Pastor Dan Eddy
John 1:1-14
Don’t let the Grinches
steal your Christmas
12-25-11
Grace, mercy, and peace be
multiplied unto you this Christmas Day from God our Father and from the Christ
Child, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
I.
Introduction – The assault on Christmas
Don’t you just love the
sound of baptized children here in our sanctuary this Christmas morning?
But, it appears there’s
more and more evidence of certain people for various reasons that have a
problem with Christmas. It seems news stories on this subject have increased
exponentially.
Here are a few examples
like Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee insisting on calling this (point to
tree) a “holiday tree,” or the fact the Congressional Franking Commission Staff
decreed that lawmakers in Washington can not make any references to specific
holidays in their tax-payer paid correspondence with constitutes. This includes
Christmas and New Years, which ironically are paid federal holidays.
Or, how about the
California Atheists, who won a new random lottery drawing to put up displays, winning
out against church groups who had previously adorned
But I think the message
that really crystallizes the anger against Christmas comes from TV talk show host,
comedian and atheist, Bill Mahr. In a recent interview with Newsweek Mahr declared: “Plain fact is, religion must die for mankind
to live. The hour is getting very late to be able to indulge in having key
decisions made by religious people. By irrationalists. By those who would steer
the ship of state, not by a compass, but by the equivalent of reading the
entrails of a chicken.”
What makes people so
defensive, so angry about this holiday of hope, peace, joy, and love? Is it the
holiday or is it its underlying powerful message spoken in God’s Word? The
powerful message that a few moments ago touch your ears from John chapter 1.
II.
Why the assault on Christmas?
Just a casual look at
verses 1-14 shows that Christmas is not just another holiday. It’s a holiday
that makes some bold claims.
That God’s Word is God.
They are equal.
That God and His Word are
separate entities/persons but one in essence
The Word of God existed
before time.
That the Word of God spoke
creation into existence
The Word of God became
flesh and dwelt among us, born as the Christ Child known as Jesus.
That Jesus was here on
Earth as both God and Man so that all would believe that He gives the
everlasting Christmas presents of grace and truth. By grace you are saved by
faith. And by faith you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. For
many the real problem with Christmas is not so much the holiday as it is with
Christ.
By the Holy Spirit, Jesus
brings us confidence in love; certainty in hope; the guarantee of peace beyond
our understanding; and the blessings of joy beyond happiness.
One of the reasons the
Apostle John wrote this Gospel was to affirm the divinity of Jesus Christ,
which by the end of the First Century was already being watered down, rationalized
or explained away.
It’s the divinity of
Christ and the perfect human nature of Jesus that causes many to bring out the
knives…or more specifically the spear, the crown, and the nails.
John 1 shows us that you
can’t do an end run around Christ to get to God or any measure of happiness and
contentment. If you try to take Christ out of anything, you’re allowing Satan,
the ultimate Grinch, to steal your Christmas and whole lot more.
What makes Christmas
special is God’s Word made flesh penetrating our ears to our heart to change us
from Grinches to the people of Whoville.
Perhaps a five minute
segment from “How the Grinch stole Christmas” will help illustrate that point.
The scene you are about to
see comes near the end of the cartoon after the Grinch and his dog, Max, have
stolen anything resembling Christmas from the people in Whoville. They have taken
the items by sled 10,000 feet up the mountain, and are awaiting the people of
Whoville to cry or be angry because Christmas has been stolen.
III.
“How the Grinch stole Christmas” from 19:40 in till
24 minutes. End tag… “carved the Roast Beast.”
IV.
How to respond to the Grinches?
You see it’s really easy
when we hear of people wanting to “stop
our Christmases” to respond with the same anger that they have toward us.
But I’m here to tell you Christmas will come regardless of any amount of
opposition to it.
Jesus words “Heaven
and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mark 13:31
ESV)
Our response should be
more like the people of Whoville with love and forgiveness, just as the Christ
Child as an adult won that for you and me on the cross.
So how can the Lord use
you and me to help the hearts of Grinches hearts grow by three?
Perhaps this letter
forwarded on to me by Cheryl Foote three years ago may offer a little guidance.
I close this morning’s sermon with a “Christmas
Letter from Jesus.”
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many you are upset
that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I
wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your
predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time
of pagan festival.
Although I do appreciate being remembered
anytime.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are
calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made
all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My
birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to
the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to
soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year.
I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have
to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about
them.
3. Instead of writing the president complaining
about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you
write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year.
Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children (or
grandchildren) a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time
with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you
down there. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and
forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will
attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and
hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet
a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer
in your town who wishes you a “Happy
8. If you really want to make a difference, support
a missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have
never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and
whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas"
tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't
know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army,
food pantry, or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the
delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about
your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things
in secret that you wouldn't do if I were standing in front of you. Let people
know by your actions that you are one of Mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me by doing what
I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.
Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the
ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those
whom you love and remember.
I love you. Signed, Jesus
Perhaps Bill Mahr is right
“Religion must die for the mankind to
live.” Actually more specifically the Child born in a manger died as an
adult so that you could live for eternity. There’s nothing more powerful to
remember and to rejoice in this
Christmas season. Amen.