Archive for Christmas Messages
Christmas Jokes – Some of My Favorites
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Well I know that many of you like to sprinkle a little humor and good cheer among your congregations during the Christmas season, so I thought I would share a few of my favorite Christmas jokes with you. Have a good laugh and share them with your folks. I don't have a clue where any of these jokes originated but thanks to the comedians who thought them up. The last one in the list is my personal favorite.
MR CHEAPSKATE:
After being away on business for a week before Christmas, Bill thought it would be nice to return home with a Christmas gift for his wife. So he went to the mall to do a little shopping.
"How about some perfume?" he asked the cosmetics clerk. She showed him a bottle costing $50.
"That's a bit much," said Bill, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30.
"Thats still quite a bit," Bill grunted.
Growing disgusted, the clerk brought out a tiny $15 bottle.
Bill grew agitated, "What I mean," he said, "is I'd like to see something really cheap."
So the clerk handed him a mirror.
PRAY LOUD THIS CHRISTMAS:
As it was coming up to Christmas a young boy is praying upstairs while his mother sits by him and his dad and grandma are downstairs.
He prays "Lord I pray for a train set, a remote control car, and A NEW BICYCLE!!!
"You don't have to shout dear", says the mother "God's not deaf."
"I know" said the little boy, "but Grandma is."
POLITICALLY CORRECT CHRISTMAS GREETING:
Please accept without obligation, express or implied, these best wishes for an environmentally safe, socially responsible, low stress, non addictive, and gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday as practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice (but with respect for the religious or secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or for their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all) and further for a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated onset of the generally accepted calendar year (including, but not limited to, the Christian calendar, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures). The preceding wishes are extended without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee(s).
MY VERY FAVORITE!!!
THREE GIFTS FROM THREE SONS:
Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting together for Christmas, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.
The first said, “I built a big house for our mother.”
The second said, “I sent her a Mercedes.”
The third smiled and said, “I’ve got you both beat. You remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can’t see very well. So I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took elders in the church 12 years to teach him. He’s one of a kind. Mom just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it.”
Soon thereafter, mom sent out her letters of thanks:
“Dear Milton,” she wrote one son, “The house you built is too huge. I live in only one room, but I have to keep the whole house clean!”
“Dear Gerald,” she wrote to another, “I am too old to travel. I stay at home most of the time, so I rarely use the Mercedes.”
“Dearest Donald,” she wrote to her third son, “You have the good sense to know what your Mother likes.
The chicken was Dee-licious!”
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Favor With God — sermon
Posted by: | CommentsFavor with God, a sermon about favor with God and how it unfolds in our lives.
by Eddie Lawrence
Text: Luke 1:6 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS…..38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (NKJV)
1. An Announcement from God (v26-28)
-Mary was made aware that God was speaking to her. In her case, it was an angel. God has a way of getting our attention when He desires to call us into action for His plans and purposes.
-(List the ways that God can speak to us and briefly share those here in the sermon)
2. A Response of Fear (v29-30)
-Mary was troubled and afraid. We too are initially afraid when God begins revealing what He wants to do. Even God speaking to us can be an intense experience that rattles us.
-(Share a time the Lord spoke to you and you were afraid when you considered what was happening.)
3. A Promise of Favor (v28-29)
-Twice the Lord lets Mary know He has come to favor her. It is important for us to know that God’s intentions for us are always in our best interest. It is a sign of favor when the Lord invites you into what He is doing.
-(share a story of someone who experienced God’s favor because of stepping into God’s plans)
4. A Conception and Birthing
-Mary was told she would conceive and birth a child. With us, there is also the development within us of what God wants to do. It is a step into a process. As we faithfully carry it, it will be brought forth.
-(share how it is important to be patient and allow God to develop things. Use other biblical examples here)
5. A Response of Faith (v38)
-Mary heard, overcame her fear and said "Yes, be it unto me!" She demonstrated faith and obedience.
-Call for people to say yes to what God is speaking to them.
6. A Focus on Jesus (v31)
-Mary’s call was to birth the Christ child.
-When God is at work in us, it is always about forming Christ in us and making him known to others. For us to live is Christ!!!
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In Search of the Perfect Gift — Christmas Devotional
Posted by: | Comments(The following was written by my lovely wife, Mikki Lawrence, who is an incredible writer. I hope you enjoy it very much. Check out more of her writings at Mikki’s Journey.)
In Search of the Perfect Gift
It’s Christmas time. Time to buy gifts for those I love. So I’ve been thinking about gifts and gift-giving. I am thinking about those on my list and wishing to find the perfect gift for them.
As I think back over my years, a few “perfect” gifts stand out in my mind. I remember the year my parents gave me a birthstone ring shaped like a heart with the word love on it.
I think of one year when Eddie and I were living in Mississippi. There was a big snow and ice was on the roads, but I so wanted to go home for Christmas. That classic old song Home for Christmas haunted me. “I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me…” We drove from Mississippi back to north Alabama on a sheet of ice, but I had to be home! Now that was a gift of love from my husband. Needless to say, we were much younger then and maybe not as wise, but I got home for Christmas!
I remember the year my husband hid a beautiful ring in a pair of gloves. I was so discouraged over getting a pair of gloves and trying not to show it. I put the gloves aside for I had gotten more than one pair that year. Eddie kept insisting I try them on. In truth, I didn’t want to take the tags off to try them on because I was planning on taking them back asap. When I finally consented and place my hands in the gloves, there was my ring!
I also remember times when gifts made me feel unloved or misunderstood. And I remember some gifts that were just a way to X me off someone’s list of obligations. Like dishtowels. Please don’t give me dishtowels. I mean, why do women get the gifts that have to do with cleaning the house and cooking meals? I don’t mean to be ungrateful, but for me in order for a gift to be special, it needs to say you care, you know me. It doesn’t need to be expensive, but it needs to show someone cares.
I remember some Christmases that were really hard. Gifts really didn’t matter those years because the pain overshadowed everything else.
Gifts show love when they speak with understanding of our hearts. When they say, I know you and wanted to do something special for you.
When God sent his son as a sacrifice for us, his gift said he knew us. He knew more about our hearts than we ourselves did. He knew the good parts and he knew the bad parts. And he gave Jesus because he loved us so much right in the midst of our sin and imperfections.
The gift of Jesus is the gift of relationship. It is the gift that says God wants to spend all his time with us. Forever. He enjoys us. He wants us to come to his parties; the here and now parties and the future parties. Oh yes, God loves a good party; check out the story of the prodigal son.
You know, I love to give people expensive gifts. I always wish I could give those I love something they would never buy for themselves or that they were not able to buy for themselves. I can’t always do that, but when God gave Jesus, he gave the most expensive gift ever. He gave the gift we could never purchase ourselves. Jesus is a priceless gift; a gift which cannot be duplicated; a one of a kind gift.
Sometimes I have difficulty accepting an expensive gift. I feel as if I don’t deserve it. I have to humble myself to accept it. In the same way, we have to humble ourselves to receive the gift of Jesus. We don’t deserve him. When we accept his gift, we are indebted by love to forever live in light of the gift.
So as I prepare for Christmas with all its gift giving and receiving, I know that God’s gifts are the most beautiful and loving of all and I hope I will be able to give gifts this year that can somehow reflect God’s heart.
For after all, perfect gifts aren’t really things which can be bought. They are gifts of presence. Gifts of time. Gifts of intimacy. Gifts of celebration. Gifts born of relationship.
And Jesus is the perfect gift. Expensive for God to give. Humbling for me to receive. He is the gift I can continue to give to all those whom my life touches. He is the gift of time and intimacy and celebration and relationship, and the gift that always meets my needs and fulfills my deepest desires.
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5 Encouragements from the First Christmas Season
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FIVE ENCOURAGEMENTS FROM THE FIRST CHRISTMAS SEASON
by Eddie Lawrence
Introduction
– Did you hear about the little boy went Christmas carrolling in the middle of January. He went to a house and a man sitting in his living room heard a thin, piping voice singing, "O Come All Ye Faithful." He went to his front door and opened it, and there was a little boy singing Christmas carols.
He said to the boy, "What are you doing?"
The child replied, "I’m singing Christmas carols."
The man said, "Why, Son, it s the middle of January."
The little boy said, "I know, but I had the measles during Christmas, and I’m just now getting around to doing my caroling."
Nothing could get in the way of his celebration, and it really didn’t matter what time of year it was. (dabarorg)
Transition– I pray that we will let nothing get in the way of our really celebrating what Christmas means to us. There is so much in the Christmas narratives in Scripture to encourage us. Let’s read from Luke 2:
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[a] who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
In reading the above passage, let us draw five applications of the text for our lives today that will be a source of encouragement to us during this Christmas season:
1. GOD CAN WORK THROUGH WORLDLY GOVERNMENT TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PLANS AND PURPOSES
Explain–God actually used a decree and a census from a pagan Roman government to position Joseph and Mary for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem which fulfilled the prophecies given.
Apply–We are not to be discouraged by what happens in the world around us or through human governments. God is still God and the heart of the King is in the hand of the Lord. He is sovereign and can trump the plans of man in order to fulfill His purposes.
2. GOD CAN WORK THROUGH TRIPS WHERE WE GO HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Explain–Joseph returned to Bethlehem the place of his lineage and what a wonderful event happened while he was there.
Apply–During this Christmas season, be encouraged to know that God can do something strategic in and through you as you return home to be with family. Realize that there may be positive deposits from your heritage of which you are still unaware. Also go with the knowledge that you can be light, love, and life to others.
Relationships are so important and especially within our own family. Maybe there are some among us who will experience miracles during this Christmas season. Have faith that God is at work as you go.
3. WE HAVE TO TRUST GOD’S TIMING CONCERNING THE BIRTH OF WHAT WE CARRY FOR HIM
Explain–I imagine all of us have thought of the how that donkey ride fared for pregnant Mary. Surely it was a tough trip. Yet, it was part of God’s plan and had to happen in order for Christ to be born in Bethlehem.
Apply–We can be pregant with the things of God in our lives as well. We carry something that God has placed within us. At times, we may become impatient thinking, when will this ever happen. It actually can quiet a miserable time. Yet, it is worth the "donkey ride" so to speak, to bring it forth. We simply have to trust God to work and guide us where we need to be to deliver what we are carrying for Him.
4. GOD CAN MAKE ROOM FOR YOU WHEN MAN SAYS THERE IS NO ROOM
Explain–Though the hotel was empty, God’s ability to create a spectacular setting was still at work. Don’t be discouraged if men have shut the door on you. God opens doors that no man can shut. It could be that you are out of a job, or recently relocated, or facing some other obstacle. Allow the movement and work of God during the first Christmas season to encourage you during this holiday season.
5. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE ROOM FOR WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO IN OUR HOMES THIS CHRISTMAS
Explain–There was no room in the Inn for Jesus. Is there room in our homes for him this Christmas? Are we making sure there is room for Jesus?
Apply–Think of the blessing the Innkeeper missed because he was unable to find room for Jesus.
Illustrate– I heard the story about an event that happened one Christmas in an affluent neighborhood in California. A family decided to go out on Christmas Eve and serenade their neighbors with carols. In one house where they stopped, there was hectic confusion with Christmas preparations and with rushing and tension; so the lady opened the door and said to the singers, "Not now, please; we’re too busy." The gentleman in the standing outside with his family merely said, "Yes, ma’am," and they moved away. It was Bing and Kathy Crosby with their family. If Jesus comes to our house and we say, "Not now, I’m busy," how sad it will be.
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