Unhurried Christmas Selected Scriptures December 8, 2013 Guest Speaker: Alan Fadling
I. A Temptation to Hurry
II. The Unhurried and Timely Arrival of a Savior
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7: 14 [NIV] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1: 22 -23 [NIV]
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 6 [NIV] …for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Luke 1: 49 -50, NIV [Mary’s response]
III. Top Ten Thoughts for Enjoying an Unhurried Christmas
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON ²These suggestions are not meant as more items for your already too long holiday to do list. These are ways to approach these upcoming weeks from a different spirit—with a more unhurried, relaxed, and peaceful heart.
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 10. Enjoy a few sips of your morning coffee or tea for five minutes without doing anything other than enjoying the moment.
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 9. Take an evening walk in your neighborhood and enjoy the decorations that may be up. Make it a stroll. Feel the crisp air on your face. Engage all of your senses.
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 8. As you are preparing to buy a gift for someone, slow down enough to ask yourself, “What would they enjoy? What would bless them, encourage them, enrich them, help them? ” See if you can resist the temptation to make gift purchasing an exercise in efficiency, but rather an offering of love.
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 7. Slow down enough to look a salesperson in the eye and thank them for their help. Bless them in the midst of what is a likely a very frantic season for them.
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 6. Give yourself the gift of one morning to wake up without an alarm clock going off.
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 5. Take a moment at the end of a day to think back over it. What are you grateful for? Say thanks. What was hard? Ask for help. What do you wish you did differently? Ask forgiveness.
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 4. Take the opportunity to spend a little time with someone whose needs are greater than yours. The needs might be financial, emotional, physical, etc.
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 3. At a Christmas party or holiday gathering, be more present to others by listening well to what they are sharing. Ask questions that express interest and care.
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 2. Take a moment to read the story about the birth of Jesus (Luke 2: 1 -21).
“TOP 10 WAYS” TO HAVE AN UNHURRIED CHRISTMAS SEASON 1. The prophet Isaiah described Jesus as a child who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Which of these names hits closest to home for you? Carry it with you through this holiday season.
TWO PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1. What one point of the sermon stood out for you? How will you apply it? 2. What is your first step toward having an unhurried Christmas season?
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