How to Celebrate Christmas

In 1871Charles Spurgeon said, We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas… because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Saviour

While the Bible does not command us specifically to celebrate the birth of Christ, as a culture, we’ve set aside an entire month called “Christmas.” How do we rightly celebrate Jesus’ birth during this holiday season?

The entire sermon is avaialble here

Read Luke 2:1-20 (click here to read online)

The angel of the Lord declared this event to be:

• Good News of Great Joy!

So why wouldn’t we celebrate it?

If God saw fit to send an angel - and as we’ll see in a couple of verses a multitude of the heavenly host to announce something - the coming of the Messiah, 

It’s absolutely appropriate for us to celebrate it

2,000 years later - it’s still good news

No greater news has ever been proclaimed

It’s still the source of great joy

• For All the People!

Ever wonder why Christmas is so all-encompassing even everyone wants to make it about everything BUT Christ? Because from the very beginning it was to be for all the people. 

This doesn’t mean that all the people will be saved, but it does points to the universal proclamation of the gospel.

• It’s About Jesus! (vv. 11-12)

With all the “stuff” of Christmas, we need to intentionally plan to keep it about Jesus. Think through it on the front end

• The Purpose of Christmas (vv 13-14)

Glory & Peace

The whole purpose of literally everything is to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31, Psalm 96)

One of the primary ways we can glorify God in our daily lives is to point to Jesus, speak about Jesus, and obey Him.

Peace means peace with God

You can have peace with God through repenting of your sin and trusting in Jesus alone for salvation.

Don’t be someone who professes to know God, but by [your] works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work.

As we move into the Christmas season

Remember, refocus on the message of the gospel and whether or not you’re in Christ.

Click here for an explanation of what it means to repent of your sins and trust in Jesus. 

The Pattern/Example (15-21)

Follow the example of the Shepherds

They went in a hurry

And they were loud about the message.

All who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds

Be like the shepherds - everyone should know what you’re all about.

Also be like Mary, who

was treasuring all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Treasure the Christmas story

Treasure the reason for the Season

It’s absolutely ok to enjoy the “stuff” of the season as long as what you’re treasuring is Jesus Christ - who was born to die so that you might have life by trusting in Him.

Two final thoughts:

1. Use this time as a gospel reminder.

Plant in your head and heart the phrase;
Born to die that we might have life by trusting in Him

How can you use this season as an opportunity for evangelism?

Pick up some of the little “Christmas Cards” in the foyer. Attach them to a small ornament, candy cane, etc. and hand them out everywhere you go. 

2. Don’t just celebrate the incarnation one month a year. 

It’s an every day thing. Celebrate the gospel daily. 

Be intentional

Think through it

You do that for presents, decorations, travel, food, budget, vacation days, etc.

Do it for the spiritual aspect of your life as well. as well. 

Celebrate and share the gospel continually during the Christmas season and beyond.

That’s how you should celebrate Christmas

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob