WHAT IS A GOOD CHRISTMAS ORIENTATION?

    CHRISTMAS ORIENTATION

 TITUS ::- 2:11 -12

We have learn about the origin of Christmas in our previous blog,

And also learned  the preparation for Christmas. I.e the arrangement ,the plans and steps to be taken before the Christmas celebration.

Now we are looking at orientation of Christmas., it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ ,according to the christian religion, a son of God.
The word "Christ" "mass" means the holy mass
Orientation means rt he bearing ,direction ,preference.

Christmas orientation has to do with our notions ,perceptions we have about the Christmas celebration(the way we see Christmas)

WHAT ARE THE WORLDLY VIEWS ABOUT CHRISTMAS?

Christmas orientation

1,   The world sees Christmas as a Holiday,festival.

   .the time to go on vacation and travel

   .to lie on the beach and tanned oneself

    .a time to explore different food and             cultures

2,   Its a time to light the Christmas tree.

      .In Jos, plateau state Nigeria,1st                     December is always a time to light the         Christmas tree.

       .In Paris ,they celebrate the biggest              Christmas tree.

       .most families decorate the                            Christmas  tree beautifully in their                sitting room.

3,   A time for Christmas carol song::- 

     .joy to the world 

     .jingle bell ,jingle bell

     .Mary's boy child

     .Veliz Navidad

     .Oh come ,all ye faithful

Travels ,Christmas light ,trees and carols has taken the place of Jesus in our lives.

4,   Its a time to spend the money we have gathered from January to December.

For some,its a time to move from the city to the village. this is common in Nigeria.

A time to take your date to the nicest places, and buy her gift.

Please let's get the right orientation about Christmas,and let's not be like the world., the bible says " though we are in the world,we are not of the world (john 17:14)

2Corinthians 4:4 Satan is the God of this world ,so beware.

HOW TO GENUINELY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AS CHRISTIANS.

ROMANS 12:2 ::- Do not conform to the standard of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind:

1, Do not adapt to the standard of the world

2,  But be moulded by changing our perceptions and notion of christmas - Amen

,  We should not conform to the secular traditions ,western cultures, to the influence of media eh pornography ,sensual stories  and films.

There are three types of people in this world.

1,  Those that make things happen- they 

stimulate ,instigate and act

2,  Those who watch things happen - they are passive and dormant

3,  Those who have no idea of the things happening.

At Christmas time , we fall into the three groups::-

We make Christmas happen I.e cooking ,buying ,cleaning etc

We watch Christmas films ,listen to carols , hymns and read Christmas bible stories

We do not really understand what is happening, we celebrate Christmas ignorantly

We celebrate it with lazy attitude::- Not knowing the purpose , the theology behind it , etc.

             TITUS 2 : 11 - 15

In Paul's letter to TItus , he set the genuine patterns of celebrating christmas as christians .He talked on three dimensions I.e the past ,present and future

1,  Past::- it involves remembering the past (Titus 2:11)

Paul writes " the Grace of God that brings salvation,appeared to all men"

The Grace of God is the message of Christ.the birth of Christ burst open the Grace of God., john 1:14c says " full of grace and truth"

2,  It involves living a Holy life today(Titus 2 :12)

We are to deny Ungodliness and worldly lust. The unGodliness here is the all forms of sexual immorality  eg homosexuality ,bisexual ,incest ,masturbation. bestiality etc

      What are example of worldly lust?

1,  As Christians we are to live a life of self control.

2,  A discipline life -have a goal ,target and Aim.

3,  Its done through the leadership of the holy spirit.

3,   It involves thinking of the future(Titus 2 :13-15)

The question is "where will you spend your eternity?"

Its the time to reflect on that.(the future)

Everyone will live forever either in Hell or in Heaven.

Knowing that Christ is coming soon ,is the reason to reflect on the future during Christmas.

 THE KING IS COMING SOON

                       CONCLUSION

Matthew 5 :16:-  Let your light (character) ,so shine before men(everyone).

That they may see your good works.

And Glorify God in heaven (Amen)

                         PRAYER

1,   Father help me to genuinely celebrate as Christians

2,   Help me to be a real Christian not a hypocrite.

3,   Thank you lord for the answers to prayer