Don't Stop at the Crib

Christmastime can be very emotional – it carries both happy and sad memories for us. However, the story of Jesus’ birth has a message that still speaks to our emotions during this season. In this week’s sermon, we will talk about what that message is and what it says to us in both our good and our not-so-good days.

Scripture: Luke 2:1-10
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angels said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “Why Did He Come?“ delivered on Christian Crusaders December 18, 2005.

We who are Christians experience this feeling of being lost also. This does not mean we are not God’s redeemed children. Our sins are forgiven, and we are assured of our heavenly home, but as Christians we often find ourselves walking away from our Lord. Christians? Yes! But in need of help from our Lord. When we have an unforgiving spirit. . . When we fail to tell people of the Savior in a loving way. . . When we pick and choose what we accept in the Bible so it suits us in addressing social issues of the day. That is why Jesus came.

Christmas Gift Idea
It's not too late to order a last-minute gift – copies of Christian Crusaders’ gift set of Christmas sermons are still available! This audio CD set of sermons based on Isaiah 9:6 is available for $10 and can be mailed directly to your recipient. Call 1-888-My Faith or visit ChristianCrusaders.org to order. It might be a meaningful gift for a faraway friend, a next-door neighbor, or someone from your church who is lonely around the holidays.

On the Light Side
Every Christmas morning when her children were little, Patty read them the nativity story out of the big family Bible.

When her youngest son was old enough to talk, he asked what a stable was.

Patty thought for a moment about how to explain it to him in terms he could understand. Then she told him, “It’s something like your sister’s room, but without a stereo.”

The program "Don't Stop at the Crib" will air Sunday, December 20, 2009. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.