12/21/25, Melrose Community Church, Sunday Service

This message challenges us to examine what Christmas truly means in our lives by contrasting two celebrations: 'X-mas' and Christmas. Without Christ, we're left with a potentially hollow holiday focused on presents, parties, and commercial excess—a celebration that circumstances can easily steal from us. But with Christ at the center, Christmas becomes an unshakeable celebration of God's greatest gift: His Son born in human flesh. The sermon draws us into Philippians 2, where Paul describes Jesus's incredible humility—how He emptied Himself, took on human form, and became obedient to death on a cross. This passage reminds us that Christmas isn't just about a baby in a manger; it's about the eternal God stepping into our darkness to become our light. We're invited to reflect on four critical areas: the holiday itself, the virgin conception, Christ's death, and His resurrection. In each area, we see the stark difference between a Christless celebration and one anchored in the reality of Immanuel—God with us. The challenge is personal and penetrating: Are we celebrating Christ-mas or just X-mas? Are we looking for opportunities to share the hope that makes all the difference? Like Bob Evans experiencing sight for the first time after 51 years of blindness, we're called to remove our spiritual blinders and truly see the beauty and wonder of what Christ has done for us.

Discussion Questions:

• What did you think of Christmas before you were saved?

• What do you think about it now?

• What happens when you take Christ out of a holiday meant to celebrate Him?

• What do you have if you take Christ out of Christianity?

• Consider other areas of everyday life and how they look without Christ as opposed to how they look with Christ.

• Can you become so familiar with or accustomed to something that you overlook its beauty or significance?

• Homework: Find an opportunity to share the real meaning of Christmas with someone this week?