After Christmas, Then What?

 Intro:

     A.   How many have ever looked in a mirror?  Everybody?

 

     B.   There are two possible results that take place when we           look in a mirror!

          1.   Either we will stop, look, and make the necessary                changes!

          2.   Or we will glance and go on not making any

              changes!

 

     C.   James noticed this and wrote something about his

          observations in our scripture for this morning!

 

     D.   I have entitled the message, “After Christmas, Then What?

Well we really aren’t after Christmas since we are still

in the 12 days of Christmas, but let’s reflect this morning

on, “What are we going to do with Christmas? After

Christmas, then what?

 

                            Prayer

                         James 1:22-25

 

I.   How does this tie in with Christmas?

     A.   James was saying, when people look into the Word, one

          of two possible results will take place!

          1.   Some will look into the Word and let it sink into                their hearts and make the necessary changes!

          2.   Others will glance into the Word and walk away not               letting it change their lives!

     B.   The world as a whole glances into the Word at least

          once a year, and that is at Christmas time!

          1.   Let's look at what we see as we glance into the

              Word at Christmas time!

          2.   Let's ask ourselves if we are going to let God

              make the needed changes or are we going to walk

              away, forgetting what we have seen?

 

II.  What do we see as we glance into the Word at Christmas time?

     A.   We see a love for other people.

          1.   We see more acts of charity at Christmas time more               than any other time of the year!

          2.   The Salvation Army has their bell ringers out at

              the shopping places.

          3.   Churches help the less fortunate.

          4.   Individuals help other people.

          5.   Different agencies help needy families during

Christmas each year!

          6.   All because people are compelled by Love as they

              realize that some people won't have much for

              Christmas, the Love we see in the Word!

 

     B.   We see generosity!

          Even though Christmas is already a rather expensive

          time of the year, we see people digging a little deeper

          to help someone in need!

 

     C.   We see people making sacrifices!  Not only of their

          money but also of their time and talents to help

          others.

          1.   Volunteering at help organizations.

          2.   Caroling.

          3.   Wishes of good cheer.

          4.   Gathering toys for kids who might not have much

Christmas.

 

     D.   We see all these things because as we glance into the

          mirror of God's Word we see a God that did all these

          things for us, and we realize our need to do it for

          others.

 

     E.   As we glance into the Word at Christmas, we see a God

          who cared enough for us to leave the splendor of Heaven

          to be born a human.

          1.   In a stable    (Not a fancy Inn, not even a cheap                              Inn.)  Sacrifice!

          2.   To be raised a carpenter's son.

              a.   not a King's son.

              b.   not the son of a priest.

              c.   but a peasant.

          3.   To show us how to live!  As we look at Christ's

              life, we learn how to care and love people.

          4.   And to later die and make a way for us to be put

              back in relationship with God!

              a.   so we don't have to die spiritually and be

                   eternally separated from God.

              b.   but we can be justified: made just-as-if we

                   haven't sinned in God's eyes!

              c.   because of God's grace!

 

III. What is going to be the result of our looking into the Word

     this Christmas?

     A.   As we look at what God has done in the life of Christ

          are we going to let it make us into a more loving,

          caring, and generous person all year long? 

 

          Or are we going to walk away from this Christmas

          unchanged, not really caring for other people until we           glance into the Word again next Christmas?

 

     B.   As we look at what God did for us through Jesus and

          the new life God offers us because of Jesus, are we

          going to walk away from this Christmas and not let God

          make the changes that need to be made?

 

Conclusion:

     A.   After Christmas, Then What?

 

     B.   Reread James 1:22-25.

 

     C.   What will we do this Christmas?  Will we walk away

          unchanged?

 

     D.   As we encounter Christ at the table this morning, we can

give Christ our hearts and our lives!  We can commit to

Christ!  We can yield those areas of our lives where we

haven’t let Christ live and love through us!

 

     E.   As we look into the mirror this Christmas, let’s not walk

away unchanged!

 

                      Prayer of Confession

Celebration of Communion