Worship Fully

Spend Less

Give More

Love All

The History of Christmas:

The first after Jesus’ Birth was not the first Christmas?

The Early Church – celebrated the Resurrection more than they did the Incarnation.

The Early Century Influence of the Roman Empire

The Pagan Festival’s of Rome – Saturnalia (Dec. 17-23)

The Christian Advent Conspiracy

Matthew 2:10-13 10 When they saw the star,they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him."

Gifts of Meaning….with their future in view

GOLD – Exchange of funds for survival in Egypt.

A GIFT FOR BASIC LIVING: (plastics or principles; relationships or relics) Leaving ‘How to use money’ rather than material wealth;

Legacy rather than comfort

Symbol of nobility and royalty

Gifts of Meaning….with their future in view

FRANKINCENSE – sweet smelling incense for special occasions –

A GIFT FOR INSPIRATION: (to make lives influential; inspiring; a pleasant aroma)

Used in grain offerings at the Tabernacle

and Temple – Lev 2:2; 15-16 Used at Weddings Origen, called it “the incense of Deity”

Gifts of Meaning….with their future in view

MYRRH – Perfume; the gift of the mortal. The gift of His Humanity.

A GIFT FOR THE FUTURE WORK: (Getting people ready for LIFE MISSION)

Relationships; (Jesus’ life consisted of His death to provide us an OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP with God.) Mixed with wine it was anesthetic. Mixed with other spices, it was an ingredient for burial.

TO GIVE MORE THIS CHRISTMAS… 1. What can you give to aid someone through a crisis; to prepare a family for a trial? 2. What can you give as a gift of inspiration and influence? 3. Who can you help get ready for a future work or calling?