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