“The Heart of Christmas”

Introduction:
- Christmas, the most eagerly anticipated season, is celebrated by many for va
rious reasons—thanksgiving for the year, quality time with family, or a much-
needed rest.
- Yet, amidst these diverse motivations, it is crucial to uncover the true meanin
g of Christmas and understand why we partake in its celebration. Delving int
o the essence of this season reveals who truly is the heart of Christmas.

I. What is The Heart of Christmas?

A. The Heart
- One of the meanings given by the Cambridge Dictionary for the word ‘Hear
t’ goes like: “The central or most important part” (of a matter). That’s
how we come to the term “Let’s get to the heart of the matter”.
- Another description of the term “the heart of the matter” by The Free Dicti
onary goes like: “The most important, basic or fundamental essence or el
ements of an issue or matter at hand.”

B. The Christmas
- According to the definition from Oxford Dictionary, ‘Christmas’ is the ann
ual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on December 25 in the
Western Church.

C. The Heart of Christmas

- Simply, the Heart of Christmas is the most important reason for our celebr
ation. It refers to the central, essential, and most meaningful aspect of the ho
liday season.

II. What are The Heart of Christmas?

Now, we will know what is at the Heart of Christmas and Who is the Heart of Christ
mas. Furthermore, what and who are the reasons for this season.
A. Giving
- Giving is at the Heart of Christmas.
- Christmas is a season for giving, whether it is in the form of gifts, money, tim
e or even love, as exemplified by the Missionary and also the Magi in

Matthew 2:11- Pagpasok sa bahay, nakita nila ang bata sa piling ni Maria na kanyang ina.
Nagpatirapa sila at sinamba ang bata. Inihandog din nila sa kanya ang mga dala nilang ginto,
insenso at mira.

- At the same time we are encouraged to be givers, knowing that Jesus said,
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Like the missionary
who gave of his love and received an unexpected reward, when we give, it is a
mazing how God blesses us back in return, as I have often experienced!
- Let’s remember that on the first Christmas morn, God gave us His very best!
- Christmas mirrors God's ultimate act of giving — the gift of His Son.

1 John 4:9- This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his only Son into the wo
rld to give us life through him.
Inihayag ng Diyos ang kanyang pag-ibig sa atin nang isugo niya sa mundo ang kan
yang kaisa-isang Anak upang magkaroon tayo ng buhay sa pamamagitan niya.
John 3:16- Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that eve
ryone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.

- In the season of giving, let's embrace the joy of selfless generosity, reflecting
the love of Christ.

B. Hope:
- Hope is at the Heart of Christmas.
 - Christmas is a time we remind ourselves of the hope we have in Christ Jesus
because Jesus’ birth brought the Hope we all need.
- This hope is not merely a wishful desire, but a confident expectation rooted i
n the promises of God.
- As we celebrate Christmas, let's anchor our hearts in the enduring hope that
Christ offers.
- The hope born on that holy night is a beacon guiding us through life's challen
ges and uncertainties. It's a hope that goes beyond temporary joys and diffic
ulties, providing a firm foundation for our faith.
- May this Christmas be a time of rekindling that profound hope within us. As w
e reflect on the birth of Jesus, let's renew our trust in the One who is the sour
ce of true and unwavering hope.

1 Peter 1:3- Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has grea
t mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. This new life brings us a liv
ing hope through Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death.
Pasalamatan natin ang Diyos at Ama ng ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo. Dahil sa laki
ng habag niya sa atin, tayo'y binigyan niya ng isang panibagong buhay sa pamama
gitan ng muling pagkabuhay ni Jesu-Cristo. Ito ang nagbigay sa atin ng isang buhá
y na pag-asa

Psalms 39:7 So, Lord, what hope do I have? You are my hope!
Kung ganoon, Panginoon, nasaan ba ang pag-asa? Pag-asa ko'y nasa iyo, sa iyo ko
nakikita.

Romans 15:13- I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and
peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow
out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Puspusin nawa kayo ng Diyos na siyang bukal ng pag-asa, at nawa ay pagkalooban
niya kayo ng kagalakan at kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng inyong pananampalat
aya, upang mag-umapaw ang inyong pag-asa sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan
ng Espiritu Santo.

C. Joy:
- Joy is at the Heart of Christmas.
- The shepherds experienced great joy at the news of Jesus' birth. Likewise, ou
r hearts can find unshakable joy in Christ, transcending circumstances.
- Similarly, in our lives, the joy found in Christ is not contingent on external circ
umstances. It's a deep-seated and unshakable joy that goes beyond fleeting
happiness. The birth of Jesus represents a source of everlasting joy, a joy that
remains steadfast in the face of life's challenges.
Philippians 4:4 encourages believers with these words: “Rejoice in the Lord alwa
ys. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Magalak kayong lagi sa Panginoon. Inuulit ko, magalak kayo!

- This joy is not rooted in fleeting pleasures but is anchored in the enduring pre
sence of Christ in our lives.
- As we celebrate Christmas, let's reflect on the shepherds' joy and recognize t
hat our hearts can find the same unshakable joy in Christ. This joy is not depe
ndent on perfect circumstances but arises from a profound relationship with
the One who brings eternal joy. Embracing this joy allows us to navigate life
with resilience, knowing that our ultimate source of joy is found in the timele
ss message of Christmas.

Luke 1:14 (NIV): "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice becaus
e of his birth.”
14 Ikaw ay matutuwa at magiging maligaya. Marami ang magagalak sa kanyang p
agsilang
Luke 2:10-11 (NIV): "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you goo
d news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Sav
ior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'”
Ngunit sinabi sa kanila ng anghel, “Huwag kayong matakot! Ako'y may dalang ma
gandang balita para sa inyo na magdudulot ng malaking kagalakan sa lahat ng tao .
11 Isinilang sa inyo ngayon sa bayan ni David ang Tagapagligtas, ang Cristong Pa
nginoon.
D. Peace:
- Peace is at the Heart of Christmas.
- Amidst the chaos of the world, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Let's seek and ex
perience the peace that only He can provide, bringing calm to our lives.
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) beautifully captures this aspect of Jesus: “For to us a child is bor
n, 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.”
Sapagkat isinilang ang isang sanggol na lalaki para sa atin. Ibibigay sa kanya ang p
amamahala;at siya ay tatawaging Kahanga-hangang Tagapayo, Makapangyarihan
g Diyos, Walang Hanggang Ama, Prinsipe ng Kapayapaan.
- During the Christmas season, let's embrace the opportunity to draw near to t
he Prince of Peace, allowing His calming presence to bring serenity to our live
s. In doing so, we can navigate the complexities of life with a peace that goes
beyond external situations, fostering a sense of inner calm and well-being th
at originates from our relationship with Jesus.
Philippians 4:1, 7 My dear brothers and sisters, I love you and want to see you. Yo
u bring me joy and make me proud of you. Continue following the Lord as I have to
ld you. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard ove
r all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human m
inds.
Kaya nga, mga kapatid kong minamahal at pinananabikan, aking kagalakan at kar
angalan, sa ganitong paraan ay magpakatatag kayo sa inyong pamumuhay na nak
augnay sa Panginoon. . 7 At ang kapayapaan ng Diyos na hindi kayang maunawaan ng tao
ang siyang mag-iingat sa inyong puso at pag-iisip dahil sa inyong pakikipag-isa kay Cristo
Jesus.

E. Love:
- Love is at the Heart of Christmas.
- At its core, Christmas is a celebration of His love. Let's emulate this love by ex
tending kindness, forgiveness, and compassion to one another.
- The very essence of this season mirrors the extraordinary love of God, who se
nt His Son as the ultimate expression of love for humanity.
1 John 4:9 (NIV) beautifully encapsulates this love: “This is how God showed his l
ove among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live thro
ugh him.”
Inihayag ng Diyos ang kanyang pag-ibig sa atin nang isugo niya sa mundo ang kan
yang kaisa-isang Anak upang magkaroon tayo ng buhay sa pamamagitan niya.

- In the spirit of Christmas love, let's strive to cultivate a heart of compassion a

nd forgiveness, recognizing that the love we share with others is a tangible re
flection of the love God has showered upon us. As we celebrate the birth of Je
sus, may our lives become a testament to the transformative power of His lov
e, influencing our relationships and interactions throughout the Christmas se
ason and beyond.

John 13:34-35 “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each
other just as I loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love
each other.”
“Isang bagong utos ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo ngayon: magmahalan kayo! Kung p
aano ko kayo minahal, gayundin naman, magmahalan kayo. 35 Kung kayo'y may
pagmamahal sa isa't isa, makikilala ng lahat na kayo'y mga alagad ko.”
John 15:12- This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you.
Ito ang aking utos: magmahalan kayo gaya ng pagmamahal ko sa inyo.
F. Family:
 - Family is at the Heart of Christmas.
- Christmas, with its warm traditions and festive gatherings, holds a special pla
ce for family and unity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishin
g and strengthening the bonds of family.
- In the spirit of Christmas, let's embody the love and sacrificial spirit of Christ
within our families. Cherishing moments of togetherness, expressing gratitud
e for the gift of family, and fostering an atmosphere of love contribute to the t
rue essence of the season.
- Through Jesus, through this celebration, God can restore the family. God ca
n fill your family with all you need.
- Unity within the family is a powerful reflection of the love Christ has for His fo
llowers. This unity is not just about being physically present but about being
present in love and understanding. As we gather with family during Christma
s, let's recognize the unique strengths each member brings, appreciating dive
rsity and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and suppor
ted.

Colossians 3:14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new l
ife is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity.
At higit sa lahat, taglayin ninyo ang pagmamahalan, na siyang nagbubuklod sa lah
at sa ganap na pagkakaisa.
G. Jesus Christ:
- Finally, Jesus IS the Heart of Christmas.
- Jesus is the heartbeat of Christmas. He is the focus for He is the reason for thi
s season.
- Because Christmas is about the birth of God's Son – Jesus Christ. It is about h
ow He came to give us love, hope, and joy. That message doesn't change fro
m year to year.
- Life has many distractions. The world has many enticements competing for y
our attention. This time of year, you will find celebrations and get-togethers o
f all types. Do not become so distracted by the busyness that you forget the r
 eal reason for Christmas. The reason is found in the season’s name, Christm
as. The reason is Christ. Christmas is more than a holiday. It is the promise ful
filled, in the birth of the son of God.
- The birth of Jesus is more than a historical event; it is a promise fulfilled, a de
monstration of God's love for humanity. In recognizing the true reason for Ch
ristmas – Christ – we find the embodiment of giving, hope, joy, peace, family,
and love. In Him we can find it all, all that we need, because He is the Heart of
Christmas.

John 3:16 (NIV): "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, th
at whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Sapagkat gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sangkatauhan, kaya't ibinigay
niya ang kanyang kaisa-isang Anak, upang ang sinumang sumampalataya sa kany
a ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.
Romans 5:8 (NIV): "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we we
re still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Ngunit pinatunayan ng Diyos ang kanyang pag-ibig sa atin nang mamatay si Cristo
para sa atin noong tayo'y makasalanan pa.
Conclusion:
- As we Celebrate Jesus and kindle the flames of Revival in our hearts, let us ca
rry "The Heart of Christmas" beyond this season. May the spirit of giving, hop
e, joy, peace, family, love, and the presence of Jesus resonate in our lives thro
ughout the year. Let this Christmas be a catalyst for a renewed and vibrant jo
urney of faith.
- Remember that Christmas is more than a tradition; it is a celebration of His g
oodness and a renewal of heart through Christ Jesus for Jesus is the Heart o
f Christmas!