A Christmas Story by Brent Wood

WCC

WATERFORD COMMUNITY CHURCH - 11:00am SUNDAY WORSHIP

by: Mark Manzer

12/15/2021

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A Christmas Story by Brent Wood

My dad was a pastor in the day and age where you could buy sermon illustrations in big books to be used in messages.  And when he found one he really liked, he had no qualms about repeating it.  He had a favorite that he liked to share at Christmas. 


It went something like this.


Imagine being a kid and being told that there was going to be a birthday party for you.  A dozen of your friends in the neighborhood are invited, and then the big day arrives.  Everyone comes with a gift brightly wrapped, but they are set aside for later.  First it's time for some games and activities.  Then it's the cake and ice cream.  But then finally, eventually, it's time for the presents.


Everyone gathers in the living room and each child picks up the gift that he brought.  But then something unusual happens.  Everyone starts exchanging gifts with each other; it seems that no one has a gift for the birthday child.  You kind of wonder what is going on.  After all this is your party, and it's your birthday.


And then my dad would deliver his big line:


     "You have to wonder if that's how Jesus feels on Christmas.  After all, it is HIS birthday. 

      We give all kinds of gifts to each other - but do we have any gifts for Him?"


He would then follow that up with a question:


     "What will you give Jesus this Christmas?"


And that is a really good question for all of us to consider.  What will we give Jesus this Christmas?


He's probably not hoping for a new tie or a nice wallet. 


He's more likely to be wanting things like...

•    your making him a priority in your life

•    your spending time with him and reading the Bible

•    your sending along a little extra money to a family in need

•    your reaching out to someone at work or school who needs a friend

•    your helping out in some ministry at church

The options are endless. It just needs to be a gift from your heart.  But how about making sure to bring a gift for the "birthday child" this year!

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A Christmas Story by Brent Wood

My dad was a pastor in the day and age where you could buy sermon illustrations in big books to be used in messages.  And when he found one he really liked, he had no qualms about repeating it.  He had a favorite that he liked to share at Christmas. 


It went something like this.


Imagine being a kid and being told that there was going to be a birthday party for you.  A dozen of your friends in the neighborhood are invited, and then the big day arrives.  Everyone comes with a gift brightly wrapped, but they are set aside for later.  First it's time for some games and activities.  Then it's the cake and ice cream.  But then finally, eventually, it's time for the presents.


Everyone gathers in the living room and each child picks up the gift that he brought.  But then something unusual happens.  Everyone starts exchanging gifts with each other; it seems that no one has a gift for the birthday child.  You kind of wonder what is going on.  After all this is your party, and it's your birthday.


And then my dad would deliver his big line:


     "You have to wonder if that's how Jesus feels on Christmas.  After all, it is HIS birthday. 

      We give all kinds of gifts to each other - but do we have any gifts for Him?"


He would then follow that up with a question:


     "What will you give Jesus this Christmas?"


And that is a really good question for all of us to consider.  What will we give Jesus this Christmas?


He's probably not hoping for a new tie or a nice wallet. 


He's more likely to be wanting things like...

•    your making him a priority in your life

•    your spending time with him and reading the Bible

•    your sending along a little extra money to a family in need

•    your reaching out to someone at work or school who needs a friend

•    your helping out in some ministry at church

The options are endless. It just needs to be a gift from your heart.  But how about making sure to bring a gift for the "birthday child" this year!

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