Sunday Reflex 12-13-09

Yesterday we kicked off our “Simply Christmas” series @mtnlakechurch, and it was just another awesome day! Here are are a few reflections:

• The band did a GREAT job kicking off the series with a blend of Contemporary and traditional Christmas music.  It was REALLY GOOD.  GREAT JOB, BAND!
• We’re talking about recapturing the beautiful simplicity of Christmas many of us experienced as children. I think more CHILDREN connect Christmas with Jesus’ bday, than adults, do!
• Anna Ward, Chad and Autumn’s daughter did a GREAT job reading a selection of the Christmas story.
• One of the goals during this series is to infuse some new meaning into some of the simple Christmas symbols and images we see every year around Christmas.  Specifically during this series, we’ll  going to talk about The Christmas Star; Christmas Gifts; and the Christmas  Tree (on Christmas Eve…WOW. Don’t miss this one…).
• The message was REALLY simple.
• By announcing Jesus’ birth to people outside Jerusalem with a STAR, I believe God was being very intentional. Every element of the Christmas story is VERY intentional!
• The Christmas star STOOD OUT. It was distinctive; It was unique; It was different. It stood in contrast to the darkness around it and made the sky more beautiful. What a beautiful picture of what our lives  look like as Christ followers! We ought to STAND OUT from the darkness! I shared stats that indicated, however, that MOST Christians in America aren’t standing out like we could or should (see the msg online and I might blog on this later…).
• The Christmas star SHOWED THE WAY. It pointed the way to Jesus!  What a beautiful picture of God’s dream and vision for our lives! 
• God is really speaking in our services these days. God is speaking to MANY PEOPLE. I feel it. I hear you talking about it. I LOVE being part of a church where God speaks every single week!
• Closed the service by singing Matt Redman’s “Shine”: May this be our prayer this Christmas!

Lord we have seen the rising sun, awakening the early dawn,
And we´re rising up to give you praise.
Lord we have seen the stars and moon, see how they shine,
They shine for you,
And You´re calling us to do the same.
So we rise up with a song, and we rise up with a cry
And we´re giving you our lives.
We will shine like stars in the universe,
Holding out Your truth in the darkest place.
We´ll be living for Your glory,
Jesus we´ll be living for Your glory.
We will burn so bright with Your praise O God,
And declare Your light to this broken world.
We´ll be living for Your glory,
Jesus we´ll be living for Your glory.
Like the sun so radiantly
Sending light for all to see,
Let your holy church arise
Exploding into life,
Like a supernova´s light,
Set your holy church on fire;
We will shine.
© 2006 Sparrow

Comments

[Steven Thiltgen]

Standing out from the darkness hit me like a ton of bricks...where did you get those stats? I'd love to see more blogging from you on this! Thanks for the message and hope you rocked Egypt with the team

Steve