Christmas is the Children's Holiday

A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick


Introduction:

    Just think of the many times you've heard a statement like this, "Isn't Christmas wonderful for the children? We love to watch their eyes as they open a special gift, or gaze at a display in the store window, or lights in the park or on a house. Often when people call the church looking for financial assistance at Christmas time, they may say, "It's just not right that the children won't have any Christmas." So we think - Christmas is for children. I wonder why that is, and is it justified?

1. Perhaps this idea received its start because Jesus was first a Baby and a Child. This speaks of His full humanity.

    Little is known about His childhood after the stories of His birth. We only know that he was taken to the temple for circumcision, and that the Three Kings visited and worshipped Him in Bethlehem. And we know that He was taken to Egypt, and then brought back to Nazareth, and that other children lost their lives at the cruel hands of Herod's soldiers. Matthew 2:18 - "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."

    We also know that He was taken again to the temple at age 12, and that He continued to grow "in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52)

    Here's the point, God chose to bring salvation to mankind through a man. But He wasn't dropped from the sky like a full grown "superman", He grew up among us, experiencing all of life, from infancy to adulthood.

2. Another good reason why Christmas is for children is that the children praised Him.

    Matthew 21:15, 16 - But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "`From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"

    Haven't you noticed how easy it is for children to worship the Lord? This makes it all the more tragic when they are not given the opportunity to do so.

3. Christmas is also for children because Jesus loved them.
    a. It is noted that children were included in the feeding of the multitudes Matthew 14:21 - The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

    b. Jesus healed, and even raised children from the dead. There was the boy brought to Jesus as He returned from the Mount of Transfiguration; the daughter of Jairus, and the son of the widow of Nain, both raised from death.

    c. Jesus blessed the children, and spoke a warning to those who might hinder or hurt them .

    Matthew 19:13,14 - Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

4. Most of the time we associate Christmas with giving presents, especially giving them to children. Well, Jesus also talked about giving gifts to children.

    Luke 11:13 - If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

    At Christmas time, and all year long, the Children of God need to receive this gift - the Holy Spirit. Is this request on your Christmas wish - prayer - list?

5. Christmas is for children because spiritual truths are understood by children, and in fact, they have something to teach us.

    Matthew 11:25 - At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

    Furthermore, Jesus said we must become like children.

    Matthew 18:3-6 - And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

    This of course may speak to us of children being dependent, trusting, joyful (even playful - not so seeeerious!), and innocent - and especially, according to the context, humble.

    But according to Jesus, this requires a conversion. Most of us have become accustomed to living in pride, self-satisfaction, and a sense that we're O.K. just as we are.

Conclusion:

    Our children are impacted by how we treat Christ - if we crucify Him, His blood will be on our children.

    Matthew 27:24, 25 - When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" (Note Hebrews 6:6)

    When Jesus was being led away to die, he said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children." Luke 23:28

    Yes, Christmas is for children - but we all are children.

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