Why We'll Always Celebrate Christmas!
The Purpose of Christmas
Thursday, December 18, 2003
My Prayer Today
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them,
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
Words and Music by Daniel L Schutte
© 1981
Bible Verses
Romans 12:3-8
3 As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. 6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Questions for Reflection
Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, what's next? Many things happen, but we are going to look at the blessings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit today.
According to verse 5, what do believers have to do?
Questions for Exploration
One of the purposes of Christmas is ministry. We are to use our spiritual gifts – the ability that God gives us – to do certain things well. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. What is our first step in learning what our spiritual gifts are (verse 6)?
How do we seek God's will?
Questions for Understanding
Once we seek God's will through prayer and Bible reading, we are ready to say to God, "Here I am!" What may hold us back from serving God?
Who are the ministers of the church – the Body of Christ?
Question for Application
We are ready to use our spiritual gifts in ministry! One thing that we need to remember is that our call to service is not a lifetime commitment! It can be a good idea to try several ministries and then find the one (or ones!) where we can grow and be used by God. No matter how young or old we are, we can grow! It's God's purpose for our life.
Spiritual Gift |
Description |
Prophecy |
Motivation to speak out against wrong thoughts or deeds on God's behalf |
Serving |
Motivation to help others through meeting physical and practical needs |
Teaching |
Motivation to present truth clearly and precisely |
Exhorting |
Motivation to encourage and prompt others to spiritual growth and experience |
Giving |
Motivation to gain assets and share them with others for the work of the Lord |
Leadership |
Motivation to lead others in seeing vision and accomplishing it |
Mercy |
Motivation to share in the suffering and joys of others as a comforter |
Knowledge |
Motivation to dig for spiritual truths and understand God's Word |
Evangelism |
Motivation to go and tell everyone you know the Good News |
Hospitality |
Motivation to take care of others |
This is just a partial listing of the spiritual gifts. Pray for God to help us discern where He would have us serve. Where are we motivated to serve and minister?
No Moldering Allowed!
The great violinist, Nicole Pagannini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa, the city of his birth, only on the condition that it not be played. The violin was made from a peculiar wood. As long as the violin is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, the wood begins to decay. The exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering violin has lost its purpose – its meaning.
The purpose of Christmas is ministry – serving others in the name of Jesus. Don't hide your gifts or talents. Don't place them on a shelf where they become useless. Open yourself up this Christmas and serve with purpose every day!
If you would like to learn more about serving in ministry and mission at New Life, contact any of the elders or ministry staff members. They will be glad to help you discover your gifts and begin serving Jesus.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
Jesus calls us to be alive in Him. No moldering allowed! The purpose of Christmas is ministry – I will go – I will serve! We will do it – gladly!
To view other studies from the Why We Celebrate Christmas series, click here.