Neglecting the Heart of It All
Part 3 of "How to NOT Ruin Christmas" message series
Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. – Philippians 2:1-7 (NASB)
The BIG Idea:
How will we respond to the question most will be asked in January 2025? The question is, “Did you have a nice Christmas?” What will your answer be? What defines whether we have a good Christmas? If we want to ruin Christmas, we will make it all about us and the things we really want. If we want to truly experience what Christmas is about, we must love people sacrificially.
The true heart of Christmas is sacrificial love. The heart of Christmas reminds us of the greatest act of sacrificial love – the birth of Jesus Christ. The Nativity story reminds us that true greatness is found in humility. If we want to ruin Christmas, we will make it all about us and the things we really want. If we want to truly experience what Christmas is about, we must love people sacrificially.
What defines whether we have a good Christmas?
Traditions, by their very nature, have to do with comfort and personal preference.
Nothing can covertly ruin our Christmas like a good dose of selfishness.
The Christmas story was never meant to be safe, comfortable, neat, or tidy.
ILLUSTRATION: The Nativity Scene
Every part of what makes this story so special has to do with humility.
God’s decision to come as a vulnerable baby is a testament to God’s boundless love and willingness to meet us where we are.
The Nativity story reminds us that true greatness is found in humility.
Just as God embraced humility by entering the world in a humble manger, we are called to embody humility as we follow God’s example.
If we want to ruin Christmas, we will make it all about us and the things we really want.
If we want to truly experience what Christmas is about, we must love people sacrificially.
The true heart of Christmas is sacrificial love.
The heart of Christmas reminds us of the greatest act of sacrificial love – the birth of Jesus Christ.
As we embrace sacrificial love during Christmas, we participate in the transformative power of Christ’s love.
If we want to be like Jesus, we must LOVE like Jesus.
Love, in its truest form, requires humility because it involves selflessness, compassion, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others.
Questions for Reflection:
In what ways do you try to make sure Christmas meets your needs?
In what ways is the first Nativity scene a reflection of humility?
How is the humility of the Incarnation a reflection of the love of Jesus?
When has someone humbled himself or herself to show you love?
In what ways can you humble yourself this Christmas to show unconditional and selfless love to others?
The BIG Idea:
How will we respond to the question most will be asked in January 2025? The question is, “Did you have a nice Christmas?” What will your answer be? What defines whether we have a good Christmas? If we want to ruin Christmas, we will make it all about us and the things we really want. If we want to truly experience what Christmas is about, we must love people sacrificially.
The true heart of Christmas is sacrificial love. The heart of Christmas reminds us of the greatest act of sacrificial love – the birth of Jesus Christ. The Nativity story reminds us that true greatness is found in humility. If we want to ruin Christmas, we will make it all about us and the things we really want. If we want to truly experience what Christmas is about, we must love people sacrificially.
What defines whether we have a good Christmas?
Traditions, by their very nature, have to do with comfort and personal preference.
Nothing can covertly ruin our Christmas like a good dose of selfishness.
The Christmas story was never meant to be safe, comfortable, neat, or tidy.
ILLUSTRATION: The Nativity Scene
Every part of what makes this story so special has to do with humility.
God’s decision to come as a vulnerable baby is a testament to God’s boundless love and willingness to meet us where we are.
The Nativity story reminds us that true greatness is found in humility.
Just as God embraced humility by entering the world in a humble manger, we are called to embody humility as we follow God’s example.
If we want to ruin Christmas, we will make it all about us and the things we really want.
If we want to truly experience what Christmas is about, we must love people sacrificially.
The true heart of Christmas is sacrificial love.
The heart of Christmas reminds us of the greatest act of sacrificial love – the birth of Jesus Christ.
As we embrace sacrificial love during Christmas, we participate in the transformative power of Christ’s love.
If we want to be like Jesus, we must LOVE like Jesus.
Love, in its truest form, requires humility because it involves selflessness, compassion, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others.
Questions for Reflection:
In what ways do you try to make sure Christmas meets your needs?
In what ways is the first Nativity scene a reflection of humility?
How is the humility of the Incarnation a reflection of the love of Jesus?
When has someone humbled himself or herself to show you love?
In what ways can you humble yourself this Christmas to show unconditional and selfless love to others?