Christmas: Gobbledygook or Good News

This Rudolph is also instrumental in finding the Baby New Year named Happy, who is anything but happy because of his big ears and in saving a circus with the help of his friend Frosty, a talking snowman. Frosty came to life one day when a magicians hat landed on his head. The magician melts Frosty in a greenhouse in an attempt to retrieve his hat. However, since Frosty is made from Christmas snow, he can never really disappear. He comes back again each year. Frosty marries a snow woman named Crystal. A certain Jack Frost is the best man at the wedding. There is creature called a Grinch who tries to steal Christmas from the Whos down in Whoville. He is aided by a dog named Maxx disguised as a reindeer. However, he is unsuccessful and joins them in a feast of roast beast. An orphan boy named Aaron plays his drum for a family in Bethlehem and his lamb, which was nearly killed by a Roman chariot, is healed. A donkey, with extremely long ears and couldnt play in any beast of burden games, named Nestor carried the woman in this family to Bethlehem. However, there is a conflicting story identifying this donkey by the name Small One. A man named Ebeneezer Scrooge hates Christmas and likes to say Bah Humbug until he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Marley and three other ghosts (the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future). A boy named Charlie Brown is always discouraged at Christmas time because no one sends him cards or gifts. He picks a small Christmas tree for a play and is scorned by his friends as a blockhead for not getting an aluminum tree.

If someone, who had never heard of Christmas, were to watch television this time of year, they would think this holiday was rather peculiar. They would see many pieces that didnt make a whole lot of sense when put together:
There is a man named Elvis Presley whos Christmas is blue and another man named Bing Crosby whose Christmas is white. There is a man named George Bailey who comes to the end of himself and nearly commits suicide around Christmas, but is shown by an angel named Clarence, who is trying to earn his wings, that he has really lived a wonderful life. There is a man named Santa Claus who lives at the North Pole and knows everything every child does throughout the year and somehow miraculously delivers toys to all the good children of the world on Christmas Eve. This Santa Claus is helped by elves that make toys (except for one named Hermie who becomes a dentist). One year this Santa Claus was extremely discouraged and there almost wasnt a Christmas. However, with the help of Mrs. Claus, Heat Miser, Snow Miser, Mother Nature and the mayors of the country, Santas depression is lifted. This Santa Claus becomes mad at the people in Junctionville because a mouse writes a letter saying that Santa is a myth. This Santa Claus ends up in a nursing home in Great Neck and is able work a miracle at Macys on 34th Street in New York City, with the help of the United States Postal Service. Flying reindeer make Santas world wind tour possible (particularly Rudolph who has a red shining nose, which comes in handy when you are considering canceling Christmas due to the weather).

To these could be added other observations. Many people refer to the day as Xmas. People cut down trees and bring them into their houses to decorate. People put up thousands of lights on the outside of their house even though PSNH charges 13 per kilowatt-hour. People go on shopping sprees buying presents for everyone and their brother. These same people, who would never get up Sunday morning to go to church, are seen at WalMart at 7:00 am. Parking lots at malls are packed with customers needing to drive around for long periods of time just to find a parking spot. In fact, the day after Thanksgiving, some of these people will get up at 2:00 am and stand in the cold outside a store in order to get a certain toy. People go to parties galore (at the office, at the school, in homes). People sing songs about their mother kissing Santa Claus and their grandmother getting run over by reindeer. People drink eggnog. People send cards. People give money to Salvation Army soldiers dressed as Santa Claus. People crowd into churches on Christmas Eve, in numbers that are only exceeded by those seen on Easter (another holiday that would appear strange to an outsider, but thats a topic for

another day). Add it all up and is it any wonder that Charlie Brown cried out Isnt there anyone here who can tell me what Christmas is really about? Charlie Browns friend Linus made a good stab at it when he quoted Luke 2:1-14: Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of Yahweh suddenly stood before them and the glory of Yahweh shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, " Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ, Yahweh. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'' And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'' Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Savior. His birth is heralded as good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people. The Greek word for good news is euangelizo from which we get our English word evangelize. The noun form is often translated gospel. What kind of good news was it? It is good news that brings great joy. The Greek word for great is megas from which we get our suffix mega- meaning large or a million (e.g., Mega-Bucks, which for some people means great joy). The phrase great joy is used elsewhere in Scripture to describe: the magi upon finding the young child Jesus (they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy and they fell down and worshipped Him); of the women discovering that Jesus had risen from the dead (they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy); of the disciples upon Jesus ascension back to heaven (they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising God); and, of the inhabitants of Samaria upon hearing the gospel and seeing the demon-possessed set free and the paralyzed and lame healed (and there was much rejoicing in that

city). We are talking about life-changing experiences: not for instance being happy that Manny Ramirez signed with the Red Sox or that the election is finally over. The problem with those last two examples is their scope, significance and permanence. Their scope is limited: Yankee and Indian fans are not very happy that the Red Sox signed Ramirez and people who voted for Al Gore are not happy at all with the way the election ended. From an eternal perspective their significance is limited: whether or not the Red Sox win or whether George Bush or Al Gore is President of the United States are really not that important. Finally, their permanence is limited. If the Red Sox dont win the World Series next year, the joy of signing the slugger will fade. And even if they do, he is bound to have an off season some time during the eight years of the contract. If George Bush doesnt come through on things he promised to do, even those who cheered him will lose their enthusiasm. However, the good news shared by the angels was for all people (scope) and which if believed results in eternal life (significance and permanence). Manny Ramirez and George Bush are not saviors, but Jesus is the Savior of the world. In fact, the name Jesus (Hebrew Yahushua) means Yahweh is salvation. We have looked briefly at what kind of good news the angels proclaimed, but what is the good news or gospel? Lets try to look at the gospel in small segments that build on each other. It is important to note that the gospel centers on God not man. Throughout this presentation we will refer to the glory of God, which in simple terms is the sum of His perfect attributes (His power, wisdom, mercy, grace, love, patience, kindness, goodness, sovereignty, righteousness, justice, etc.). 1. God created all things for His glory. And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters. (Revelation 14:6, 7). A reading of Psalm 148 shows how everything in creation proclaims the greatness of God. God created man in His image and with the special capacity to glorify Him. Although modern man wants to place himself only a step above apes, the truth is that Adam and Eve were created in the image of God in that they had minds (an ability to know God and to think about Him), emotions (the ability to desire and find their fulfillment in God) and wills (the ability to choose to obey God). As such, all of mans relationships (summarized below) are to be centered in God.

2.

Direction Upward Inward

Towards God Self

Short Description Worship Walk

Longer Description Reverence for God Exalting His Name Relationship with God Experiencing His Fellowship Represent God Expressing His Greatness Responsible to God Extending His Sovereignty

Outward Downward

Others Creation

Witness Work

3.

Therefore, it is mans responsibility to glorify God. The Apostle Paul makes this very clear with this simple yet all encompassing statement, whether, then, you eat or drink or WHATEVER you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). We have all failed to glorify God. Paul writes in Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. What does it mean to fall short of the glory of God? It does not mean we were supposed to be as glorious as God is and have fallen short. We ought to fall short in that sense! We have all fallen dreadfully short in our duty to glorify God; in fact there is no distinction, we have all come in last place. Our sin can be seen in each area of our relationships discussed above: God (Exalting the Creature Rather than the Creator) - Even though they knew God, they did not honor (glorify) Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures for they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:21-23, 25) Self (Exchanging Fellowship with God for Empty Relationships) - Thus says Yahweh, What injustice did your fathers find in Me, that they went far from Me and walked after emptiness and became empty? Has a nation changed gods, when they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, and shudder, be very desolate, declares Yahweh. For My people have committed two evils; They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (Jeremiah 2:5, 11-13)

Others (Expressing Our Greatness Instead of Gods Greatness) - Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. And it came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, Come let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly. And they used brick for stone, and used tar for mortar. And they said, Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name; lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:1-4) Creation (Excluding God from Our Everyday Lives) A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me. And he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living (Luke 15:11-13). The request is tantamount to saying the son wished his father was dead. This act pictures all sinners (related to God as Father by creation) who waste their potential privileges and refuse any relationship with Him, choosing instead a life of sinful self-indulgence. In short, SIN is an ATTACK on the glory of God. It is very serious. 5. Because of our sin, we justly fall under Gods judgment. In sharing the gospel with the Romans, Paul begins with the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (1:18). God is a holy God and He must punish sin. Paul continues, even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them (vv. 28-32). Death, separation from God is the punishment for sin.

4.

6.

God sent His Son to die in the place of sinners. Jesus was born to die on a cross to suffer the wrath of God for sinners and rise again on the third day. Again, this is all about Gods glory. In the words of John Piper, the WISDOM of God has ordained a way for the LOVE of God to deliver us from the WRATH of God without compromising the JUSTICE of God. When Moses asked to see Gods glory (Exodus 33:18), God replied, I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of Yahweh before you (33:19). When God did pass by Moses, He proclaimed, Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will no means leave the guilty unpunished (34:6-7). God is a forgiving God; but He cannot ignore sin, someone must bear the punishment. And so we read, God (the Father) displayed (Jesus Christ) publicly as a propitiation (appeasing or satisfying sacrifice) in His blood through faith for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:25-26). The cross was no accident (Acts 2:23 predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, Acts 4:28 to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur). In Gods wisdom and love, He devised a plan by which He could appease His wrath toward sin without punishing the sinner. Jesus bore the wrath of God for all. All men everywhere are called to repent of their sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul in preaching on Mars Hill in Athens said, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead (Acts 17:30-31). In sharing with the Philippian jailer, Paul said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31). Salvation from sin comes to those who repent (godly sorrow over ones sinfulness, a recognition of ones spiritual bankruptcy and inability of doing anything that could please God) and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (a trust in what He accomplished on the cross and not in their own supposed goodness or works of righteousness).

the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21-24). The wisdom of the world and what it has done to Christmas was discussed at the beginning of this meditation. However, by replacing God with Santa Claus, man has turned his back on Gods only way to deal with his sin. Maybe, like the Jews of Jesus day, you feel that you are a fairly good person. Your opinion is in contradiction to the clear teaching of Scripture: there is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one. there is no fear of God before their eyes by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight (Romans 3:10-12, 18, 20). To you, the need for Jesus to die on the cross is a stumbling block. On the other hand, like the Gentiles of Jesus day, you feel that there is no God and the cross is foolishness. Again you opinion is in contradiction with Scripture: that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:19-20). So what is Christmas going to be for you, gobbledygook (a hopeless mixture of Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, eggnog, mistletoe, jingle bells, presents, trees, wreaths, tinsel, packed malls and on and on) or good news of great joy? The place the Lord Jesus Christ has makes all the difference in Christmas and even more importantly in your life. Give Santa Claus the boot and give the Lord Jesus Christ the place He deserves in your Christmas celebration and in your heart. If you would like to discuss what I have shared in more detail, I am more than eager to do so. God Bless.

7.

Linus was partly right. Christmas is about the birth of the Savior. But many people have no problem celebrating the birth of a baby. But Jesus was born to die; die for our sins. And that is the problem - most do not want to admit that they are sinners. Paul writes, for

In Jesus Love, Donald