Christmas All Year Through

December 30, 1990 AM

John 1:12

Galatians 4:1-8 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children we were in slavery to under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Last year, the day after Christmas, we sat down for dinner. The Advent Candles were lit, and after the meal we started to read and have a word of prayer. The smallest member of the family present was quick to inform us that "Christmas was over!" We didn't need to carry on with the candles any longer.

And Christmas IS over for most people, I suppose. But for us Christians should it be? ?

I. WISTFULLY WE HEAR "WHY CAN'T WE HAVE CHRISTMAS ALL YEAR?"

  1. We couldn't AFFORD to have Christmas all year!
  2. If we DID it wouldn't be special.
  3. But that special "glow" —that would be nice

II. THAT SPECIAL PART OF CHRISTMAS IS LOVE

AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WE LOVE BECAUSE OF ASSOCIATION IN FAMILY OR FAMILY OF GOD

  1. Paul sums it up in our lesson: [Lesson:] Gal 4:4 God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption [THE 'FULL RIGHTS'] of sons. God sent his Son ... That we might receive the full rights of sons ... that we might be real FAMILY with God Himself!
  2. THIS IS WHERE OUR TEXT COMES IN: This 'continuing Christmas' is for those "who receive Him Who came."

    (John 1:12) He came unto his own, and His own received Him not. but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of God, even to as many as believed on His name.

  3. ALSO, IF WE HAVE "RECEIVED JESUS", WE ARE ABLE TO KNOW THAT WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN because:

    (Galatians 4:6) God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

    Christmas is never over IF we are daily being renewed by the Holy Spirit!

III. CHRISTIANS CAN AND DO EXPERIENCE "CHRISTMAS" ALL YEAR!

  1. We can't "keep Christmas alive" in the sense that many people might understand it. And I'm thankful that Christmas comes only once a year. But we can do something about keeping the spirit of the TRUE Christmas!! [We DON'T HAVE TO BUY this best part of Christmas. It won't ruin the "special times" we all love.)
  2. Some people still don't have a clue to what they miss at Christmas! And it may well be that some people will never know unless God chooses to show them through you or me!
  3. This continuing spirit of love/Christmas has something to do with the joy of giving as well as receiving. It has to do with maturing out of babyhood and childhood, even, into full maturity in Christ.

    As sons and daughters of God: then (heirs) of God through Christ. WE MUST PRESS INTO OUR FULL INHERITANCE. (Galatians 4:6) GOD HAS MADE YOU ALSO AN HEIR.

  4. Our world cries out for sons and daughters of God to come to full maturity, and claim their full inheritance!

    THE WORD ON "MATURITY" IS NOT SIMPLY "what are my rights?" It is also "God help me to assume my responsibility!" The full word is "fellowship" or "partnership" — working with Jesus Christ in partnership with God Himself! And this the highest privilege known to men or women.

[ The "collect" of the old Book of Common Prayer for this Sunday reads:

Almighty God, who hast given us Thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; grant that we being regenerate, and made Thy children through adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by Thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. ]

This morning we talked about being ambassadors, and we are. But this is even better! We are to be ambassadors who are sons and daughters of the King Himself! The promise of our text still stands! Cooperation with the Father! His help! His love!

CONCLUSION

I mentioned being a messenger—receiving messages as from God this morning. What a joy!

It is amazing how we receive messages from the Lord if we will listen! A week ago I perceived God speaking to me in a prayer a friend of mine prayed in our kitchen.

I remember about a year ago right now during the course of a conversation with a neighbor of ours who loves Jesus. We attend very different churches. This was another case where my friend didn't know how much she helped me, but I told her how much I appreciated it.

She was asking me for help in dealing with a cult or heresy; a friend of hers was somewhat entangled. She believed I would know scriptures— and I believe I did help her. But she said, "I've been asking the Lord to forgive me for trying to play God in this person's life, (i.e., the person to whom she is witnessing.) I need to just love her AND LET GOD BE GOD!"

That was the word that reached me: LET GOD BE GOD!

If Jesus has really COME, if by His Holy Spirit, He is really here, then in whatever situation I find myself— the real, on-going truth of Christmas is: God is HERE, AND I AM HIS CHILD WITH FULL RIGHTS, and I can LET GOD BE GOD!

In many respects this is an awesome time to be alive! How can we find grace to face the challenges of life? How can a pastor speak about wisdom and grace for so many different needs?

This month a new baby came into our church family. The widow of an old preacher (Mildred Poole) died this week; I'll stand by her grave in Everette in a few days. One person I spoke with yesterday has a brother very ill because of "chemo" fighting lymphoma. One person is wrestling with depression. Another family stands at a crossroad of decision. That's the way life is.

How indeed! The answer is 'the Gift we got for Christmas!' And the LOVE of Christmas never ends! Jesus is really with us! He is Immanuel! He will give us grace, day by day. LET GOD BE GOD WHERE YOU ARE JUST NOW!

EH 86 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly "Christ the babe, was born for you."