Our Culture

December 11, 2016
 

Old School Christmas

Our Culture

It is awesome going all out for Christmas, but in the same way that we are going back with our Christmas traditions, this series is also all about going back to the basics with Christmas itself.

Christmas is about Jesus!  Christmas is all about remembering, and celebrating the day that God said, “enough is enough, I’m bringing my people back to me.”

Luke 2:4-14
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

This week, we're talking about what Christmas should mean for our Culture.  Christmas in our culture has completely changed to an attitude of consumerism.  We all go into Christmas with expectations that are set by our culture.  As a culture, we've lost the reason for this holiday.

Jesus is the point of Christmas.

We celebrate Christmas to celebrate Jesus.

That's not what it looks like in our culture, but it should.

And do you know who we automatically blame?  We blame the American culture, but I think that blame is misplaced.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Everyone doing good things because culture tells you to really does anything for the Gospel…  Honoring Jesus because we know Him and He is worth it will do big things for the Gospel and will in turn change the culture as people turn their faith to Him.

1. We need to stand for Jesus


2. We need to 
Seek Restoration in Relationships

3. We need to Share Jesus



Communication Card
- I am going to choose to focus on Jesus this Christmas season
- I am going to be intentionally vocal about who Jesus is this month
- I will bring baked goods to the Christmas Eve Service