Why We'll Always Celebrate Christmas!
The Purpose of Christmas
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
My Prayer Today
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
We share each other's woes,
our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
Public Domain
Bible Verses
Romans 12:9-21
9 Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. 13 When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night. 14 If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. 19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord. 20 Instead, do what the Scriptures say: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you." 21 Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Questions for Reflection
Fellowship is one of the purposes of Christmas. We have office parties, family gatherings, LIFE group get-togethers, church socials, open houses – we seem to want to be together at this time of year. True fellowship for believers means that we have a place to belong where we can experience life together and where we can cultivate community. Today, we will look at some of the components of Christian fellowship. According to Romans 12:9-10, what is the first component of true fellowship?
How can we best serve God (verse 11)?
Questions for Exploration
Christian fellowship is so unique, the first believers searched for a word to describe it. They found it in an old word no longer in use. They dusted off koinonia and used it. They knew no ordinary word could describe the relationship that existed among believers. (1000 Windows by Robert Shannon). According to Romans 12:13, true fellowship shares. How can we share?
Questions for Understanding
Re-read verses 14-17. It's been said that "a pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants." When someone hurts us, what is our response?
If we are in true fellowship with those who hurt us, what will be our response?
An arch consists of two weaknesses, which leaning against one another make a strength. Alone, we are weak. Together, we can stand strong. How can this thought help us understand true fellowship?
Question for Application
According to verse 21, we should not let the negative things (evil) in life replace the good things of true fellowship. How can we replace the negative with the positive (i.e., replace criticism with encouragement)?
Porcupine Fellowship
A philosopher once compared human beings to porcupines. He shared that on a cold winter's night, porcupines will huddle together to keep warm. The colder the night gets, the closer they huddle. But the closer they get, their sharp quills begin to prick at each other. Eventually, one porcupine after another leaves the huddle and wanders outside alone. By daybreak, all the porcupines have frozen to death.
The philosopher stated that people do the same thing. They gather in groups for fellowship, for warmth, for sharing. But eventually, sharp quills begin to poke at the group. Quills of envy, jealously, bitterness, criticism. Soon, the fellowship is broken and the people drift apart and die in loneliness.
The good news is that Jesus gives us an alternative – we can forgive each other for the pokes we receive. True fellowship grows as we love and forgive.
The purpose of Christmas is true fellowship. When we all focus on getting right – and staying right – with God and fellowship with Him and each other, we will all be going in the same direction – God's!
God calls us to huddle together – and to forgive the pokes. This Christmas season, practice true fellowship. It's a purpose of Christmas that gives and gives!
Blest be the tie (and quills!) that bind!
To view other studies from the Why We Celebrate Christmas series, click here.