1. YOU ARE TOO BUSY WITH OTHER THINGS- read Luke 2.7- the first person to miss Christmas was the innkeeper who was too busy and preoccupied. Busyness can lead to excluding Jesus!
2. YOU ARE AFRAID OF THE CLAIMS OF THE LORD ON YOUR LIFE-read Matthew 1.2- King Herod was afraid and jealous of another King. The arrival of Jesus stakes a true claim on your life.
3. YOU CAN'T BE BOTHERED-read Matthew 2.5- The priests and the scribes knew about Jesus but couldn't be be bothered to visit him. Their self-righteousness fooled themselves into thinking they didn't need a Messiah. Apathy and complacency mean many people today miss out on the real meaning of Christmas.
4. YOU THINK YOU'VE HEARD IT ALL BEFORE-read LUke 2.39-40- The people of Nazareth thought they knew all about Jesus and his family. Familiarity can strangle wonder, awe, and faith. Hard-heartedness from thinking you know everything about Christmas is dangerous!
5. YOU ARE WORSHIPPING SOMETHING ELSE- the Romans loom large in the Christmas story but because they worshipped other gods and idols they missed the point! Whilst Christmas is a great season, the real King of Kings and Lord of Lords is surrounded by man-made idols. Make sure your worship is headed in the right direction.
6. YOU ARE TOO RELIGIOUS-read through Luke 2- the shepherds on the hills spotted the Saviour, but the vast majority of people in Jerusalem, not too far from Bethlehem, and the surrounding areas, missed out because they were too busy obeying the rules and regulations of their religion. Don't miss out on Christmas by being religious!
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