“Jesus: The Lord Saves”
12/17/17 AM
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:20-21
Introduction: Are you tired of Christmas music yet? While studies show music generally can have emotional and mental benefits, others say that Christmas music can be, um, a bit annoying and even detrimental. Especially they say if it’s played too loud or too early. Best Buy was one of the earliest to start playing Christmas music—on Oct. 22nd. Most prefer it after Thanksgiving, though some like it anytime. And while many appreciate and enjoy Christmas music this time of year, others says it stresses people out, reminding them of all the things they need to do before Dec. 25th. "You're simply spending all of your energy trying not to hear what you're hearing," one psychologist said. Of course, as long as some businesses maintain that the playing of Christmas music increases sales, you’ll be hearing it most everywhere.
I for one think that’s not a bad thing. Some Christmas songs are just fun, happy jingles; some are more melancholy and wistful; some speak of the story of the birth of our Lord. Today I want us to take a look at a couple of the names given to the Savior even before His birth.
When the Lord is to be born into the world, He is given TWO very significant names.
One of those, “Immanuel,” we will discuss in this evening’s message. The other is the one that the Lord more typically is called.
- Matthew and Luke introduce us to the Savior’s name: JESUS.
Matt. 1:18-25
Luke 1:26-38; 2:21
- John pays tribute to the name, Jesus, but in a less DIRECT way.
John 3:14-17
Numbers 21:4-9
2 Kings 18:4 (Hezekiah)
Unfortunately,for many the story of the Nativity and the cross have become useless idols or mere decorations in the same way the bronze snake of Moses’ day did for later generations of Israelites.
For others it has become a source of division and arrogance—on both sides.
- What we celebrate with the birth of Christ is found in the significance of the name, Jesus: SAVIOR.
- Christmas and the Christmas seasoncan be a DISTRACTION. (music; etc.)
- It can be anOPPORTUNITY. (Tonight—“Immanuel”; Next Sunday—John 1:14)
- It can be a REMINDER.
“Jesus: The Lord Saves”
When the Lord is to born into the world, He is given ______very significant names.
- Matthew and Luke introduce us to the Savior’s name: ______.
Matt. 1:18-25
Luke 1:26-38; 2:21
- John pays tribute to the name, Jesus, but in a less ______way.
John 3:14-17
Numbers 21:4-9; 2 Kings 18:4
- What we celebrate with the birth of Christ is found in the significance of the name, Jesus: ______.
- Christmas and the Christmas season can be a ______.
- It can be an ______.
- It can be a ______.
Studies Show Different Responses to Christmas Music
This time of year, the songs of the season are everywhere: at the mall, in elevators, on TV, and in the earbuds of many personal audio devices. But recent research has conflicting ideas about how this music affects people.
Mayo Clinic expertssay tuning in to music can be good for you. Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford says research suggests listening to or singing music can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Another study shows music may also help reduce pain.
But other studies show the opposite result.
According to a 2017 studyconducted by British psychologist Linda Blair, listening to cheerful, jolly Christmas could harm a person's mental health. Blair said the continuous playing of Christmas music in the car or at stores reminds people of all the things they need to do before the holiday arrives. "You're simply spending all of your energy trying not to hear what you're hearing," Blair said.
Meanwhile, a 2005studyshowed an even different result. When Christmas music was combined with Christmas scents, it encouraged people to spend more time in a shop and subsequently boosted sales.
Vivian Williams, "How holiday music may help your health,"The Sacramento Bee(11-13-17); submitted by David Finch, Elk Grove, California
Christmas music is bad for your mental health, British psychologist says
Stressing before Christmas? Listening to the cheerful, jolly music will not help you relax, a British psychologist said. In fact, listening to Christmas music could harm a person’s mental health, clinical psychologist Linda Blair toldSky News.
Blair said the continuous playing of Christmas music in the car or at stores reminds people of all the things they need to do before the holiday arrives. “You’re simply spending all of yourenergytrying not to hear what you’re hearing,” Blair toldSky News.
Blair said store workers were “more at risk” of being mentally drained by the array of cheerful music. The same songs being played constantly makes it hard for employees to “tune it out” and “unable to focus on anything else.”
“Christmas music is likely to irritate people if it’s played too loudly and too early,” Blair told Sky News. TheTampa Bay Timesreported Best Buy began playing holiday music on Oct. 22, making the electronic store the first to stream the songs. A few days later, other stores such as Sears, Ulta and Michaels followed suit.
Mood Media’s programming executive, Danny Turner, told the Tampa Bay Times that he urges stores to stop playing novelty music because it could annoy customers. “The one I have in mind is 'The 12 Days of Christmas,'” Turner told the Tampa Bay Times. “Once I’m at the third day, I’m counting how many days are left. You don’t want any songs that feel like they last for 12 days.”
The newspaper also conducted a poll about the most appropriate time to start playing Christmas music. More than half of the participants said it was best to begin listening to holiday music after Thanksgiving.