Christmas Celebrations in June/July!

Why is it appropriate to celebrate Christmas in June/July? What happened 6 months before Jesus was born? John the Baptist was born. What was John the Baptist's work? He prepared the way for Jesus. He said about the Lord Jesus: John 3:30 “He must become greater and I must become less.”

In Europe it is very interesting that in June after the longest day the days become shorter and darker until December and then the days become longer and brighter. John's message was that he was not the Christ, but was sent ahead of Him. His light has to become less and less as the days from June to December and then when Christ was born, The light of Jesus must be in our lives like the days from December onwards who become longer and brighter!!

Let us look at my June/July Christmas table setting. I decorate my table with 5 colours so that I can explain the Gospel message to you.

1. Gold – round golden plate: God is our Creator– Gen. 1:1; He is a Holy God who hates sin; Rev. 4:8 and Isaiah 6:3; God is a God of love– John 3:16. God is in Heaven.
2. Black: black heart or black place mat: Rom. 3:23 says all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. Our sin separates us from God. Sin is everything that we do, say or think that is not glorifying God.
3. Red: Red cross or red tablecloth or red flower: Jesus came to earth as our Saviour. He was sent by God to pay for our sins on the cross. 1 Cor. 15:3-4.
4. White: white heart or white tablecloth: John 1:12 says that everyone who acknowledges that he/she is a sinner; who believes in the Lord Jesus and calls on the Lord for salvation, will be saved.
5. Green: green tree or leaves: The moment you become a child of God, it is important to grow spiritually. To grow you need to read your Bible, pray, witness to others about your faith, confess your sins and have fellowship with other believers. 2 Pet. 3:18.

Two gifts:

1. The gift that we received from God because of His grace is John.3:16 – His Son. Jesus took away God's wrath, He paid the full price and we receive everlasting life!
2. The second gift is what we can give our Holy God when we are in Christ. We can give ourselves. This is the only gift we can give God. Ask Him to help you everyday to live in such a way that you will make Him proud! That you will have a relationship with Him and put Him first in your life.