A new year begins and so the old songs are put aside until another Christmas comes along.  But, wasn’t it the hope of Christmas that gave us a reason to sing … that put a new song in our hearts and not just on our lips? 

Singing That is Ceaseless

People of the Old Testament times looked forward to the coming Messiah.  Though Jesus still hadn’t come, they still found plenty of reasons to sing.  The psalmist spoke of a new song because of all the marvelous deeds, goodness, and salvation of the Lord and so wrote of ceaseless praise.

“At night His song is with me.” (Ps. 42:8)

“. . . that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Ps. 90:14)

“Sing to the Lord, praise his name … day after day.” (Ps. 96:2)

“I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” (Ps. 146:2)

We look back at His coming, what we call Christmas.  The theme of ceaseless singing continues.

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:19-20)

We read of angels singing in the end times about how the Lamb is worthy to exercise judgment (Rev. 5:9-14; 15:1-4).

Singing That is Comely

Singing is a means of praising God, of exalting Him, of expressing our joy and thanksgiving to Him. Because it points to the Lord, it is a beautiful thing.  — “How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him” (Ps. 147:1).  Though the calendar date is no longer Christmas, we still sing “Gloria, in Excelsis Deo” … Glory to God in the Highest!

Praising God through singing is not only becoming, it is beneficial.  It is good.

Singing praise brings believers together in unity as we join our voices together. (Col. 3:16)  So, we continue to sing “O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.”

Singing praise brings unbelievers to a recognition of their need for Him. (Ps. 40:3)  Our song continues, “Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing …”

Do you need to continue with the Christmas carols to sing praise to Him?  Of course not.  But, let’s remember to keep singing about Him and not get caught up in the despair and hopelessness around us.  The Lord has come!  The Lord will come again!

Gift-giving and receiving has long been a part of the Christmas tradition.  The very first Christmas gift, came in the form of a baby who was wrapped in swaddling clothes.  Try as we might to describe this gift, we will never fully be able to explain it.

This was a gift motivated by a love so wide, long, high, and deep that we will never fully understand, let alone describe, it. (Eph. 3:18)

This was a gift given once for all, a gift that keeps on giving and is for all who will receive it, difficult to understand and describe its all-sufficiency.  (Heb. 7:26-28; 10:10)

This was a gift given sacrificially for undeserving people, at a cost only One person could ever pay, something beyond our normal life experiences.  (Rom. 5:6-11)

This was a gift given without strings attached, a gift that can only be received through faith because it was given by grace, something our works-oriented brains have a difficult time wrapping around.  (Jn. 1:12-13; Eph. 2:8-9)

How do you respond to such an indescribable gift?  We can start with expressions of gratitude.
         Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:15)

Church Parties.   Work Parties.   Family Parties.
Many of us will do a lot of celebrating over the holiday season.  We’ll sing Christmas songs together, eat too much food, give presents, and be merry.  Even if you don’t have money to buy expensive gifts and fancy foods, you can still have some semblance of celebration.  It’s Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus!  Without Christmas there would be no Easter.  Without Easter (the death and resurrection of Jesus to pay the price for our salvation), we would have no reason for rejoicing.  (1 Cor. 15:14-19)

Enjoy time with family and friends but remember the greatest reason to party.  You see, it isn’t what you have or what you’ve done that brings the greatest joy … not even ministry accomplishments. 

Remember Jesus’ words to the disciples after a very successful ministry effort — “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven”  (Lk. 10:20).  Belonging to Him is the greatest reason to party.

In addition to your own salvation through Jesus, seeing others come to be found in Him is cause for great rejoicing. 

Jesus told parables of a lost sheep and a lost coin being found which He likened to the salvation of people, saying “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk. 15:7, 10).  Angels in heaven understand the greatest reason to party.

The father in the parable of the lost son had a party when his son returned home.  His brother did not share the same sentiment.  The father defended his stance saying, “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Lk. 15:32).

Christmas made it possible for our salvation and the salvation of the world.  

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Tim. 1:15)  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.  (1 Jn. 2:2)

Are you compelled by the greatest reason to party?

  with boughs of holly.”

Many of us will deck the halls, trim the tree, and hang the stockings with care.  Most of us rarely think about the customs behind the various Christmas decorations.  We just feel more festive with lights, bells, candles, and evergreens.  There is something about decking the halls that draws us into the holiday.

I can’t help but think about our own lives as Christians.  When people look at us, do they see the light of Jesus?  Do our lives pull them in, giving them a sense of anticipation and hope … wanting to also experience the joy of the Lord? 

Titus 2:9-10, speaking to slaves of that day, says:

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.  —- Or, as the King James Version says, “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”

You might not be a slave, but many of you have jobs.  Do you highlight or underscore the doctrine of God by the way you act and react in the workplace?  Does being a Christian look honorable on you?  Does your life pull people in to the Gospel or repel them?

Let’s remember what most needs to be adorned this Christmas.  Let’s “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”  That Savior came to earth 2000 years ago.  Is it obvious by the way you celebrate Christmas?  Is it obvious by the way you live the rest of the year?

The same is true spiritually.  God has taught us wonderful truths.  We know He is the answer.  We know our help and hope are found in Him.  Yet, without constant reminders, we can forget. This can be especially so during busy seasons of life, like the holidays.  We can get so caught up in what “we” must do during this time that we skip spending time alone with Him until we get through the busy patch. 

Our focus can be so scattered that we fail to turn to Him for direction and strength. But, we do need Jesus’ help at Christmas.  Holidays can affect our personal lives and they can also affect church life.

Maybe we should apply a similar approach of reminding ourselves as we do in other areas of life.

What are ways you can highlight or underscore the truths you need to remember during the busyness of the season?

Here are some ideas:  computer desktop backgrounds, pop up reminders on your computer, 3 by 5 cards strategically located, send yourself a phone message, etc.

Vary your approach as it is easy to soon not see what is constantly before us.  Highlight the truths most relevant for you.

What are some catch phrases you can use as reminders?

Keep in mind, however, that after some time, we can become immune to the significance of phrases we’ve heard repeatedly.  You’re undoubtedly familiar with catchy phrases like “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”  Let’s come up with something new each year.

What about using a to-do list or calendar?

If you are finding it hard to get into the Word or pray during the busy season, why not schedule it or put it on a list?  If those tools are used to remember to do what is important, then plan what truly is important!

Think reminders like this are too mundane for your spiritual life?  Check out the ways God encouraged the Israelites to use as reminders in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

What have you done, or what will you do, to remind yourself to keep focused on the Lord during the holidays, to turn to Him as the source of help and hope, to remain steadfast in your walk with Him?

In adding nativity sets to the children’s ministry section on the Christmas Ministry Resources page from our affiliate stores, I found quite a variety — fabric, finger puppet, stickers, magnetic, puppet glove, plastic/PVC, soft and squeezable, vinyl clings, and wooden.
I wanted to include nativities that could be used in children’s classes, or in the home, that would serve not just as touchable decorations but also visual aids or learning tools.   If I were to look for nativities for adults, I would add resin, glass, ceramic, metal, porcelain, along with possibly other kinds of materials.

Just like you will find some nativity sets constructed more suitably for toddlers, some for older children, and others for adults, so we must consider how to communicate in relevant ways to the different age levels. 

Think about people’s developmental needs as we approach the holiday season.  How can you present this Jesus in the manger in ways that are relevant to them?

1)  Early Childhood:  They need a sense of security as they look to people to care for their needs while beginning to exert a degree of independence and initiative.

Present to them this Jesus who came to earth as a baby, loved by God, and who grew up gaining favor with God and man and  showed others love.  If they feel His unconditional love they will learn to open their hearts to Him.

2)  Grade School:  They need a sense of success or competence in this industrious age level marked by curiosity, skill development, and performance.

Present to them this Jesus who came to earth as a baby but who grew in wisdom and did many wonderful things, the best of which was salvation.  If they study His life through His Word, they will become equipped to do good in life, to reach their potential in Him through His power.

3)  Junior High:  They need a sense of stability in this period of uncertainty with all the changes going on within them.

Present to them this Jesus who came to earth through a most peculiar set of circumstances and was not always understood as He grew and did the Father’s will. He kept doing the Father’s will regardless of how hard it was and how He felt.  If they learn to trust Him, He will help them navigate this turbulent time.

4)  Senior High:  They need a sense of identity as they transition into adulthood.

Present to them this Jesus who came to earth as a little baby though fully aware He was God.  As He grew, He did not let ego or peer direct His decisions but the Father.  If they discover who they are in Him, they will come to realize that it isn’t about what others think of them but what God thinks.

5)  Young Adults:  They need a sense of belonging and intimacy as they build relationships and learn to cope in a big world.

Present to them this Jesus who came to earth because God so loved the world and wanted to reconcile people to Himself.  Jesus knew His purpose, sought to accomplish His goals, yet remembered the people around Him and built relationships with them.  If they keep a relationship with Him their top priority, others pursuits will fall into place.

6)  Middle Aged Adults:  They need a sense of purpose as they begin to wonder if their life is really making a difference.

Present to them this Jesus who came to earth, with humble beginnings in the manger but didn’t stay there.  Rather, He went on to make a difference.  If they line up with Him, they too will live abundant and productive lives to the very end.

7)  Senior Aged Adults:  They need a sense of satisfaction and contentment, of fulfillment, with their lives, that they are leaving a legacy.

Present to them this Jesus who came to this earth to make a difference and so for the joy set before Him endured the cross, did not revile when reviled, but rather offered love and forgiveness.  If they continue to walk in Him, they too will live a life of integrity that others can look to as a role model.  If they have failed to walk faithfully, they can receive grace and forgiveness even now with Jesus’ challenge to “Go and sin no more.”

You can run any truth through these age level needs to increase relevancy.  If you don’t think too much about the difference these factors play in your students’ understanding and motivation, perhaps the Age Level Characteristics Resource from Ministry Tools Resource Center would be useful to you.  (The pages in that resource are included in a membership at TrainBibleTeachers.com under the individual age division pages.)