THE COLORS OF CHRISTMAS:
RED, GREEN & BLUE
There are times when Christmas doesn’t go
according to plan.
There are times when you know what the script ought
to be but somebody or something changes the lines
on us.
There are times when Christmas doesn’t seem as cheerful and upbeat as we
had hoped it would be:
a loved one dies, family or friends move away,
we struggle with divorce,
we lose our jobs, we may face cancer
or some other overwhelming disease.
What had promised to be a Christmas filled with fun and pleasure suddenly becomes a “Blue Christmas”.
Sometimes at Christmas we are filled with sorrows
Sometimes at Christmas we are filled with anxiety
Sometimes at Christmas we are filled with disappointment
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the
falling and rising of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the
thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
(Luke 2:34-35 – New International Version)
CHRISTMAS CHANGES EVERYTHING!
Holy night, starry sky, we were dead until tonight
Christmas changes everything
Long lay the world inside our sin, He has come here to
forgiveChristmas changes
everything
Hallelujah, love has found us – hope in a manger our Savior is setting us free
This is rescue, Christ has come to make us new, oh
Christmas changes everything
Now God has met us where we are, a thrill of hope for
hopeless hearts His perfect love will shatter every fear
We’re coming back to life again, it’s all because of Bethlehem Rejoice, oh
rejoice
Hallelujah, love has found us – hope in a manger our Savior is setting us free
This is rescue, Christ has come to make us new, oh
Christmas changes everything
We fall on our knees We fall on our knees We fall on our knees
O Holy night, holy child we were dead till you came to
life
Hallelujah, you have found us – hope in a manger oh, Savior we fall on our knees
You are rescue, You are making all things
new, ohChristmas changes
everything
Yeah, Christmas changes everything
Christmas changes everything
Simeon was there and took the child in his arms, praising God. “Lord,” he said, “now I can die
content!
For I have seen him as you promised me I would.
I have seen the Savior youhave given to the world.
He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and he will
be the glory of your people Israel!”
(Luke 2:28-32 – Living Bible)
Where there is sorrow, the Christ of Christmas
brings us joy
Where there is anxiety, the Christ of Christmas
brings us peace
Where there is disappointment, the Christ
of Christmas brings us hope
An angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they
became very frightened. The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great
joy to all the people.
Today your Savior was born in the town of David.
He is Christ, the Lord. (Luke 2:9-11 – New Century Version)
Christmas is good news that brings great joy
Joy is not the ABSENCE of problems and pain,
but the PRESENCE of God’s peace and power in our lives!
CHRISTMAS EXCHANGES EVERYTHING!
The Spirit of the Lord is on me. The Lord has appointed me for a special
purpose. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to repair broken hearts, to declare to those who are
held captive and bound in prison,
“Be free from your imprisonment!” He has sent me to announce the
season of God’s favor . . . For those who
mourn it will be a time of comfort . . .
For those who grieve, God has sent me to give them a
beautiful crown in exchange for ashes,
To anoint them with gladness instead of sorrow, to wrap them in victory, joy, and praise instead of
depression and sadness.
People will call them magnificent, like great towering trees standing for what is right. They stand to the glory of the Eternal who planted
them. (Isaiah 61:1-6 – The Voice)
Because of Christmas, broken hope is renewed
Because of Christmas, broken hearts are
repaired
Because of Christmas, broken lives are restored
Because of Christmas, broken dreams are
rekindled
When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue
and stood up to read the Scriptures.
The book of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him, and he opened it
to the place where it says:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has
sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives
shall be released and the blind shall see,
that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and
that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him.” He closed the book and sat
down, while everyone in the synagogue gazed at him intently.
Then he added, “These Scriptures came true today!”
(Luke 4:16-21 – Voice)
Because of Christmas, the good news AND great joy God promised
can be oursTODAY!
Because of Christmas, the good news AND great joy God promised
can be oursTODAY!
Let’s Pray