1. Why Christmas Matters?Philippians 2:5-11

2. Critical QuestionCan something be so familiar toyou that you do not understand itsreal meaning? 3. Rethinking Three Things AboutChristmas that will Make ADifference 4. 1. Rethinking the Relevance of Christmas:God chooses to be actively involved in myworld.You must have the same attitude thatChrist Jesus had. Though he was God,he did not think of equality with God assomething to cling to(Phil. 2:5-6, NEV) 5. 1. Rethinking the Relevance of Christmas:God chooses to be actively involved in myworld.When Jesus heard this he said to them, Thosewho are healthy dont need a physician, but thosewho are sick do. I have not come to call therighteous, but sinners.(Mark 2:17, NEV)We are all here because we are not all there! 6. 2. Rethinking the Reality of Christmas: Godunderstands my struggles.Instead, he gave up his divine privileges hetook the humble position of a slaveand was born as a human being. When heappeared in human form, he humbledhimself in obedience to God and died acriminals death on a cross.(Phil. 2:7-, NLT) 7. Christmas Vacation 8. Jesus came Incognito Gods D-Day! How is Jesus like Us? He was born like us. He made himselfnothing. (Phil. 2) He was tempted like us but he did not sin.(Hebrews) He suffered like us. (Matthew 26:38) 9. Romans 5:13, NLT Our Emancipation Proclamation!We can rejoice, too, when we run intoproblems and trials, for we know that theyhelp us develop endurance. And endurancedevelops strength of character, andcharacter strengthens our confident hope ofsalvation. And this hope will not lead todisappointment. For we know how dearlyGod loves us, because he has given us theHoly Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 10. 3. Rethinking the Reason for Christmas: Jesuscame to Die so I can be free.He humbled himself, by becomingobedient to the point of deatheven death on a cross! (Phil. 2:8, NEV)But God demonstrates his own love for usin this: While we were still sinners, Christdied for us.(Romans 5:8, NIV) 11. Jesus Christ Lifted the Heavy WeightHe personally carried our sinsin his body on the crossso that we can be dead to sinand live for what is right.By his woundsyou are healed.(I Peter 2:24, NLT) 12. Two Ways To Cope with the weight of Your SinPride- Self-Will Humility His-Will 13. A Key Question:What does it mean when the Angelsdeclare: For unto you this day is borna Savior, which is Christ the Lord! 14. Grace is the Freedom to ChooseThe past does not have to be your prison.You have a voice in your destiny. You havea say in your life. You have a choice in thepath you take.(Max Lucado) 15. Saving Private Ryan 16. Corrie Ten Boom"Who can add to Christmas? The perfectmotive is that God so loved the world.The perfect gift is that He gave His onlySon.The only requirement is to believe in Him.The reward of faith is that you shall haveeverlasting life."