“‘Tis the season of Giving,” it says on the board in front of one of our local pharmacies.

But it is not only the season of Giving, it is also the season of Receiving.

Yes, it surely is. This morning the courier brought us a big parcel. So far as I know that is not the only parcel we have received so far. And there are still 5 more days until Christmas.

Christmas is the annual commemoration by Christians of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the BIBLE it says, “TO US A SON IS GIVEN”.

But let us read the context in the Prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament. If you are still looking for a Christmas Sermon, here you find a beautiful Sermon Outline:

“FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, TO US A SON IS GIVEN, AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ON HIS SHOULDERS.

Isaiah 9:6-7

Intr.:

And he will be called

“POWER TOOLS”

1. Wonderful Counselor,

2. Mighty God,

3. Everlasting Father,

4. Prince of Peace.

End:

Of the increase of his government …”

A season of Giving is also a season of Receiving.

We have just read that God the Son is given.

Receive Him. He is the perfect gift.

In the Gospel of John it says in chapter one verse twelve:

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God –“

… at TE AHU in Kaitaia. It is a combined churches Christmas Service on Sunday (10am). Eight churches are taking part.

TE Ahu Community Hall

It is 200 years since the GOSPEL arrived in New Zealand.

Marsden Cross, where the first Christian Service was held

Picture / Doug Plummer