A Christmas Journey

The first Christmas? It was all about Jesus and His birth. And it was real.

Christmas today? It is about Santa Claus, Christmas cards, Christmas trees and Christmas lights. Sadly, it is artificial.

A Christmas Journey is an attempt to take you once again through the dusty road to Bethlehem. There you will meet Jesus. It'll be your best Christmas ever!

1 Jesus We cannot start a journey of Christmas without understanding the significance of the name Jesus. 2 Bethlehem Let us open our hearts and homes to be ``Bethlehems'' where the bread of life will provide us with food in plenty. 3 Immanuel The glory from heaven came down. It inhabited a house of dust of which we are made. They called Him, ``Immanuel!'' 4 Smallness Big things are given first choice by men but God often chooses the small things. Christmas, therefore, is a celebration of God's choice of small things and ``small'' people. 5 Nothing is Impossible ... and Mary completes the dialogue saying, ``I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said.'' Maybe, it was the simplest and yet the most profound of all Acceptance Speeches ever! 6 The Star Be a shining star today which leads others to Christ. 7 The Wise Men Who wants to meet an earthly king after having met the Heavenly King? 8 The Theme of Light Christmas stars, candle lights, serial lights and many other decorative lights are a feast to the eyes during Christmas season. What makes them so special? 9 His Genealogy Gospel of Matthew begins with a long list of names. Why would God ever want His Gospel to begin in this fashion? 10 The King One of the unmistakable thoughts of Christmas is that Jesus is King! And the most disturbing of all questions that Christmas brings us is: ``Who is our king anyway?'' 11 His Humility Jesus gave up all His glory in heaven to be born a child on earth. 12 No Room Luke 2:7 NIV--``because there was no room for them in the inn.'' Has He any room today? We have Him in our hearts all right! But how much room does He have? 13 A Christmas Anthem Rejoice, O ye Earth rejoice ... 14 Dreams We cannot escape the subject of dreams as we deal with the Christmas story in the first two chapters of Matthew. 15 Not Before As soon as he saw Jesus, Simeon praised God. He said, ``You now dismiss your servant in peace.'' Oh, he was ready to die. For he had seen God's salvation.

16 A Sword ``And a sword will pierce your own soul too'' (Luke 2:35b NIV). The shadow of the cross was real even during the first Christmas. Simeon saw it. He told Mary about it. 17 The Voice in the Desert As the world runs after signs and miracles, let us reevaluate our priorities this Christmas. People come to believe in Jesus when they find that what we said about Him is true. Can we do that faithfully this Christmas. Then many will believe in Jesus! 18 The Holy Spirit We cannot forget the Spirit of God during Christmas. Without the Spirit of God no Christmas is possible! 19 Let Us Go to Bethlehem and See Shall we go and meet our Savior now. That we may return glorifying and praising God. 20 A Sign What a sign has God given us! 21 The Gift of God's Son For once, let us light up God's heart with joy by being thankful for His Gift. 22 Wonderful Counselor Maybe God will still help. If only we humble ourselves and seek His counsel. Therefore let us seek His counsel earnestly now. And may this Christmas help us to know Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor. 23 Mighty God Let this Christmas bring thoughts of Jesus as Mighty God. 24 Everlasting Father He is your Everlasting Father! 25 Prince of Peace No one else on earth promised peace to his followers. 26 The Word Became Flesh This is Christmas; when you and me touch this Word who became flesh! 27 Do not be Afraid God is there with you when changes are happening in your lives. 28 Good News of Great Joy There are lots of news in the world. And there are many forms of media and many journalists. The question is what news have they got to communicate? 29 More Privileged than Angels Today, angels do not have the ministry of announcing good news. It is given to you. 30 The Unrecognized Jesus When Jesus came to this world only few recognized Him as the Son of God. The Bible says: ``He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him'' (John 1:10 NIV). Therefore Christmas is also the story of the unrecognized Jesus. 31 The Fullness of Grace Grace is God showing His favor and mercy to man unconditionally.