The Adventures of Christmas Sample
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December 17th
How many of you have ever been disappointed by Christmas? Be honest; I promise you wont get coal in your stocking. You wanted a Coach purse and you got a purse with Mike Ditka’s face on it. Rather than peace on earth, you would settle for peace in the family. You’re starting to think that Santa has the right idea… visit people once a year and get in and get out as quickly as possible.
Christmas is supposed to mean that God is with us, for us. Yet Christmas can often feel Christ-less.
Every Christmas, I give a mystery tube. I never put a name on it, so no one knows who it will go to, but they know it always has something exciting in it. Last year, my middle son, Connor, got the tube for the first time. Connor was so excited. He was full of anticipation. When Connor opened it up, he discovered the tube was stuffed full of tighty whities. He threw it down, said, “That’s not a present,” and then kicked me in the shin.
Many have been disappointed by Christmas. Not everyone was excited about the first Christmas either.
Herod was about as excited as Frosty the Snowman is to visit the desert. Jesus was a threat to his throne, a threat to his status and security. If Jesus was king then he could no longer be the dictator of his own life. While Jesus started out in a manger, he wants to take up residence in your heart. Don’t keep him as a baby who we celebrate once a year, but picture him as the King we bow to every day.
Scripture
About this Plan
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The true intention behind Advent was a way of preparing one’s heart for Christmas. It was a way to create a posture like Simeon: “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him” (Luke 2:25). This devotional by Dan Stanford is designed to help us do that.
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