5.) Know, Think, and Speak Truth.

1. 1. Jesus IS Truth. (John 14:6) **Do you know Him?
   2. Know Truth: Remind yourself that at one of the darkest points in history, Christ came!
   3. Think Truth:
      1. He is not the Author of anxiety or fear. (Phil. 4:6-7; 2 Tim. 1:7)
         1. His grace, strength, and wisdom is available when overwhelmed by the Holiday hustle and bustle. (2 Cor. 12:9, James 1:5)
         2. He is always with us, and He has promised that struggles are for a season. (Heb. 13:5, 2 Cor. 4:17).
   4. Speak Truth:
      1. Remind yourself and your children of the Biblical Christmas Story.
      2. Remind yourself and your children of the reason and truth behind Christmas traditions.
   5. Be ready to share the Truth of Christmas to all.

3.) Speak Life and Reflect Light.

1. 1. Jesus came to give life when we were dead in sin and headed to eternal death.
   2. Jesus always shines light in darkness; in fact, He IS light!
   3. Show life and light by being encouraged (get out of the news and into the Word!) and by being encouraging!
   4. Be a true “Joy to the World” with your face and your words!
      1. *When:
         1. In the hustle and bustle of: Christmas shopping, errand running, decorating,
         2. Baking, wrapping, prepping
         3. In getting together with family, friends, church family.
   5. Pray for wisdom to speak life and reflect life when you feel that family or friends misunderstand you or reject you. (Jesus knows all about that; He has never rejected you; He loves and accepts you. AND He still is life and light to those who misunderstand Him and reject Him. We can follow His example.)
   6. Especially be aware of speaking life and reflecting light to those who desperately need Him. (This is so hard to remember in the hustle and bustle.)

4) Celebrate with Grace.

1. Celebrate—to acknowledge a happy day or event with a social gathering or enjoyable activity; to praise or honor someone.
2. Grace—courteous goodwill; a free and loving gift of unmerited favor.
   1. By its definition, celebration SHOULD take place with GRACE. If it doesn’t, maybe it’s because we’re not truly celebrating.
3. Jesus came to love and to die for undeserving sinners—you and me.
4. We can and should celebrate with grace, no matter how “undeserving” those around us are.
   1. Speak Gently. (Graciously, Prov. 11:16)
   2. Serve Gracefully. (Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38-42)
   3. Celebrate Gregariously. (In a friendly way that shows a liking for the company of others; social, friendly, approachable.) **Don’t be a Scrooge or a Grinch.

A FULL CHRISTMAS

JOHN 1:1-6, 9-14, 16-17

Part 1

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke give us portraits of the “Christmas Story,” describing some of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. John begins his Gospel with a beautiful, glorious, and deeply theological description of Jesus—The Word.

John tells us:

• Jesus has always been. (Vs.1)
• Jesus is God and God with us. (Vs.1,2)
• Jesus is Creator. (Vs. 3,10)
• Jesus came to us. (Vs. 10,11 14)
• Jesus is light and life. (Vs. 4,5,9)
• Jesus knows misunderstanding. (Vs. 5)
• Jesus knows rejection. (Vs. 10,11)
• Jesus is Savior. (Vs. 12)
• Jesus is full of grace and truth. (Vs. 14,16,17)

How can we exemplify Christ and have a FULL Christmas?

1.) Be Present.

1. 1. Jesus is with us. (Immanuel Isaiah 7:14, 8:8) (Emmanuel Matthew 1:23)
   2. It is GRACE for us to be more interested and invested in ENJOYING the family and festivities, rather than DOING or MAKING the festivities. (This is a hard balance…convicting for servant minded Mama’s.)

2.) Embrace Creativity.

1. 1. Jesus created a beautiful world.
   2. The beauty of Christmas and Christmas decor can reflect His creation and can teach truth. (Nativity, history, Carols)
      1. *Don’t be a Humbug ;)
      2. *Don’t go to the other extreme and get caught up in comparison or frustration.