Decoration DeclarationsWhat do your decorations really say?

???

• Christmas is filled with opportunities for communication of the GOSPEL.

• What are my DECORATIONS really saying to those around me?

CHRISTmas?

• Decorations that OBSCURE the meaning of Christmas–Decorations that COVER UP

• Decorations, like make-up, should be done well not “layered up”

• Shine, sparkle, glitz, and glamour may be blinding us to the truth

• Are your decorations about having the right look or the right heart?

Cover Up

• Decorations that OBSCURE the meaning of Christmas–Decorations that COVER UP–Decorations that CROWD OUT

• There are a lot of Christmas voices that are decidedly NOT Christian– Frosty, Rudolph and Santa are not the

three wise men!

• Remove the distractions and dial in the message presentation

• Do you choose decorations that match your faith message?

Crowd Out

• Decorations that OBSCURE the meaning of Christmas–Decorations that COVER UP–Decorations that CROWD OUT–Decorations that FADE OUT

• Ornaments can become so “familiar” that they lose their importance

• “Of course it’s about Jesus” is not as obvious as you might think

• Is this an old, outdated message that is irrelevant to people in 2010?

Fade Out

• Decorations that DECLARE the meaning of Christmas–Decorations that SPEAK UP

• Refuse to let Christmas go by as “just another day” on the calendar

• Engage joyfully in holiday decoration and preparations – celebrate!

• Choose appropriate decorations that point to Jesus Christ

Speak Up

• Decorations that DECLARE the meaning of Christmas–Decorations that SPEAK UP–Decorations that SPEAK OUT

• Refuse to be silenced by those who demand “tolerance” or “inclusive”

• Buy up the opportunities to speak – using “BRIDGES” to the gospel

Speak Out

• Decorations that DECLARE the meaning of Christmas–Decorations that SPEAK UP–Decorations that SPEAK OUT–Decorations that SPEAK TRUTH

• Do not miss the chance to talk with people about theology

• Speak the truth in love, remembering your Christmas’s without Christ

• Talk about something that really matters at Christmas time– Include truth in your

decorations

Speak Truth

Scoring

• How would you rate your decorations?– A “1” being beautiful but hollow– A “10” being meaningful and

focused

• How would your neighbors score your display of faith?

1 1 1 11

needs more “salt”

1010

10 1010

well-seasoned, tasty