“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”– Luke 2:11
Like most people I have a lot of fond memories of Christmas as a child. It was my dad’s favorite day of the year. Every year he and I would combine a hunting trip with a search for what he considered to be the perfect Christmas tree. When he decided on the one he liked most we would shoot it down with our shotguns, tie it to the top of the car and deliver it to mom. That was the end of dad’s work on the tree. Then sis and I would help mom decorate. We didn’t have all the ornaments folks have today so we would string popcorn on a string and wrap it around the tree and make popcorn balls to hang from the tree. The last step was to put the star on top, and it was a special star. I don’t know where mom got it but she had a large white star trimmed in red that we put on the tree as long as I can remember.

I’m reminded of that every Christmas or when I hear mention of what some call “The Christmas star” or “the star of Bethlehem” that guided the wise men after the birth of Christ. Of course for some the “star” of Christmas is something else— Santa Claus, gifts, mom’s home cooked meal, family, or friends, etc.– whatever they enjoy the most. But the real star of Christmas is Christ! He is the main attraction. If you’re going to celebrated Christmas keep your thoughts on Christ. It is upon Him, the light of the world, that our attention should be focused– not only on Christmas, but each and every day of the year. So lets remember that Christ is the cause of our celebration. Remembering who He is and why He came gives us a reason to rejoice regardless of what our situation is. Let us ever be “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” ( Heb. 12:2). There isn’t anything we can’t endure if we keep our eyes on the Savior rather than the situation. Merry Christmas! -HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”- Gal. 4:4-5

When a baby is born we often wonder what life will hold for the child. As parents we sometimes have certain hopes of what the child might become, or at least what will be best for them. We have life on our mind, not death. And it usually isn’t long before children start thinking about what they want to be when they grow up. Even though we all know we are going to die, no one thinks of that as their purpose in life. No one that is but Jesus!

While there’s a lot of debate about how much Mary knew about the impending death of Jesus, there can be no doubt about what Jesus knew. He came into this world with death on His mind. He was born to die. Think about what Jesus could have done or become had he chosen to do so. With His wisdom and ability he could have become a king or accomplished anything he desired, but he was born to die and he knew it ( John 18:4). He was, as promised in Isa. 9:6, the Son “given” to be the sacrifice for man’s sin. He came into the world aware of His purpose and he was fully committed to the Father’s plan for His life. He lived in the shadow of the cross. It stands to reason that every tree would remind him of the cross. Every sacrifice offered was a reminder that as the Lamb of God He would be offered as the sacrifice for all. He knew every detail of what awaited him and yet he never wavered from the course appointed for him. And he did so with joy. he could say, “I delight to do thy will, O my God” ( Psa. 40:2). Not for one moment did he ever resent or resist the Father’s will.

It was not His lovely life, tremendous teaching, mighty miracles, or excellent example, but His death that delivers us. It was by means of His death for our sin that we are forgiven, spared from wrath, and receive everlasting life. Without His sacrifice everything about Christmas would be meaningless. He was born to die that we might live! – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”– John 1:11-12)
Last Sunday I preached about “God’s Glorious Gift” and I ended the message by telling the story I read about. It took place many years ago when a package was sent from England to a South African town. The man to whom it was sent refused to pay the delivery fee and for the next 14 years it sat in the Post Office where it was used as a footstool. Finally the man died and the box was put up at auction with other unclaimed items. Out of curiosity a man bid on it and got it for a low price. When he opened it he was greatly surprised to find several thousand pounds in English bank notes. Because the man to whom it was sent refused to pay the delivery charge he missed a fortune!

We hear a lot about giving, but some folks need a lesson on receiving. Think back over your life and imagine all of the gifts you’ve ever received unopened in a huge pile. Think of all you would have been deprived of had you never opened those gifts. You could stand there starring at them, singing about them, or even take a picture of them, but none of them would be of any benefit to you- regardless of the value within. That would have been foolish. But there is something even more foolish than that.

The most foolish thing anyone could do is to refuse God’s glorious gift– His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no delivery fee for that gift. Jesus paid it all. All that is required of you is to accept the gift by faith. It is the gift of eternal life, Christ– God’s Son and man’s Savior. Jesus is God’s gift to you, yet some have gone year after year without receiving Him. That deprives you and disappoints God and determines your destiny. Why do you even celebrate Christmas if you refuse to receive God’s gift? The truth is, you can’t truly celebrate Christmas until you have received Christ. Christmas is about God coming to you, now you need to come to Him. Receive God’s glorious gift and be saved. I pray that you will do it today! — HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they  came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after  the name of his father. And his mother answered and  said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said  unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this  name. And they made signs to his father, how he would  have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and  wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.”— Luke 1:59-63

Knowing that God has a purpose and plan for each of us makes life meaningful. And the Christmas story serves as a great reminded of that fact. It teaches us is that God has a plan and that He uses people to carry it out. While Christmas centers on Christ, as it should, there were many people involved in His coming to earth. Here we are reminded of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and his parents–all played a role and all were important. The plan was set in motion when Gabriel announced to Zacharias that he and Elisabeth would have a son and that his name was to be called John.

When the time came to name the child some of the people opposed the name. It appears that they first protested to Elisabeth and then to Zacharias. Both refused to compromise and stuck to the plan God had revealed. Considering the difficult ministry that lay ahead for John, their example was greatly needed. He certainly was told of this event and if ever a child would need a lesson in courage it was him. There is no way to over estimate the value of his parents example. All three of these were a part of God’s plan and all were willing to fulfill their role. But what about you? Are you willing to do God’s will?

Success may be defined as discovering and doing the will of God. It might be difficult and dangerous, but that doesn’t excused from duty. Doing God’s will takes commitment. There will be times when people will question you, oppose you, or try to resist you, but you must not quit. Playing our part in God’s plan is serious business and we must not fail. Whatever work He calls you to, do it with unwavering loyalty and a cheerful attitude. Do it out of love and for His glory. What you do might appear unimportant to others and you might not even see the significance of it, but it is important none the less. Do it!—HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

The word miracle is often used in connection with Christmas. There is even a movie called “The Christmas Miracle”. And it is no wonder. There were many miracles associated with the birth of Christ. There were numerous fulfilled prophecies concerning the time, place, manner, etc. of His birth. There was Gabriel’s announcement to Zechariah, the annunciation to Mary, the revelation to Joseph, and the virgin birth itself. But the greatest miracle of all is described in John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

The greatest miracle of Christmas was the incarnation– God coming to earth in the form of man! Who can understand such a thing as that? He who made all things (vs. 3) is made flesh. He who is eternal comes to earth– the Creator as a creature of His own making. He condescends to earth and communes with man as a man. Jesus said, ” he that hath seen me hath seen the Father” ( John 14:9).

John 1:11 says, “He came”. Thank God He did. What if He had not come? We would be without help or hope. But “He came” just as He promised, punctually, to the very place, and in the manner He predicted to the people He promised. “He came” to man, as a man, and for man. And in this we find the greatest Christmas miracle of all. That is why He is called “Emmanuel”– God with us! To think that God is so concerned about us, when we are so unconcerned about Him, that He would come to us that He might die for us that we could come to Him is beyond amazing. It is the glory of grace!

When you recognize the greatest Christmas miracle and receive God’s greatest gift you cannot help but to have a Merry Christmas, and joy everyday of the year. That’s exactly what God wants and I wish for each and everyone of you.–HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346