Chill Christmas – 2 – Navigating Holiday Chaos

Chill Christmas Bumper?

 

Welcome to Redemption Church of Plano Tx. My name is Chris Fluitt!

 

Merry Christmas!

Chill Christmas Title

 

We are in the 2nd week of our message Series – Chill Christmas.

 

Last week we told you…

 

DO NOT breathe life into traditions…
Choose traditions that breathe life into you.

 

We talked about the hope that lights up dark times.

 

Today I want to talk to you about Navigating Holiday Chaos.

 

Navigating Holiday Chaos

 

Is your schedule chaotic?
Thank you for being here today…

 

Which picture does your family look like?
Family Picture

 

Which picture do you feel like?

 

Is this a peaceful time? …and why not?

World: Constantly at war.

In 2024
-56 ongoing national conflicts.
-involving 92 nations.

Last year- 162,000 war deaths
This year’s numbers will be similar.

Even stable democratic nations like South Korea are lacking peace. This week that National government experienced a coup, and declared martial law.

 

Here in the US we are not at peace.
No “weapons live” active war… but lacking peace.

 

-Political divide (Holiday withdraw)
-Relationship struggles

-$$$ – “The average American is expected to spend $1,778 per person.” (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holiday-spending-forecast/)
-Youth – School & social media – NO ONE FITS IN – BULLY ONE ANOTHER.

-Mental & physical health

 

Family Picture

Chances are good that you are not the peaceful family in this picture…

 

Chances are you are stressed out, burned out, and feeling left out.

 

And yet the Bible says this about the Christmas season…

 

Luke 2:14
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 

Other translations “Peace on Earth, Good will to men.”

 

Christmas should be marked with Peace… but what exactly does that mean?

 

Does peace mean…
-No chaos?
-No more wars?
-No more $$ problems?

-No more relationship struggles?

 

PEACE does not mean any of this. News to you?
 

Rethink Peace
 

At the Birth of Jesus the Angel’s declared “PEACE ON EARTH…”  BUT the the world Jesus was born into was not perfect… but broken.
 

There was still chaos…
…darkness
…wars
…murder & death
…poverty
…relationship issues
 

Let’s rethink peace.
Peace does NOT mean problem free

 

Even though the Light of Jesus came… still evil and darkness.

Jesus was born in the middle of a war torn nation, under the occupation of a brutal empire called Rome.

Jesus was born, and a self made “king” Herod started killing all the young boys in order to protect his power.

 

Jesus was born, and yet still poverty was around… and racism… and prejudice… and sexism…

 

Jesus was born and his mother Mary was still thought of scandalously because of the miraculous birth.

 

Let’s rethink peace.

You can have problems and still have peace.

 

This is why the angel declared peace in the middle of chaos.

 

 

What is peace?
How do you define it?
What if our definition is differently from God’s definition?

 

Shalom (šālôm) – Completeness

 

Peace is most often used to convey Completeness… wholeness… not lacking…

 

That is probably a different definition for us.
That is likely the definition we need.

 

Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 

When we call Jesus our PRINCE OF PEACE… we are saying that He is the ruler, the authority, the leader… that makes us whole and complete.

 

This season is not PEACEFUL because we are always looking for one more thing…

 

Imagine if we could say and truly mean that we have EVERYTHING WE NEED. That would be peaceful. Not chaotic.

 

This is why Jesus came. He came to provide EVERYTHING you need.

His life and example showed that He was always providing everything people needed.

Jesus wants to provide all that you need… but we must make a choice.

 

Jesus is either A PIECE of your life, or…
Jesus is THE PEACE of your life.
 

More than word play… this is true.

 

If we aren’t careful Jesus will just be a piece…

Of our holiday celebration…
Of our schedule…
Of our focus…

If Jesus is just A PIECE then you will still need more pieces…

 

If Jesus is THE PEACE then you have everything you need.

 

Family Picture PEACE PIECE

 

A piece or THE PEACE?

 

In the Christmas story the Angels told the Shepherds – Peace has come to Earth.

The peace they are talking about is not…

-Temporary end to war.
-Less conflict.
-Less stress and chaos.

 

No they are saying the Jesus, the prince of peace, has come to Earth.

 

What do we do with this info?

 

Easy Application

1. Just Say No

-Over-commitment is chaos.
-Guard your time and prioritize what truly matters.
-Try this… DO NOT DO THINGS YOU DO NOT WANT TO DO.

 

2. Stick to a Budget

-Avoid overspending, especially on credit cards.
-Start a Christmas fund for next year asap.

 

3. Be Realistic

-Life isn’t a Hallmark movie.
 

4. Pray Before Entering the Room

-Pray the PEACE of God.
-Change the room.

 

Jesus is either A PIECE of your life, or…
Jesus is THE PEACE of your life.

 

Have you been focusing on all the pieces of this holiday season?

Take a moment to focus on the reason the Angel’s declared Peace on Earth.

Call to Action

1. Focus on the Savior, Not the Season

-Take time each day to reflect on Jesus.

2. Choose Peace Over Pieces

-Feel anxious? Take a deep breath and choose peace.
-Tell someone else about the difference PEACE makes.
3.  Pray & Worship Colossians 2:10

 -“in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”