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A man who lives in Hollywood tells this to friends who come to visit: "When you are in Hollywood, don't miss Hollywood." He reminds his guests that his town is much more than a movie set. They won't see stars giving autographs or movie crews with cameras whirring.

In a similar way the scriptures seem to say to us, "At Christmas, don't miss Christmas." It is easy to miss, isn't it? We can get so busy that the season passes over us like a plane at night, heard but not really seen. And what, during this season, do we need not to miss?

I. Don't Miss The Need To Keep Hope Alive
This is a season of hope and Advent is a message of the Church, Santa Claus notwithstanding. The merchants have practically stolen this season by their message of "Buy, buy, buy!" Even so, this season is about God who sent his Son into this world so that the world through him might be saved. Another word for this reality is hope.

A cave-in at a gold mine in Jackson, California, several years ago trapped 47 miners. They were surrounded by walls and ceiling and floor that was worth millions of dollars. But every man among them would gladly have traded every penny for another hour's worth of air. Possessions pale when life is stripped down to its bare essentials — the fragile dividing line between life and death. That fragile dividing line exists in our spiritual lives, too. Hope nourishes spiritual life to keep it healthy and vibrant.

We naturally think of this as a season of receiving, so think of what you can receive from God. One of his gifts is salvation from your sins. Another is a sense of belonging and purpose in life. A third gift is work to do in his kingdom. All of this is part of the hope that is ours from our relationship with Christ.

II. Don't Miss The Need To Keep Fellowship Wide
"Accept one another," said Paul. But this is more than just "good buddy" feelings. Paul added the specification, "just as Christ accepted you."

Paul is an archer here, pulling back in order to launch ahead. Verse 4 reminds us that the things written in the past are to teach us to have hope and to keep the ranks of fellowship wide. Although there is much sentimental nonsense floating around, one thing is positive — the emphasis on giving each other a break. This is more than custom. It is a biblical command — "Accept one another."

Leo Tolstoy, the great novelist of a previous generation, told of the time his native Russia experienced a great famine. A beggar stopped Tolstoy on the street and asked for a handout. Tolstoy said, "Don't be angry with me brother. I have nothing to give." The beggar smiled and said, "You called me 'brother.' That is better than money."

During the early part of this century Baptists divided into more groups than one could name. There were the Northern Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention; there were the American Baptist Association, the Duck River Association, and the Kindred Associations. There were General Six-Principle Baptists, Free Will Baptists, Separate Baptists, Regular Baptists, the Primitive Baptists, and one group I really like, the Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists.

The Church of God split off into a branch calling itself The True Church of God and then another calling itself The Only True Church of God. But what is the biblical principle here? "Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you...."

Someone has likened Christian fellowship to a meeting of porcupines on a cold winter's night. The rodents come out of the cold and huddle together for warmth. But then their needles begin to jab each other so they go off alone. But then the cold drives them back together to huddle for protection. Then the spines jab each other. Then the cycle is repeated.

Many people this time of year are already tired, broke, preoccupied, and cranky. Contrast this with the fact that Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. Why not accept some of his peace in your life during this season?

III. Don't Miss The Need To Give God Praise
We also think of this season as a time of giving. What can you give this year that will express your faith and obedience? What about giving your life to Christ? We can also give gifts to the church to be used to spread the message about Christ and his love.

Perhaps the finest thing to give is praise to God. Paul breaks out into song in verses 9-13. Isn't that really the mood of Advent? The song is a series of Old Testament quotations that praise God for his including the Gentiles in his game plan. This calls for praise! It needs songs!

A B.C. cartoon shows the gang gathered around a piano. Refrains of some old favorites linger in the air: "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," " 'Tis The Season To Be Jolly," "Jingle Bells," "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas." A loud shout comes from Gronk: "You dummies forgot Birthday Boy!"

It is a season for praise, isn't it? The next time you enter a store listen for what is on the store's channel. You will hear strains of "Rudolph" but you will also hear, "O Come, All Ye Faithful"..."O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord." "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas" will play back--to--back with "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head." It is an interesting mix of the secular and sacred.

At Christmas, don't miss Christmas. There is meaning behind the madness.