Here are some thoughts on how we can articulate a plan for next year that will help us have the most fruitful year of ministry yet:

Several years ago I was in downtown Iloilo City. After doing what I needed to do, I got in a taxi. The driver asked where I wanted to go and I told him to go to Iloilo Baptist Church in Jaro. Most taxi drivers know our place, so I did not think much about it and began to work on some paperwork. After about 20 minutes, the taxi stopped. I had not been paying attention to where he was going, because of my work. Then I looked up, there I was inside the compound of the largest Roman Catholic Church in our region of the country, the Jaro Cathedral.

As Christians, our focus should not be on the many negatives that this broken world offers (and there are plenty if that is what you are looking for). The psalmist aptly states, “And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee” (Psalms 39:7). This Christmas let’s reflect on where our hope should be placed.

The story is told of a struggling community who called an open town meeting to discuss their financial straits. Included in the group of a couple dozen people at the meeting was a stranger. No one knew him, and no one paid him any attention. In fact, once when he tried to speak up, he was interrupted as the townspeople continued to hash out possible solutions. Soon the stranger left.

This sermon outline is downloadable at the bottom of the post. Title: God’s Christmas Tree

I remember as a teen hearing a preacher preach that we should never ask God “why?” I wish I could say that I clearly remember the text and context of the message he preached, but I don’t. One thing I can say is that I remember his drilling that central point home in my mind.

Did He choose leave Heaven’s glory, choose to become man through the virgin birth just so there would be a Christmas Day? Did He decide to come to earth to give us a holiday? A season of overspending and celebration? Did He want the human race to have a few days off work, have some fun in early winter?

It’s strange that the very time of year we celebrate “peace on earth” is one of the most frazzled and hectic. But Christmastime or not, many of us grind through our days with a heart empty of peace. The world is filled with overload of all kinds. But God’s children have been offered the peace that passes understanding.

Sermon outline: This is an abbreviated outline with the complete sermon downloadable at the bottom of the post.

To the actors in the original Christmas drama, Christmas was something far larger than a story. When Gabriel first saluted Mary with the glad tidings that she was selected to give birth to the Messiah, it was not only a dream come true; it was a complete life change.