You Can't Steal A Spirit
Pastoral Resources
Gospel-Telling
The Art and Theology of Children's Sermons
Appropriate Day: Epiphany or the Sunday after Christmas
Summary: The spirit of Christmas will last because every Sunday we celebrate God's gift of Jesus.
Props: A box of old toys (wrap the box in holiday paper)
Christmas is over, and that means the end of gift--giving. No more surprises. No more guessing what presents we're getting. Although it's true that Christmas Day won't come for another 3__ days, the Church celebrates the coming of the Wise Men from the East on January 6. This Sunday is known as Epiphany, and in the Greek Orthodox Church gifts are not unwrapped until this day in remembrance of the gifts that the Wise Men brought to the baby Jesus. I know we would like Christmas to last ... and last ... and last. But it can't - or can it?
On the chancel steps I see a Christmas present that's still wrapped, so maybe there is hope that Christmas can last. Let's open it and see what's in it. Let me see ... this box seems to be filled with several gifts, and they're not exactly new. My guess is that they're last year's Christmas presents. Actually, a few of them look like they're several years old. This game has lost its marbles, so it isn't much fun anymore. This book has seen better days, and it won't last much longer. And this doll has lost one of its arms.
You may say that wasn't much of a present - and you're right. I must confess that I was the one who brought the box in last night. I was thinking about one of my favorite Christmas television specials: How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Even though I've seen it many times, every Christmas I find myself watching it just one more time. As you probably remember, the Grinch tried to steal Christmas by taking all the presents and Christmas decorations from the town of Who--ville, and when he left, it was clean as a whistle. But the Grinch couldn't actually steal Christmas, because Christmas is a spirit, and you can't steal a spirit. Even though the Grinch had taken everyone's presents, joyful sounds still filled the air on Christmas morning in Who--ville. Why? Because all the little Whos in the town were celebrating the birth of Jesus.
It was very easy and very natural to be excited about the presents you received from your parents. These old Christmas gifts are a reminder that in a few years even your new games and toys will find their way to the back of the closet or be thrown away. You may grow too old for them, or they may simply wear out.
But what about that other gift - the gift behind all the gifts we receive? This is the love of God, which gave us Jesus Christ, and the love of your parents, which gave you life. If anything is going to last, it will be the gift of love which is given day after day after day. That, of course, is the essence of the Christmas spirit. It is also the reason that the Grinch, mean as he was, could not steal the joy of Who--ville.
I truly hope that the spirit of Christmas will last for you. And I think it will, because every Sunday we celebrate God's great gift of Jesus. You may never have thought of Sunday in this way before. But every Sunday is like Christmas Day, when we open and give thanks for the gift of God's love, Jesus Christ.
May the spirit of Christmas be with you today, tomorrow, and every day to come.
Summary: The spirit of Christmas will last because every Sunday we celebrate God's gift of Jesus.
Props: A box of old toys (wrap the box in holiday paper)
Christmas is over, and that means the end of gift--giving. No more surprises. No more guessing what presents we're getting. Although it's true that Christmas Day won't come for another 3__ days, the Church celebrates the coming of the Wise Men from the East on January 6. This Sunday is known as Epiphany, and in the Greek Orthodox Church gifts are not unwrapped until this day in remembrance of the gifts that the Wise Men brought to the baby Jesus. I know we would like Christmas to last ... and last ... and last. But it can't - or can it?
On the chancel steps I see a Christmas present that's still wrapped, so maybe there is hope that Christmas can last. Let's open it and see what's in it. Let me see ... this box seems to be filled with several gifts, and they're not exactly new. My guess is that they're last year's Christmas presents. Actually, a few of them look like they're several years old. This game has lost its marbles, so it isn't much fun anymore. This book has seen better days, and it won't last much longer. And this doll has lost one of its arms.
You may say that wasn't much of a present - and you're right. I must confess that I was the one who brought the box in last night. I was thinking about one of my favorite Christmas television specials: How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Even though I've seen it many times, every Christmas I find myself watching it just one more time. As you probably remember, the Grinch tried to steal Christmas by taking all the presents and Christmas decorations from the town of Who--ville, and when he left, it was clean as a whistle. But the Grinch couldn't actually steal Christmas, because Christmas is a spirit, and you can't steal a spirit. Even though the Grinch had taken everyone's presents, joyful sounds still filled the air on Christmas morning in Who--ville. Why? Because all the little Whos in the town were celebrating the birth of Jesus.
It was very easy and very natural to be excited about the presents you received from your parents. These old Christmas gifts are a reminder that in a few years even your new games and toys will find their way to the back of the closet or be thrown away. You may grow too old for them, or they may simply wear out.
But what about that other gift - the gift behind all the gifts we receive? This is the love of God, which gave us Jesus Christ, and the love of your parents, which gave you life. If anything is going to last, it will be the gift of love which is given day after day after day. That, of course, is the essence of the Christmas spirit. It is also the reason that the Grinch, mean as he was, could not steal the joy of Who--ville.
I truly hope that the spirit of Christmas will last for you. And I think it will, because every Sunday we celebrate God's great gift of Jesus. You may never have thought of Sunday in this way before. But every Sunday is like Christmas Day, when we open and give thanks for the gift of God's love, Jesus Christ.
May the spirit of Christmas be with you today, tomorrow, and every day to come.
