1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
OPEN:
For as long as I can remember, I've heard people complain that Christmas is too commercial. Even in the movie "A Miracle on 34th Street", which was filmed more than 50 years ago, one of the characters complains that most people are too caught up in the material aspect of the holiday. It has probably always been this way. As long as Christmas has been celebrated, I'm sure there have been people warning us about the dangers of it becoming too commercial.
During Advent this year we'll try to get past that. Today we're beginning a series called "A Simple Christmas." For the next few weeks we're going to look at ways we can make this a Christ-centered Christmas—one in which we grow closer to him and connect with our loved ones on a deeper level; one in which we learn to avoid the craziness that often plagues our lives in December, and in which we discover, in the process, what Christmas is really all about.
Today we're going to talk specifically about connecting with our family and friends. If you want to get the most out of this Christmas, then forget (for awhile) what you need to buy and what you need to do, and spend some time focusing on the people you will be seeing during the holidays. The first step in celebrating a simple Christmas is to connect on a deeper level with the people in your life.
Our text is from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica. They were a group of believers whom Paul loved very much. In this letter, he pours out his heart to them. The same way that he shares his heart with that group of Christians in Thessalonica is the way we need to share our hearts with the people in our lives. These four verses in 1 Thessalonians 3 show us a Christmas list (three lists, actually) that we can make for our family and friends. Let's take a look at them.
First of all, to begin the process of experiencing a simple Christmas...
I. Make a list of the most important people in your life.
Your wife, your husband, your children, your parents, your brothers and sisters, your friends, and on and on. Sometime during the week, take the time to make a list of all these people. And then—before the holidays are over—make it a point to do two things:
1. Thank God for bringing them into your life, and
2. Tell them how much they mean to you.
This is what Paul did. In verse 9, Paul says...
(v. 9) How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of God because of you?
Paul was grateful for his relationship to the believers in Thessalonica, and he expressed his gratitude to God, and he expressed his appreciation to them. He took the time to say "Thank you...I appreciate you...You fill my life with joy."
This seems like such a simple thing to do, but I would dare to say that many of us don't say these things often enough. If you want to establish a deeper connection with the people you love, make an effort to express your appreciation.
If you're an adult, chances are it's been a very long time since you've told your brothers or sisters or mom or dad how much you love and appreciate them. And if you've been married more than a decade, chances are it's been awhile since you've told your spouse. So, tell them now. This Christmas is a good time to make up for lost time. You don't have to be melodramatic about it; you only have to tell them how you feel about them in plain, simple language. In fact, you can use Paul's words: How can I ever thank God enough for all the joy you have brought into my life?
So, make a list of the list of the people you love, and make an effort to tell them. Secondly...
II. Make a list of intangible gifts you can give to each one.
Paul said,
(v. 10) Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
He wanted to meet with his friends in Thessalonica and build up their faith. He knew at that particular time that was what they needed most.
As you think of all the people you love, take some time to think about something you can give to each one—something they really need. I'm not talking about X-Boxes, or HD TV's, or pot-holders, or hand-towels for the guest bathroom—I'm talking about something much more personal. Something non-material. Something intangible. There is something you can give to each one on your list—a word of encouragement, a smile, a hug, a pep-talk, an apology, a compliment.
Ask yourself, "What does this person need most? What can I say to them? What can I do for them. How can I give them a lift?"
This year, in addition to the gifts that you buy for the people you love, make an effort to give each one something intangible—something that tells them how special they are to you. Thirdly...
III. Make a 'wish list' for each one, and share that list with them and with God.
I use the term "wish list" because it is, after all, Christmas. What I really mean is a prayer list. This is what Paul did for the Thessalonicans. He said,
(v. 12-13) May the Lord make you love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as our does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Paul is saying, "What I want for you, dear friends, is that you grow in love, and strength, and holiness."
Think of the people on your list. What do you want for each one? Obviously, you want what is best for them. Just by telling them this, you will strengthen their hearts and encourage them.
There are few things in life as pleasant as hearing someone say they wish the best for you. This holiday season, I encourage you to make it a point to tell each one of the people on your list what your prayer for them is.
The greatest gift you can give anyone is to pray for them—for a number of reasons. One obvious reason is that prayer works. God answers prayer. When you pray for someone, God begins to move in that person's life.
If you'll take the time to pray for the people in your life, two things will happen.
1.You'll strengthen that person.
2.You'll strengthen your relationship to that person.
CLOSE:
Look at the list of the people God has placed in your life— the people you love the most; the people who bring you the most joy. They will be an integral part of your Christmas this year. How you relate to them will determine what kind of Christmas you have.
If you want to have a great Christmas—if you want to go beyond all the holiday hype and experience the joy of a simple Christmas—then make an effort to connect on a deeper level with the people you love. Take the opportunity this Christmas season to tell them what they mean to you, and give thanks to God for them. In addition to toys and trinkets, make the effort to give them something intangible and meaningful. And most of all, create a prayer list especially for them, and share it with them and with God.
One of the greatest gifts God has given us is each other—our family and friends. Let's enjoy these gifts; let's celebrate a simple Christmas together.
(Dr. Dane Fowlkes, pastor)
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