How to Prepare for Christmas

Luke 1:5-77

I. Introduction - The First Christmas Took Some Preparation

A. There is a lot of preparation that goes into this time of year. And rightly so! There is a lot to do. But are we preparing to celebrate the coming of Christ, or of Santa? Are we pleasing God, or ourselves? Are our homes places that reflect the love of Christ, or the love for possessions? Think about it?

B. The very first Christmas, there was a lot of preparation that went on - things that we ought to be doing too. It will help keep our sanity, and will honour the One Person who so easily gets forgotten in all the lights, glitter, gifts, and hype.

II. Message - How to Prepare for Christmas (Luke 1:5-77)

A. Get the Lights (1:5-10; Mt 5:14-16). People go all out for the gifts, and tree, and music, and food, and family, and decorations, but are only half-hearted in their relationship with the God of Christmas! A Christian life is like a light!

1. The Light of salvation - have you been made righteous? Trusted God's lamb? They knew what it meant to be saved, not religious!

2. The Light of life - Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth were BOTH living in obedience to God's word. So many say, "I can't live it" - yes you can - you juts have to want to, and be willing when you fail to get back up and go again (John 8:12)!

3. The Light of church - they weren't so busy shopping, working, and drinking, and enjoying "life" where God was last on the list - He was FIRST!

a. Zacharias was supposed to be at the church prayer meeting - and he was there - He knew that was where he was supposed to be

b. The whole congregation was praying together as a body - not just few (1:10). It is normal that 10% does the work of the 90% (Philp 2:22-30)

c. If you are going to prepare for Christmas, be busy doing something for God in your church here - faithfully, all year round!

B. Make Out the Christmas Lists - Seek Answered Prayer (1:11-20)

1. Zacharias wanted a child, and had prayed a very long time for one. God is looking for folks who, when they pray, they don't give up. The name of the child was to be John (a GIFT)

a. Zacharias evidently knew that children are gifts from GOD

b. We need to realise as we prepare for Christmas that we are already loaded down with GIFTS - our family, and especially our children

2. Zacharias wanted joy - knew that joy came (1:14-15):

a. When you have a right relationship with GOD

b. When your needs are supplied by God - not by Smyth Toystore

c. When God's word is being fulfilled - very important

1) God had promised back in Isaiah and in Malachi that a child would come into the world and prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah

2) And now it was happening, and the Bible believers would rejoice

3) I see around me every week how that everything is coming together in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus - it brings me joy that God is still on track, but sorrow that people are so daft!

3. Zacharias wanted his children to serve God (1:16,17)

a. Not be the selfish little brats this world is producing

b. Not be living for drink

c. Not be anything but great in the eyes of God

4. Zacharias wanted people converted (1:16,17) - His prayer life was saturated with requesting that people would get to know the God of heaven, who loves, and is there for us!

a. Not to become Baptists - although that is what His son would become

b. But be converted back to God - talking about Jews - supposed to be with God to begin with, but weren't - they were only religious

c. Back to the home (Mal 4:6) - this is where we need prayer!

1) This country is going to hell, and the homes are already there

2) The HEARTS of the FATHERS must be turned first - not the mothers, or the children

3) After the DADS are right with God, they we can begin to work on the next generation and turn them back home!

d. Back to the Bible - true wisdom! Everyone is turning to astrologers, and self-help books, and to priests and churches, but how many are getting into this BOOK?

5. Zacharias fails here (1:18-20) - his faith is weak - can't believe his prayer is finally being answered. Isn't that typical? God teaches him a lesson!

C. Get Excited (1:30-33). Most people see the burden of Christmas. Mary learns Christmas is an exciting time - but that all the excitement is about Jesus!

1. Excited about the greatness of Jesus (1:32) - not Mary, Zacharias, Elisabeth

2. Excited that the Son of God has come - Became flesh and dwelt among us

3. Excited that HE is to be KING (Isa 9:6,7) - forget the North Pole

a. The government belongs on HIS shoulders - not the church

b. It starts with Christ governing your life right now - He knows what He is doing, and I get excited about my king!

4. Excited that it is HIS birthday we are celebrating (Mt 2:1,2).

a. If you only have money for your kids and yourselves this Christmas, then you have been brainwashed from the real meaning of Christmas, and aren't prepared for it

b. If you have done all you shopping, but have no time for God in your life - you are not prepared for a real Christmas!

c. In your home, JESUS ought to be the focus of everything - don't let anything crowd Him out - like Santa, Rudolf, or Toy catalogue

D. Get the Gifts (1:76,77) - What is Christmas without Gifts?

1. The gift of a godly reputation. Get a reputation for being a prophet - a speaker for God - a preacher!

a. The angels declared Christ's coming

b. The shepherds went throughout the city telling people He was born

c. The wise men walked 600 miles to tell people Jesus was born

d. The Apostle Paul spent 35 years travelling tens of thousands of miles by foot and by boat telling people that Jesus came!

e. Instead of having a reputation (a name) for being a good golfer, or a fancy polisher, or a great mechanic - we need Christians to have a reputation for talking about Jesus!

2. The gift of making a difference. Prepare hearts of people around you - like a plow with the word of God. God help us to see we can make a difference!

3. The gift of salvation (Eph 2:8,9; Rom 6:23; Lk 15:10). Tell people the difference between religion and salvation. Tell people that Christ came to save sinners through His death in our place! Teach people that their sins are sending them to hell, and need to be remitted (removed) by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone! THAT will be the best Christmas gift ever give or received!

4. All other "gifts" given at Christmas will fade and rust and fall apart

III. Conclusion -