Joy Versus a High
Commentary
Surely one of the central themes of the Christmas season is the theme of joy. On every hand one encounters signs that speak of it: beaming faces, happy greetings, reunions of families and friends, eager children, beautiful music, expanded liturgies at church, friendly greetings on the street. For a moment everyone seems to share something of the spirit of joy.
Unfortunately, all too often, once Christmas Day is come and gone, so are the joyful appearances. The smiles are gone, people move through the day without any evidence that Christmas made any difference, the trees are chucked out back, decorations are down, the rock music returns and the church goes back to the ordinary.
Why?
The answer can clearly be found in the scriptures for this Sunday.
If the spirit of joy is just so much emotionally generated enthusiasm, if it is just so much ga-ga and ha-ha, if it is not rooted in the good news that God has acted on our behalf, then little wonder it does not last. It is not joy at all but an emotional high that comes and goes.
Those who are the ransomed, who have received the Lord's goodness, who have been forgiven, in whom the word of Christ dwells ... these have something that is not temporary and does not fade with the passing of a holiday.
For these, every day is a holyday because in every day they discover the gifts that come from God.
After all, that is the true Christmas. Christmas is not just a time for giving and receiving gifts but a time for giving and receiving as a reminder of what God first gave and what each of us continually receives.
OUTLINE I
A Prophetic Contribution
Jeremiah 31:10-13
Introduction: Remember, the exiles in Babylon had enough to be gloomy about. They had lost everything, possessions, country, family and worship. Jeremiah didn't help things much when he opposed the popular prophets of the day and counseled the exiles to settle in for a long stay.
Jeremiah's Contribution (Realism): Even though the prophet would not buy the rosy expectations of people like Hananiah he nevertheless did the exiles a favor. If they compared their situation to the false hopes of the false prophets their despair was driven deeper. If they focused their attention on the present only, hope was extinguished. Jeremiah furnished them a realistic perspective. His first gift was to call them to realism, to face the situation as it was. Only then would they begin to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives.
Jeremiah's Contribution (A Future): Jeremiah's message was more than an invitation to "grin and bear it." Now that they faced their situation realistically he put his hand under their downcast spiritual chins and lifted their heads toward a new future. Their God wasn't done with them yet. He had not given up on them. They were invited to take the longer view and to trust in a God who is the ultimate victor. Re-read that little book of Leslie Weatherhead, The Will of God.
Conclusion: There are plenty of occasions for despair in any congregation. If you know your people at all you know what they are. So, without dragging all the details out into the open play the role of the prophet. Help the people be realistic and then offer hope because the one who is the ultimate victor is with them.
OUTLINE II
The Advantages a Home Can Give
Luke 2:41-52
Introduction: It might be an interesting thing to do to speculate on all those years from age 5 to 29. Where was Jesus? We know of this brief glimpse into his life but where is the rest? Let me suggest that you read Jesus of Nazareth, The Hidden Years by Robert Aron, William Morrow, New York, 1962, and The Hidden Years by John Oxenham, Longmans Green, New York, 1945 edition. Then fit the gospel story for the day into whatever narrative you put together.
A. A Time in Jerusalem: Let your imagination flow. Recall the first time you ever went to the big city. Blend your imagination with what must have been the situation in Jesus' day. Note that he ends up at the temple. Children are generally inquisitive about things that are already a part of their lives. No doubt he had heard much more of the holy city and the temple and he wanted to know more. Do we prepare the inquisitive minds of our children to be directed in ways that will enrich their lives or do we just let them drift? Apparently Mary and Joseph did the former.
B. The Amazing Boy: Precocious? Well-trained? Good schooling? God in disguise? You might as well deal with it; your hearers will be thinking about it anyway. Surely there is evidence once again of a youngster taken seriously by parents. He was inquisitive and able to participate as well. Someone had to make that possible. How important is the home?
C. The Continuing Support: Note verse 52. That happened because he continued to live in a faithful and responsible home.
Conclusion: When we discover that behind every line there is evidence of a wonderful and responsible home, are we ready to ask whether our children are given such advantages?
OUTLINE III
The Expanded Family
Colossians 3:12-21
Introduction: Note that our relationship with God is always being pictured in family terms: children, family, father and the like. It is clear that we are not expected to live solitary lives. Indeed, when we do so our lives are stunted and impoverished. We are given the family: our homes and parents and siblings, and we are given the family, those with whom we share the faith. In both of these we are to receive the nurture and gifts that come through them from God.
God's Family: Read verses 12-17 again. What a wonderful atmosphere ... to be nurtured in a spiritual family where there is compassion, lowliness, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, harmony, peace, gratitude, joy and good works. My, what else could one covet? Out of such a context surely are born God's people. What about our part of that, our church? Does it measure up to that? Do we offer these gifts to the whole family gathered here? If not, how do we?
Our Family: Once again the context is described: love, obedience, kindness. In any home where these gifts are offered there are to be found whole and strong personalities. What about our home? If we were to ask our children to write down a list of the gifts they receive at home what would they write? Candy? Dolls? Clothes? Or, love and obedience and kindness and all those other gifts that come from being in God's family? What a challenge.
Conclusion: Surely any congregation and any home that keeps measuring itself by the standards set here can begin to consider itself "holy," different. Is our home, our church, different? Holy?
Unfortunately, all too often, once Christmas Day is come and gone, so are the joyful appearances. The smiles are gone, people move through the day without any evidence that Christmas made any difference, the trees are chucked out back, decorations are down, the rock music returns and the church goes back to the ordinary.
Why?
The answer can clearly be found in the scriptures for this Sunday.
If the spirit of joy is just so much emotionally generated enthusiasm, if it is just so much ga-ga and ha-ha, if it is not rooted in the good news that God has acted on our behalf, then little wonder it does not last. It is not joy at all but an emotional high that comes and goes.
Those who are the ransomed, who have received the Lord's goodness, who have been forgiven, in whom the word of Christ dwells ... these have something that is not temporary and does not fade with the passing of a holiday.
For these, every day is a holyday because in every day they discover the gifts that come from God.
After all, that is the true Christmas. Christmas is not just a time for giving and receiving gifts but a time for giving and receiving as a reminder of what God first gave and what each of us continually receives.
OUTLINE I
A Prophetic Contribution
Jeremiah 31:10-13
Introduction: Remember, the exiles in Babylon had enough to be gloomy about. They had lost everything, possessions, country, family and worship. Jeremiah didn't help things much when he opposed the popular prophets of the day and counseled the exiles to settle in for a long stay.
Jeremiah's Contribution (Realism): Even though the prophet would not buy the rosy expectations of people like Hananiah he nevertheless did the exiles a favor. If they compared their situation to the false hopes of the false prophets their despair was driven deeper. If they focused their attention on the present only, hope was extinguished. Jeremiah furnished them a realistic perspective. His first gift was to call them to realism, to face the situation as it was. Only then would they begin to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives.
Jeremiah's Contribution (A Future): Jeremiah's message was more than an invitation to "grin and bear it." Now that they faced their situation realistically he put his hand under their downcast spiritual chins and lifted their heads toward a new future. Their God wasn't done with them yet. He had not given up on them. They were invited to take the longer view and to trust in a God who is the ultimate victor. Re-read that little book of Leslie Weatherhead, The Will of God.
Conclusion: There are plenty of occasions for despair in any congregation. If you know your people at all you know what they are. So, without dragging all the details out into the open play the role of the prophet. Help the people be realistic and then offer hope because the one who is the ultimate victor is with them.
OUTLINE II
The Advantages a Home Can Give
Luke 2:41-52
Introduction: It might be an interesting thing to do to speculate on all those years from age 5 to 29. Where was Jesus? We know of this brief glimpse into his life but where is the rest? Let me suggest that you read Jesus of Nazareth, The Hidden Years by Robert Aron, William Morrow, New York, 1962, and The Hidden Years by John Oxenham, Longmans Green, New York, 1945 edition. Then fit the gospel story for the day into whatever narrative you put together.
A. A Time in Jerusalem: Let your imagination flow. Recall the first time you ever went to the big city. Blend your imagination with what must have been the situation in Jesus' day. Note that he ends up at the temple. Children are generally inquisitive about things that are already a part of their lives. No doubt he had heard much more of the holy city and the temple and he wanted to know more. Do we prepare the inquisitive minds of our children to be directed in ways that will enrich their lives or do we just let them drift? Apparently Mary and Joseph did the former.
B. The Amazing Boy: Precocious? Well-trained? Good schooling? God in disguise? You might as well deal with it; your hearers will be thinking about it anyway. Surely there is evidence once again of a youngster taken seriously by parents. He was inquisitive and able to participate as well. Someone had to make that possible. How important is the home?
C. The Continuing Support: Note verse 52. That happened because he continued to live in a faithful and responsible home.
Conclusion: When we discover that behind every line there is evidence of a wonderful and responsible home, are we ready to ask whether our children are given such advantages?
OUTLINE III
The Expanded Family
Colossians 3:12-21
Introduction: Note that our relationship with God is always being pictured in family terms: children, family, father and the like. It is clear that we are not expected to live solitary lives. Indeed, when we do so our lives are stunted and impoverished. We are given the family: our homes and parents and siblings, and we are given the family, those with whom we share the faith. In both of these we are to receive the nurture and gifts that come through them from God.
God's Family: Read verses 12-17 again. What a wonderful atmosphere ... to be nurtured in a spiritual family where there is compassion, lowliness, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, harmony, peace, gratitude, joy and good works. My, what else could one covet? Out of such a context surely are born God's people. What about our part of that, our church? Does it measure up to that? Do we offer these gifts to the whole family gathered here? If not, how do we?
Our Family: Once again the context is described: love, obedience, kindness. In any home where these gifts are offered there are to be found whole and strong personalities. What about our home? If we were to ask our children to write down a list of the gifts they receive at home what would they write? Candy? Dolls? Clothes? Or, love and obedience and kindness and all those other gifts that come from being in God's family? What a challenge.
Conclusion: Surely any congregation and any home that keeps measuring itself by the standards set here can begin to consider itself "holy," different. Is our home, our church, different? Holy?
