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ACTS 1:11

"WHY CHRISTMAS?"

Intro: "I hope Christ doesn't come on Christmas."

I. PEOPLE ARE SO INVOLVED CELEBRATING HIS FIRST COMING, THEY  WOULDN'T BE READY FOR HIS 2ND.
        A. The Christmas story is beautiful, but means nothing unless you consider  purpose.
                1. To destroy works of the devil.
                2. To take away sin.
                3. To reveal the Father.
                4. To prepare for His Second Coming.
        B. Sad note in Christmas story, "No room in the inn."
                1. No room in Palestine (Herod sought to kill Him.
                2. No room on earth (man suspended Him..
                3. And now we celebrate His birth, how?
                        a. How should His birth be celebrated? (Friends who placed  lighted 
                           cross in yard as Christmas decoration.
                                1. He sacrificed so much for us. We should make some  great
                                   sacrifice for Him.
                                2. The day spent in meditation, has He--
                                        a. Destroyed works of devil in my life?
                                        b. Taken away my sin?
                                        c. Revealed Father to me?
                                        d. Set up His kingdom in my heart?
                                3. Perhaps even fasting and praise.
                                        That sounds almost blasphemous, doesn't it?
                4. No room for Christ in celebration of His birth.
                        a. Santa Claus has crowded Him out as a symbol of giving.
                        b. So much has been spent on presents for others, nothing left for
                           Him.
                                1. Offerings always hit a low on Christmas, and weeks
                                   following.
                        c. So many extra demands in this season, really no room in our 
                           thoughts.

II. JESUS IS COMING AGAIN.
        A. Theme of Scripture, Old and New.
        B. Apostles thoughts were filled with anticipation.
                1. They lived for this hope.
        C. It is the Second Coming that God wants us to be thinking about.
                1. Not one reference in Acts or Epistles to manger or birth as day of
                   remembrance.