When you try your best, but you don′t succeed

When you get what you want, but not what you need

When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep

Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can′t replace

When you love someone, but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?

Coldplay

Fix You

Maybe the reason you’re stressing about Christmas is…

• "Commercial Christmas" has made it all feel a bit lame
• The rushing around has made it all feel less like joy and more like labor.
• The marriage stress (or the divorce) is just too much.
• The depression has set in and you feel hopeless.
• The grief is just too overwhelming.

The real story of Christmas doesn’t start in a manger, it starts in a garden.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord

Luke 2:10-11

How valuable Jesus is AS THE ANSWER depends on the QUESTION you're ASKING.

If Jesus is JUST AN ANSWER HE CAN’T BE THE ANSWER.

If Jesus is ONE OPTION in a field of OTHER OPTIONS, 

Jesus isn't THE ANSWER,  Jesus is AN ANSWER

The worst thing about sin is that our sin SEPARATED US FROM GOD

The problem isn’t the severity of our sin, the problem is the presence of our sin

God is HOLY. The only way to have a relationship with a HOLY God is HOLINESS.

The most kind and gracious thing God did for us was give us the free will to choose to love Him.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 2:8-9

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

Luke 2:10

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16