How we decorate for Christmas may be the most important decision of our lives.
(Luke 2:1-7) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough – because there was no room for them at the inn.
1. TODAY’S Christmas Decorations
A. The custom of decorating can be traced back to the Romans.
B. The English later adopted the custom.
C. Germans were the first ones to decorate trees.
D. Americans were first ones to use homemade ornaments.
E. Burning a Yule Log on Christmas Eve came from the Norse.
F. The most important of today’s Christmas decorations is the nativity scene.
2. ORIGINAL Christmas Decorations
(Luke 2:6) While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough – because there was no room for them at the inn.
A. Animals had to stay.
B. Make-shift nook.
C. Uncomfortably cold and damp.
D. Straw filled with bugs and spiders.
E. Unpleasant odor.
F. Lowly and humble setting.
3. REAL Christmas Decorations
A. Christmas isn’t about us; it’s about Jesus.
B. WE – are the REAL Christmas Decorations.
When we accept the finished work of Jesus by faith as a gift we cannot earn, He adopts us into his family as His son or daughter.
Galatians 4:1-7
What can we learn from looking at Simeon and Anna in the Christmas Story?
Luke 2
A Christmas music performance by the sanctuary Choir and Orchestra.
