This is Part 4 of Pastor Chuck Bernal’s 2015 Christmas message series titled, “The GHOSTs Of Christmas Past”. “GHOSTs” is an acronym for: GUILT, HOPELESSNESS, OFFENSE, SORROWS, THREATS. This message discussed the differences between JOY and HAPPINESS and how we can have real JOY because of Christmas - even when we face problems in life. The main point of the message is contained in this statement: JOY IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF PROBLEMS AND PAIN BUT THE PRESENCE OF GOD’S PEACE AND POWER IN OUR LIVES! This message was delivered on Sunday, December 20, 2015.

2. THE COLORS OF
CHRISTMAS:
RED, GREEN & BLUE

3. There are times when Christmas
doesn’t go according to plan.

4. There are times when you know
what the script ought to be but
somebody or something
changes the lines on us.

5. There are times when Christmas
doesn’t seem as cheerful and
upbeat as we had hoped it
would be:

6. a loved one dies,
family or friends move away, we
struggle
with divorce,

7. we lose our jobs,
we may face cancer
or some other overwhelming
disease.

8. What had promised to
be a Christmas filled
with fun and pleasure suddenly
becomes a
“Blue Christmas”.

10. Sometimes at Christmas we
are filled with sorrows

11. Sometimes at Christmas we
are filled with anxiety

12. Sometimes at Christmas
we are filled with
disappointment

13. Then Simeon blessed them and said to
Mary, his mother: “This child is destined
to cause the falling and rising of many
in Israel,

14. and to be a sign that will be spoken
against, so that the thoughts of many
hearts will be revealed.

15. And a sword will pierce
your own soul too.”
(Luke 2:34-35 – New International Version)

16. CHRISTMAS CHANGES
EVERYTHING!

18. Holy night, starry sky, we were
dead until tonight
Christmas changes everything

19. Long lay the world inside our sin,
He has come here to forgive
Christmas changes everything

20. Hallelujah, love has found us –
hope in a manger our Savior is
setting us free

21. This is rescue, Christ has come
to make us new, oh
Christmas changes everything

23. Now God has met us where we
are, a thrill of hope for hopeless
hearts His perfect love will
shatter every fear

24. We’re coming back to life again,
it’s all because of Bethlehem
Rejoice, oh rejoice

25. Hallelujah, love has found us –
hope in a manger our Savior is
setting us free

26. This is rescue, Christ has come
to make us new, oh
Christmas changes everything

27. We fall on our knees
We fall on our knees
We fall on our knees

28. O Holy night, holy child we were
dead till you came to life

29. Hallelujah, you have found us –
hope in a manger oh, Savior we
fall on our knees

30. You are rescue,
You are making all things new,
oh
Christmas changes everything

31. Yeah, Christmas changes
everything
Christmas changes everything

32. Simeon was there and took the child in
his arms, praising God. “Lord,” he said,
“now I can die content!

33. For I have seen him as you promised
me I would.
I have seen the Savior you
have given to the world.

34. He is the Light that will shine upon
the nations, and he will be the glory
of your people Israel!”
(Luke 2:28-32 – Living Bible)

35. Where there is sorrow,
the Christ of Christmas
brings us joy

36. Where there is anxiety,
the Christ of Christmas
brings
us peace

37. Where there is
disappointment, the Christ of
Christmas brings us hope

38. An angel of the Lord stood before them.
The glory of the Lord was shining
around them, and they became very
frightened. The angel
said to them,

39. “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you
good news that will be a great joy
to all the people.

40. Today your Savior was born in the town
of David.
He is Christ, the Lord.
(Luke 2:9-11 – New Century Version)

41. Christmas is
good news that
brings great joy

42. Joy is not the ABSENCE
of problems and pain,
but the PRESENCE of God’s
peace and power in our lives!

43. CHRISTMAS
EXCHANGES
EVERYTHING!

44. The Spirit of the Lord is on me. The Lord
has appointed me for a special purpose.
He has anointed me to bring good news
to the poor.

45. He has sent me to repair broken hearts,
to declare to those who are held captive
and bound in prison,

46. “Be free from your imprisonment!” He
has sent me to announce the season
of God’s favor . . . For those who mourn
it will be a time of comfort . . .

47. For those who grieve, God
has sent me to give them a beautiful
crown in exchange for ashes,

48. To anoint them with gladness instead of
sorrow, to wrap them in victory, joy, and
praise instead of depression and
sadness.

49. People will call them magnificent, like
great towering trees standing for what
is right. They stand to the glory of the
Eternal who planted them.
(Isaiah 61:1-6 – The Voice)

50. Because of Christmas,
broken hope is renewed

51. Because of Christmas,
broken hearts are repaired

52. Because of Christmas,
broken lives are restored

53. Because of Christmas,
broken dreams are rekindled

54. When he came to the village of
Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went
as usual to the synagogue and stood
up to read the Scriptures.

55. The book of Isaiah the prophet was
handed to him, and he opened it to the
place where it says:

56. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he
has appointed me to preach Good
News to the poor; he has sent me to
heal the brokenhearted and to
announce that captives
shall be released and
the blind shall see,

57. that the downtrodden shall be freed
from their oppressors, and that God is
ready to
give blessings to all who come to him.”
He closed the book and sat down, while
everyone in the synagogue gazed at
him intently.

58. Then he added,
“These Scriptures
came true today!”
(Luke 4:16-21 – Voice)

59. Because of Christmas,
the good news
AND great joy
God promised
can be ours
TODAY!

61. Because of Christmas,
the good news
AND great joy
God promised
can be ours
TODAY!

62. Let’s Pray