Keep Christmas in perspective
Commentary
One may wonder why Christmas is so short a season in the church year. Four Sundays in Advent. Just one in Christmas and the Epiphany and Christmastide.
We have become accustomed to Christmas beginning in October as the advertisers begin to ply their wares and to prey upon our susceptibilities hoping for a bigger financial Christmas then ever before. It seems that in the church we give Christmas short shrift.
It is important for us to remember that contrary to what many seem to think Christmas is not the focal point of our faith. Easter is the hinge of history. Had it not been for the resurrection his birth would have never been remembered.
We make too much of Christmas, both on the commercial and the religious scene. We decorate, we sing, we preach, we cook, we party for weeks ahead and then, on December 26th it is all over. But Easter never ends.
Everytime we observe Sunday as a day of worship and rest we proclaim Easter. When the commercial world takes the day off it witnesses more to Easter than it does to Christmas one season a year.
We need to get things straight in our thinking. It is only in the shadow of the cross and by the light of the empty tomb that the manger is seen at all. Jesus the baby became Jesus the boy, became Jesus the young man, became Jesus the teacher and healer who finally gave his life so that all of us would know just how much God loves us, just how far he is willing to go to save us, just how much he will suffer to redeem us.
Don't overdo Christmas.
OUTLINE I
Monotheism at Last
Isaiah 45:22-25
Introduction: Many attempts have been made to associate the rise of monotheism with Moses but it cannot be the case. All one has to do is to read of the problems these recent slaves had with all the Canaanite baals when they arrived in the new land. Former slaves, lately nomads, now they were settled in an agricultural land and knew nothing about farming. But they could see the success of the Canaanites and they knew about their fertility rites which ensured good crops. How could they not give credit to the baals? And they did. Hosea reveals their perfidy that has broken God's heart when he writes:
She (Israel) did not know that it was I who gave
her the grain, the wine and the oil, and who lavished
upon her silver and gold that they used for Baal. Hosea 2:8Israel continued to toy with other gods until the exile. Once and for all she was cured of her idolatries after the exile. Never again would she kneel at other shrines. In fact, her strong monotheism gave her problems when she tried to deal with the problem of evil. Yet, rather than accept dualism she would tough it out and attribute all things to God and take the consequences. One has to admire that.
A. Verse 22. An invitation to admit that God is one.
B. Verse 23: A reminder that God will in the end prevail. By the way, connect this verse with Philippians 2:10 and 11 and see how it rings with Christian relevance.
C. Verse 24. The plight of those who cannot see.
D. Verse 25. The promise given to those who admit his sovereignty.
Conclusion: This invitation can still be relevant in an age when it seems we woship all the gods again. Mars still offers victory in war. Bacchus promises fulfillment in drugs and alcohol. Venus beckons one to sexual fulfillment. Volcan still promises greatness through organization and power. On and on it goes. Someone has aptly said that when God goes the half-gods come. Somewhere along the way we lost our vision of the one God and are victimized by the half-gods. Tell that to your people and invite them to accept the invitation of Isaiah.
OUTLINE II
Delivery from Slavery
Galatians 4:4-7
Introduction: One of the emphases we ought to lift up at Christmas is the declaration of what can happen to us if we truly understand what God is doing in Christ. Just let this text speak for itself. No need for fancy additions.
A. In the fullness of time. When things were just right. When all else had failed. When men and women were in despair. When everybody was asking the right questions. But more who could have dreamed how much the Roman Empire had and would contribute to the success of Christianity? Just think of it. Peace was abroad in the land. Roads made wide travel possible. The seas were free of pirates and one could trayel them safely. A postal system had been invented. Just think of it. In such a land Christianity could spread rapidly. Paul could move about freely. His letters could circulate freely. Christians would be able to take their message everywhere. One could speak of world evangelism. The time was full, just right.
B. Born of woman. Like us! It had to be. Once and for all we could see the heart of God in one like us and understand.
C. Under the law. Like all Jews. Responsible to the law and yet the one who saw a deeper law within the heart and spirit. One who could set legalisms aside and look deep within the heart.
D. So. So, now look at us. Because of him we are no longer slaves to sin, no longer petitioners hoping God will notice our good deeds. We are children of God, joint heirs with his Son Christ. All because he has made us so.
Conclusion: Once again we hear the meaning of Christmas rather than the story. It is okay to tell the story but never without telling the meaning. That meaning is often found in places other than the gospel stories. Be careful to find it and to share it.
OUTLINE III
Luke's Interesting Sidelight
Luke 2:22-40
Introduction: We are greatly indebted to Luke for those little stories which he alone tells, stories of the poor and women and the Amharetz, the pious of the land. Both Simeon and Anna fit the pattern. While the powerful and the important are busy with their great problems, their rituals, and their incantations, two old people who look daily for the salvation of the Lord are on hand when Jesus is brought to Jerusalem for presentation to the Lord as firstborn and belonging to God. These two see something more.
A. Simeon. Simeon sees the coming salvation for which God's people have long waited. Now, where it is, all wrapped up in a baby boy, one who is to fulfill the prophetic promise that salvation will come to all the nations. And who knows why Luke included that line about the coming suffering of the mother. Is he, like Matthew, telling us that while the angel light shone around the manger the dark forces were gathering and that already the cross loomed in the distance. Check out John 3:17-21 for more material at this point.
B. Anna. Anna understands and begins to praise God and to witness to what she has perceived. Great things are ahead. It appears that no one understands. Just two silly old folks making over a baby boy. But Luke sees more.
C. A growing boy. Check out the first chapters of 1 Samuel again and you will find the words of verse 39, 40 are not original with Luke. Jesus is like the rest of us, growing up and all too soon to become a man.
Conclusion: Sometimes the witness to the meaning of Christmas is to be found in strange places. Too often we stick to Luke 2 and Matthew 2 and miss much that needs to be shared. Take time to tell these stories and use them to reveal the meaning of Christmas.
We have become accustomed to Christmas beginning in October as the advertisers begin to ply their wares and to prey upon our susceptibilities hoping for a bigger financial Christmas then ever before. It seems that in the church we give Christmas short shrift.
It is important for us to remember that contrary to what many seem to think Christmas is not the focal point of our faith. Easter is the hinge of history. Had it not been for the resurrection his birth would have never been remembered.
We make too much of Christmas, both on the commercial and the religious scene. We decorate, we sing, we preach, we cook, we party for weeks ahead and then, on December 26th it is all over. But Easter never ends.
Everytime we observe Sunday as a day of worship and rest we proclaim Easter. When the commercial world takes the day off it witnesses more to Easter than it does to Christmas one season a year.
We need to get things straight in our thinking. It is only in the shadow of the cross and by the light of the empty tomb that the manger is seen at all. Jesus the baby became Jesus the boy, became Jesus the young man, became Jesus the teacher and healer who finally gave his life so that all of us would know just how much God loves us, just how far he is willing to go to save us, just how much he will suffer to redeem us.
Don't overdo Christmas.
OUTLINE I
Monotheism at Last
Isaiah 45:22-25
Introduction: Many attempts have been made to associate the rise of monotheism with Moses but it cannot be the case. All one has to do is to read of the problems these recent slaves had with all the Canaanite baals when they arrived in the new land. Former slaves, lately nomads, now they were settled in an agricultural land and knew nothing about farming. But they could see the success of the Canaanites and they knew about their fertility rites which ensured good crops. How could they not give credit to the baals? And they did. Hosea reveals their perfidy that has broken God's heart when he writes:
She (Israel) did not know that it was I who gave
her the grain, the wine and the oil, and who lavished
upon her silver and gold that they used for Baal. Hosea 2:8Israel continued to toy with other gods until the exile. Once and for all she was cured of her idolatries after the exile. Never again would she kneel at other shrines. In fact, her strong monotheism gave her problems when she tried to deal with the problem of evil. Yet, rather than accept dualism she would tough it out and attribute all things to God and take the consequences. One has to admire that.
A. Verse 22. An invitation to admit that God is one.
B. Verse 23: A reminder that God will in the end prevail. By the way, connect this verse with Philippians 2:10 and 11 and see how it rings with Christian relevance.
C. Verse 24. The plight of those who cannot see.
D. Verse 25. The promise given to those who admit his sovereignty.
Conclusion: This invitation can still be relevant in an age when it seems we woship all the gods again. Mars still offers victory in war. Bacchus promises fulfillment in drugs and alcohol. Venus beckons one to sexual fulfillment. Volcan still promises greatness through organization and power. On and on it goes. Someone has aptly said that when God goes the half-gods come. Somewhere along the way we lost our vision of the one God and are victimized by the half-gods. Tell that to your people and invite them to accept the invitation of Isaiah.
OUTLINE II
Delivery from Slavery
Galatians 4:4-7
Introduction: One of the emphases we ought to lift up at Christmas is the declaration of what can happen to us if we truly understand what God is doing in Christ. Just let this text speak for itself. No need for fancy additions.
A. In the fullness of time. When things were just right. When all else had failed. When men and women were in despair. When everybody was asking the right questions. But more who could have dreamed how much the Roman Empire had and would contribute to the success of Christianity? Just think of it. Peace was abroad in the land. Roads made wide travel possible. The seas were free of pirates and one could trayel them safely. A postal system had been invented. Just think of it. In such a land Christianity could spread rapidly. Paul could move about freely. His letters could circulate freely. Christians would be able to take their message everywhere. One could speak of world evangelism. The time was full, just right.
B. Born of woman. Like us! It had to be. Once and for all we could see the heart of God in one like us and understand.
C. Under the law. Like all Jews. Responsible to the law and yet the one who saw a deeper law within the heart and spirit. One who could set legalisms aside and look deep within the heart.
D. So. So, now look at us. Because of him we are no longer slaves to sin, no longer petitioners hoping God will notice our good deeds. We are children of God, joint heirs with his Son Christ. All because he has made us so.
Conclusion: Once again we hear the meaning of Christmas rather than the story. It is okay to tell the story but never without telling the meaning. That meaning is often found in places other than the gospel stories. Be careful to find it and to share it.
OUTLINE III
Luke's Interesting Sidelight
Luke 2:22-40
Introduction: We are greatly indebted to Luke for those little stories which he alone tells, stories of the poor and women and the Amharetz, the pious of the land. Both Simeon and Anna fit the pattern. While the powerful and the important are busy with their great problems, their rituals, and their incantations, two old people who look daily for the salvation of the Lord are on hand when Jesus is brought to Jerusalem for presentation to the Lord as firstborn and belonging to God. These two see something more.
A. Simeon. Simeon sees the coming salvation for which God's people have long waited. Now, where it is, all wrapped up in a baby boy, one who is to fulfill the prophetic promise that salvation will come to all the nations. And who knows why Luke included that line about the coming suffering of the mother. Is he, like Matthew, telling us that while the angel light shone around the manger the dark forces were gathering and that already the cross loomed in the distance. Check out John 3:17-21 for more material at this point.
B. Anna. Anna understands and begins to praise God and to witness to what she has perceived. Great things are ahead. It appears that no one understands. Just two silly old folks making over a baby boy. But Luke sees more.
C. A growing boy. Check out the first chapters of 1 Samuel again and you will find the words of verse 39, 40 are not original with Luke. Jesus is like the rest of us, growing up and all too soon to become a man.
Conclusion: Sometimes the witness to the meaning of Christmas is to be found in strange places. Too often we stick to Luke 2 and Matthew 2 and miss much that needs to be shared. Take time to tell these stories and use them to reveal the meaning of Christmas.
