Meaning of Christmas

Christmas Begins with Longing

Christmas Begins with Longing

When does Christmas begin? We have good friends whose son believes that Christmas can only begin if there is snow on the ground. Every night in December, he prays for snow. We know others who believe that Christmas can only begin once the tree is up and decorated. And I know of parents who would argue that Christmas cannot begin until both parents are up and have a cup of coffee in their hand. When does Christmas begin? I would like to argue that Christmas actually begins with a longing, a hunger for something so big that it sets you on a journey to find it. Sometimes that longing is love. Sometimes it is peace. Sometimes it is a hunger for meaning and significance. And sometimes it’s a craving for joy. These are the longings of Christmas, desires buried deep in our hearts that call us to discover what life

The Hope of Dwelling

The Hope of Dwelling

This sermon is based on John 1:14-18. Series Overview: Christmasy -- it’s a word. It means “typical of Christmas” or “a special Christmas mood.” Christmas is a word, but it seems to have lost its meaning of late. Once, it meant a day of worship to celebrate God’s redemption of the world through the incarnation of Jesus, the Son. Now, it simply denotes a winter holiday filled with food, family, the airing of grievances and the giving of gifts (but not necessarily in that order). That’s why, this year, I’m choosing to use the word Christmasy more, but I want to mispronounce it. I like “Christmas –why” over “Christmas-ee” because it asks the right question: “Why is there a Christmas?” That’s the question we want to explore this Advent season. And it’s a funny thing, when you are all “Christmas-why,” you end up being all Christmasy because you will find the true meaning of Christmas.

The Hope of Christmas

The Hope of Christmas

This sermon is based on Isaiah 9:2-7. Series Overview: Christmasy -- it’s a word. It means “typical of Christmas” or “a special Christmas mood.” Christmas is a word, but it seems to have lost its meaning of late. Once, it meant a day of worship to celebrate God’s redemption of the world through the incarnation of Jesus, the Son. Now, it simply denotes a winter holiday filled with food, family, the airing of grievances and the giving of gifts (but not necessarily in that order). That’s why, this year, I’m choosing to use the word Christmasy more, but I want to mispronounce it. I like “Christmas –why” over “Christmas-ee” because it asks the right question: “Why is there a Christmas?” That’s the question we want to explore this Advent season. And it’s a funny thing, when you are all “Christmas-why,” you end up being all Christmasy because you will find the true meaning of Christmas.

That Mourns in Lonely Exile Here

That Mourns in Lonely Exile Here

This sermon is based on Matthew 2:16-18. Series Overview: Christmasy -- it’s a word. It means “typical of Christmas” or “a special Christmas mood.” Christmas is a word, but it seems to have lost its meaning of late. Once, it meant a day of worship to celebrate God’s redemption of the world through the incarnation of Jesus, the Son. Now, it simply denotes a winter holiday filled with food, family, the airing of grievances and the giving of gifts (but not necessarily in that order). That’s why, this year, I’m choosing to use the word Christmasy more, but I want to mispronounce it. I like “Christmas –why” over “Christmas-ee” because it asks the right question: “Why is there a Christmas?” That’s the question we want to explore this Advent season. And it’s a funny thing, when you are all “Christmas-why,” you end up being all Christmasy because you will find the true meaning of Christmas.

The Sin That Longed for Christmas

The Sin That Longed for Christmas

This sermon is based on Matthew 1:18-21. Series Overview: Christmasy -- it’s a word. It means “typical of Christmas” or “a special Christmas mood.” Christmas is a word, but it seems to have lost its meaning of late. Once, it meant a day of worship to celebrate God’s redemption of the world through the incarnation of Jesus, the Son. Now, it simply denotes a winter holiday filled with food, family, the airing of grievances and the giving of gifts (but not necessarily in that order). That’s why, this year, I’m choosing to use the word Christmasy more, but I want to mispronounce it. I like “Christmas –why” over “Christmas-ee” because it asks the right question: “Why is there a Christmas?” That’s the question we want to explore this Advent season. And it’s a funny thing, when you are all “Christmas-why,” you end up being all Christmasy because you will find the true meaning of Christmas.

The Love of Christmas

The Love of Christmas

This sermon is based on 1 John 4:9-10. Series Overview: Christmasy -- it’s a word. It means “typical of Christmas” or “a special Christmas mood.” Christmas is a word, but it seems to have lost its meaning of late. Once, it meant a day of worship to celebrate God’s redemption of the world through the incarnation of Jesus, the Son. Now, it simply denotes a winter holiday filled with food, family, the airing of grievances and the giving of gifts (but not necessarily in that order). That’s why, this year, I’m choosing to use the word Christmasy more, but I want to mispronounce it. I like “Christmas –why” over “Christmas-ee” because it asks the right question: “Why is there a Christmas?” That’s the question we want to explore this Advent season. And it’s a funny thing, when you are all “Christmas-why,” you end up being all Christmasy because you will find the true meaning of Christmas.