THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTMAS

TEXT- MATTHEW 1:18-25

INTRODUCTION

SINCE THIS MORNING IS THE LAST SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS I AM SURE THAT ALL OF YOU ARE EXPECTING ME TO PREACH A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE.

WHILE THAT IS MY PLAN, I WANT TO WARN YOU THAT IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHRISTMAS MESSAGE THAN YOU ARE EXPECTING.

DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR OUR MINDS ARE FOCUSED ON THE SPLENDOR AND GLITTER OF CHRISTMAS.

AFTER ALL IT IS A VERY SPECIAL SEASON WITH BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED HOUSES AND TREES.

EVERYWHERE YOU TURN THERE ARE BRIGHTLY COLORED LIGHTS.

ALONG WITH THIS IT ISN’T UNUSUAL TO FIND A GROUP OF PEOPLE SINGING CHEERFUL CHRISTMAS CAROLS.

THEN OF COURSE ON CHRISTMAS EVERYONE IS ANTICIPATING TO RECEIVE SOME KIND OF GIFT.

BUT EVEN THOUGH WE MAY WANT TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF CHRISTMAS WE CAN NOT IGNORE THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTMAS.

AS THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY COIN THERE ARE ALSO TWO SIDES TO CHRISTMAS.

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN MATTHEW 1:18-25 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, “THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTMAS.”

WHEN JESUS WAS BORN OUR TEXT TELLS US IN VERSE 21 THAT IT WAS TO “SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.”

IF WE DISCUSS CHRISTMAS AND THE BIRTH OF JESUS WE CAN NOT IGNORE THE ISSUE OF SIN.

WHILE WE MAY NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THIS SIDE OF CHRISTMAS, WITHOUT IT, THERE CAN BE NO CHRISTMAS.

IF WE REMOVE THE TOPIC OF SIN FROM THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE IT BECOMES HOLLOW AND MEANINGLESS.

IF WE REMOVE THE TOPIC OF SIN FROM THE CHRISTMAS MESSAGE WE HAVE REMOVED THE VERY  REASON FOR THE SEASON.

AND THE REASON WHY JESUS WAS BORN WAS TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS.

IN DECEMBER 1903, AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS, THE WRIGHT BROTHERS WERE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THEIR "FLYING MACHINE" OFF THE GROUND. THRILLED THEY TELEGRAPHED THIS MESSAGE TO THEIR SISTER KATHERINE:

    "WE HAVE ACTUALLY FLOWN 120 FEET.  WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS."

    KATHERINE HURRIED TO THE EDITOR OF THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER AND SHOWED HIM THE MESSAGE.  HE GLANCED AT IT AND SAID, "HOW NICE. THE BOYS WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS."

    HE TOTALLY MISSED THE BIG NEWS-- MAN HAD FLOWN!  MANY PEOPLE TODAY MAKE A SIMILAR MISTAKE WHEN THEY HEAR THE WORD CHRISTMAS.  THEY DON'T THINK OF JESUS AND HIS MIRACULOUS BIRTH OR THE REASON WHY HE WAS BORN.  INSTEAD, THEY THINK OF FAMILY, GATHERINGS, FESTIVE MEALS, DECORATIONS, AND GIFTS.  BUT IF THAT'S ALL THAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO US, WE ARE MISSING ITS TRUE SIGNIFICANCE.

AS WE CONSIDER THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTMAS I WOULD LIKE US TO LOOK AT FIVE AREAS CONCERNING SIN.