I found a sermon that talks about a “God who gives” on sermoncentral.com. This sermon was by Brian Bill. He starts the story by having us reflect on how people do not say Merry Christmas any more. They say Happy Holiday’s instead. I agree that the Savior gets lost as people prepare for the holiday. He talks about the story of Christmas and how people only tell the story once a year. He begins his sermon with a story that is about a school in New Jersey that cancelled a field trip to go see “A Christmas Carol.” Instead of going to “a Christmas Carol” they went to a play called “Great railroad race.” Great railroad race is a play that promotes diversity. They thought it would offend some people because there would be christian themes. Cal Thomas tells us that A Christmas Carol is not a Christian show but it does talk of charity, kindness and goodwill. He then says TV shows and santa’s avoid saying the word christmas. They greet you with Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. He talks about how the story of Christmas should not just be a story that is read once a year. He says that we have heard the story so much that some people are no longer moved by the Majesty becoming man. But this story is something that people should come to with astonishment. God did not send Christ to us; God came to us in Christ. The pastor does not want us to let the story of christmas become just another story.
In Mr. Cline's class a few weeks ago. We took the day off in a way from our normal classes. Instead of continuing to read the books we were assigned and discussing them, he read us the sermon by C.S Lewis "The Weight of Glory." Its a long sermon, but one worth reading. It is about the confusion many people have on the topic of what we desire the most. He explains after much background information, that we all desire true happiness. And through that happiness, we long for heaven, our true home that we were designed for. He explains that glory is not what many people think of as being "famous" in heaven. But more that we are honored by our Lord and Father. For it to be like the scripture passage "Well done, good and faithful servant." C.S Lewis does a fantastic job at being persuasive here, and if read by the right person aloud, can have an excellent effect. He clears up lots of points that people bring up that are not true. Such as the point of glory...
I can definitely see what the pastor is talking about in regard to a decline in people saying Merry Christmas. People do not want to acknowledge that Christmas is a Christian holiday. They want Christmas and the "holiday season" to for everyone although it is really the celebration of Christ's birth. Christians also forget to celebrate Christ year round and tend to only focus on him at Christmas time. I agree with this message a lot1
ReplyDeleteI've noticed this with advertisements around the Christmas season. They always be careful not to say "Merry Christmas". Christ is often neglected during the season meant to celebrate his birth.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great point. "God did not send Christ to us, God came to us in Christ." I think it's very important for people to know the true meaning of holidays, rather than just celebrating them for fun.
ReplyDeleteI agree because I often see people taking the Christ out of Christmas these days. This can even be taken literally; Merry X-Mas.
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