Sermon Tone Analysis

Christmas Is In The Heart, Not In A Tree

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Introduction:

On way to church, we past a Christmas tree farm.

You can take your family, and pick your own tree and cut it down yourself.

The Christmas tree is an important symbol to most people, it certainly adds quite a bit of spirit to the home, and the grandkids love it:

It’s a blast watching our kids, change the ornaments around so, theirs would be in front of their siblings.

It brings back memories of Christmas past.

Let me say at the onset, there is certainly nothing wrong with having a Christmas tree.

The only thing that would make it wrong is if you were to worship it as an idol.

My message this morning has to do with what Christmas is and what it is not.

Allow me to mention a few things as we look at our outline this morning:

I. My first point is: “Christmas IS NOT IN A TREE”

A. For most people, the Christmas tree, the lights, the tinsel, and all the things that go along with decorating for Christmas…these things are much of what makes Christmas important to people.

B. Of course we as Christians know that when the last of the tree lights our taken down, we have something far more important that remains with us throughout the year.

We have the Light of the World!

II.

My second point is: “Christmas Is Not In The Gifts We Exchange With One Another”

I have a confession to make, I like opening presents…the more the better, and being the pastor I should get more.

It does have to be a whole lot, but just the anticipation of finding out what is inside of a package…that’s a lot of fun.

If your children were like mine.

as soon as you left the house they were under the tree unwrapping a end so they could see what they where getting.

I sometimes triple wrap things just to aggravate them.

The sad truth of the matter is that most people think Christmas is just about giving and receiving a gift:

Illustration: “Our whole society is focused on the celebration of Christmas.

With the excessive commercialism which begins in our country immediately after Halloween (Once it start the day after Thanksgiving), with the secular gaiety and extravagant glitz, with the efforts to sanctify profit making as the “Reason for the Season.”

Christ is often ignored.

The mystery of God-in-the flesh tends to become a mere stimulus for our economy.

The tragedy of all tragedies would be this: That any man, women, boy or girl opens all their gifts this Christmas and neglect the most important gift of all, Jesus:

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III.

My third point is: Christmas Is Not A Religious Celebration

I want to remind you, there were religious people who crucified Jesus!

Religion never saved anyone.

The world doesn’t mind a little religion at Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving.

As long as we keep Jesus Christ out of the picture.

As long Jesus is made to be just some mythical, impersonal charter.

Many well-meaning people will experience the religion of this holiday without ever having experienced Jesus Christ.

Quote: “Ready or Not: “The Return of Christmas”

“S

“Society has never really wanted the incarnation.

“Our Emanuel, God with us .”

Society wants the cute religious stuff, rustic stables, adoring shepherds, fluffy white sheep, cows, donkeys, holy family, the infant Jesus, gift bearing wisemen, Christmas star, angels, Santa, reindeer’s, fir trees, holly, and presents.

The pagan stuff they will retain.

The marketplace will also retain some of the traditional hymns, but in upbeat arrangements that removes them from the realm of traditional worship.”

Jesus is not interested in religion or traditions.

He only interested in whether you know Him or not.

One can certainly celebrate religious aspect of Christmas without including Jesus Christ!

Most will, but Christmas is not a religious celebration.

IV.

My fourth point is: Christmas Is In The Heart

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We know that a heart without Jesus Christ is spiritually dead.

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Ezekiel 36

2. The reason most people see only the commercial side of Christmas is that their heart has never been changed toward Christ:

Illustration: Do you remember how it was before you became a Christian?

We sang all the Christmas carols right along with everyone else.

We attended the school Christmas programs, set up the manger scene at home, but we only went through the motions.

When Christmas was over, our thoughts of Jesus Christ were put away in a box of tinsel.

Why?

Our hearts were spiritually dead!

(Aren’t you glad Jesus changed your Heart?)

3. The joy of Christmas is in the hearts of every child of God.

a.

Our hearts are no longer dead.

b.

We have been given light.

c.

The Son of God has shined light in our hearts.

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Quote: “He who has not Christmas in his heart, will never find it under a tree.”

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As I Close: Remember, Christmas Is In The Heart; Not In A Tree

I want to ask you to come up front this morning:

If you have never invited Jesus Christ into your heart.

Maybe you have allowed your heart to become cold.

I want you to come and pray for your love ones who are unsaved.

Maybe this Christmas will be the Christmas they come to Jesus!