CHRISTMAS: THERE’S A BETTER WAY
December 7 & 8, 2024 // Pastor Mike Berry

1. CHRISTMAS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2, NIV

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:40, NIV

Tradition: the transmission of customs or beliefs from one generation to another. It’s not what you do, it’s what you leave behind.

2. TAKE TIME TO INTENTIONALLY

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Joshua 1:8, NIV

3. AS A FAMILY COME UP WITH A

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19–21, NIV

4. AS A FAMILY COME UP WITH A PLAN TO

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”
1 Corinthians 9:19–22, NIV

5. AS A FAMILY COME UP WITH A PLAN TO

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:13–14, NIV

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,”
Philippians 2:3, NIV

Action Steps:
What Christmas traditions have been important to you and your family? How will you practice the presence of God each day during this Christmas season? What are some ways that you can do something good each day this Christmas season? Where do you think you could cut back on Christmas spending in order to be a good steward of God’s resources? What steps will you take to put God first this Christmas season?