be tired, exhausted, and frantic. But the truth is there is never a season where it's okay for you to live tired, exhausted, and frantic!

The Christmas season is about a Savior born—not born nicely in a nicely decorated and well-lit and fully stocked mansion, but in a manger in a stable in the back of a barn—to remind us that it has never been about the season's to-do list.

It is about the day when God came and dwelt among us and changed eternity forever! This is what it's about!

Psalms 46:1 sums this up perfectly: "Be still!" Right there! Be still!

When was the last time that you were still? When was the last time that you were still?

Be still and know! Recognize, understand that I am God!

I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth!

Whenever my boys are running around like they're crazy—which is normally all the time—and I need their attention, oftentimes I have to grab them. I gotta, hey, lightly, gently, because I know y'all, so I gently be getting a phone call.

"Dad, I..." I gently grab them and I say, "Hey guys, be still! Be still!"

What am I saying? Pay attention to what I'm about to tell you! Don't be distracted! Focus on what I am saying! What I'm about to say is important, so I need you to pay attention!

I'm saying, "Be still!" What God is saying to us is, "Be still!"

Then he says, "Be still and know!" Know!

When was the last time you were still?

Then last but not least, the third lie of the Christmas season—this one is for our kids that are here today—but parents, I'mma get in your business too.

But this one is mostly for our kids. The third lie of the Christmas season is this: Christmas is about the decorations and the food and the gifts.

Every kid is nudging; every parent is nudging their kid right now. Pay attention! Pay attention! You hear it? You pay attention! You ain't been listening the whole time; now pay attention!

Be still and pay attention!

All right, here we go! The third lie of the Christmas season is that Christmas is about the decorations and the food and the gifts.

Now, please understand, during this time, it's easy for us to get caught up in the fun of Christmas, and we should have fun! But we should never forgo who we're celebrating for how we're celebrating!

Okay? This season is really about the birth of Jesus Christ! It is a wonderful story that took place in a not-so-wonderful time. It is a story about God's love being manifested throughout all people.

Yes, we put a star on a tree, but we put that star to remind us that it is in reference to the star that guided the shepherds to Jesus's birth.

Yes, we hang lights and we eat and we spend time with our family, but we do that to remember the family that was plus one that night and that changed the course of history in our favor forever.

Yes, we receive gifts, and gifts are wonderful, but the gifts that we receive are just a representation of the ultimate gift that we receive through Jesus Christ, and that is the gift of salvation!

So parents, if the presents don't all get wrapped, it's okay! Dads, if the food doesn't turn out exactly how you want it and the table doesn't sit exactly how you want it, it's okay!

It's okay! Kids, if you don't get to go and do everything that you wanted to do and you don't get the gifts and the presents that you wanted, it's okay!

Because we all need to be reminded that these are actually the lies that the world has told us that matter on Christmas.

But the truth is the only thing that matters, that we should be focused on in this Christmas season, is Christ! He is the only thing that matters!

Imagine having the most important birthday in the world and nobody actually making it about you! Imagine that!

Imagine people telling you how much they're going to celebrate your birthday and all the amazing things that they're going to do. They're going to have fireworks, and there's going to be a spread like none other, that they're going to bring their whole family together, and they're going to decorate, and there's lights and there's all of these things, and none of it has anything to do with you!

Imagine the world celebrating your birthday, and you not even being invited!

This is what the enemy does—to get us celebrating the celebration of the Savior but not actually celebrating the Savior!

Because the enemy is not just going to sit there and be like, "You know what? I try to kill y'all 364 days, but this day I'm just going to let y'all have that one. I'm just going to let y'all enjoy that. Y'all want to celebrate Jesus on this day? I'm just going to let you do that."

You really think that that's what the enemy is going to do? No! He says, "You know what? I cannot have you acknowledging Jesus on any day, so here's what I'm going to do: instead of you celebrating Jesus, I'm going to get you caught up in the celebration of celebrating Jesus so much to the point to where you don't even remember that it's about Jesus!"

And I'm going to give you every opportunity and every other excuse and idealism so that you don't recognize Jesus!

These are the lies of Christmas, and I pray and I beg you: do not fall victim to the lies! Do not fall victim to the trick of the enemy!

This is about Jesus!

Luke 2:11: "For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord, the Messiah. And this will be a sign for you by what you will recognize him: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger."

Then suddenly appeared with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts, an angelic army praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth, peace among men with whom he is well pleased!"

This is the truth of Christmas! This is why we gather as a family! This is why we gather as a church—to acknowledge Him, to honor Him, to recognize Him!

So I pray peace over you this Christmas season. I pray peace over you as you do the things. I pray that even as you're doing the things, that you take a moment to say, "Thank you, Jesus!"

You take a moment to be grateful as you prepare the table. "God, I thank you for the food that you've provided so that I may place on this table. God, I thank you for the resources so that I can get the gifts to be generous to my kids and to my family. God, I thank you that I'm able to decorate my house and have a sense of warmth and peace here.

It is only because of you that even as you're driving down the street, even as you're in the stores, that you don't accept this idea that you got to do all of the things.

"God, I thank you for the two, three, four gifts I'm able to buy, however many it is! Thank you for providing me with the job! Thank you for taking care of me! Thank you for the raise! Thank you for the resources and that I'm able to do this! Godliness with contentment is great gain!"

But most importantly, in this season, I pray that you would be still and know that He is God! That He is God!

Father, I thank you for your word. Thank you for what you continue to do as you continue to speak to us. I pray that your word has gone forward, God, and that it rests on good soil.

That as we're out and about, that you will remind us of this word, that you will remind us of this season, that you will remind us of your Son and the sacrifice that you...

"Inevitably, comparing ourselves with others during the Christmas season leads us down a path of envy, ingratitude, sadness, and depression, opening the door for discontentment and placing unfair expectations on ourselves and those around us." [01:03:02 ] (Download)

"Do not accept the lie that you must keep up with everyone else around you; this is where the enemy begins his distraction, aiming to shift your focus from the true reason for the season to the things you do in the season." [01:03:48 ] (Download)

"Godliness with contentment is great gain, not this idea of 'I need to have,' but it's this idea of 'I have enough.' What God has given me is enough; what God has blessed me with is enough. I have enough." [01:06:02 ] (Download)

"The Christmas season is about a savior born not in a nicely decorated and well-lit mansion, but in a manger in a stable, to remind us that it has never been about the season's to-do list. It is about the day when God came and dwelt among us and changed eternity forever." [01:19:56 ] (Download)

"Be still and know that I am God. It is time out for us as believers to start walking around as if we don't understand that. When we are still, we can truly recognize and understand His presence and His command over our lives." [01:22:14 ] (Download)

"Learn the unforced rhythms of Grace. That's where I want my life to be. I want to be walking in the unforced rhythms of Grace." [01:17:48 ] (Download)

"This is the truth of Christmas, this is why we gather as a family, this is why we gather as a church to acknowledge Him, to honor him, to recognize him so I pray peace over you this Christmas season." [01:29:55 ] (Download)

"We should never forgo who we're celebrating for how we're celebrating. This season is really about the birth of Jesus Christ, a wonderful story that took place in a not so wonderful time, about God's love being manifested through all people." [01:25:01 ] (Download)

"The gifts that we receive are just a representation of The Ultimate Gift that we receive through Jesus Christ, and that is the gift of Salvation." [01:26:36 ] (Download)

"Imagine having the most important birthday in the world and nobody actually making it about you." [01:27:21 ] (Download)