Slide 1

A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS

HOW TO BEAT THE

Holiday BLUES

10. Unexpected yelling of “bah humbug”!

9. Won’t turn up the heat.

8. Stole tree from the local park.

7. Shop for gifts at the same place you buy gas.

6. Won’t turn on the Christmas lights.

How To Tell You Might Be Struggling With The Holiday

Blues

How To Tell You Might Be Struggling With The Holiday

Blues5. Making ornaments out of used tin foil.

4. Recycling last year’s gifts!

3. Xerox Christmas Cards.

2. Newsprint wrapping paper.

1. Serving TV Dinners on Christmas Day!

Slide 4

Holiday Blues – SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder)

Slide 5

RECLAIMING A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS IS THE BEST SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE HOLIDAY BLUES

Slide 6

Luke 1:67-80Luke 1:67-80

67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David

Slide 7

Luke 1:67-80Luke 1:67-8070(as he said through his holy

prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us- 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and

Slide 8

Luke 1:67-80Luke 1:67-80

to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation

Slide 9

Luke 1:67-80Luke 1:67-80

through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Slide 10

Luke 1:67-80Luke 1:67-80

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Slide 11

A Simple Christmas MeansA Simple Christmas Means

Rethinking Your Expectations.

Slide 12

Luke 1:7-22Luke 1:7-22

Everyone in the Christmas story has to surrender their expectations, but in doing so they find themselves in a position to encounter exactly what God has for them.–Zachariah–Mary –Joseph

Slide 13

A Simple Christmas MeansA Simple Christmas Means

Rethinking Your Expectations

Rethinking Your Obligations

Slide 14

Before Driving this CarBefore Driving this Car

a. Check the Oil.b. Wash the Windshield.c. Buckle up for safety.

a. Check the Oil.b. Wash the Windshield.c. Buckle up for safety.

D. Fix the Flat!!!D. Fix the Flat!!!

Slide 15

Luke 1:68-75Luke 1:68-75

Knowing the truth -- praise God.

68 "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.

Slide 16

Luke 1:68-75Luke 1:68-75

Knowing the truth -- declare truth.

69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David

Slide 17

A Simple Christmas MeansA Simple Christmas Means

Rethinking Your Expectations

Rethinking Your Obligations

Rethinking Your Celebrations

Slide 18

Luke 1:68-76Luke 1:68-76

God First69 He has raised up a horn

of salvation for us Family Second76 And you, my child, will be

called a prophet of the Most High;

Slide 19

Want to Avoid the Holiday Blues?

Slide 20

RECLAIM A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS -- THE BEST SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE

HOLIDAY BLUES.

Slide 21

A Simple Christmas MeansA Simple Christmas Means

Your primary expectation should be for what God has for you this Christmas season

Your primary Obligation is to praise God and declare His truth.

Your primary Celebration should be for the Gift God has given us this Christmas