2010.12.19 christmas traditions -celebration

Christmas Traditions

Celebration

Luke 2: 8 “That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.

9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened,

10but the angel reassured them. ‘Don't be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!

12And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!’ 13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God:

14‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.’

15When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

16They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

18All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.

20The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.”

Matthew 12:18 "Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public.

20He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory.

21And his name will be the hope of all the world.”

4 Ways to Celebrate My Hope this Christmas…

Have a time to focus on Jesus.

Luke 2:16 “They (the shepherds) ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.”


John 1:10 “He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.


12But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.


13They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”



Open my eyes to those hurting around me.

Philippians 2:3 “Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.


4Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.


5Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.”


Proverbs 14:21 “It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor - what a blessing!”



Put together a broken relationship.

Matthew 5:23 “So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,


24leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”


Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.


Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to be at peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.


Colossians 3:12 “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.


13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”



Enjoy God’s blessings.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.


17And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”


1 Thessalonians 5:18 “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

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2010.12.19 christmas traditions -celebration