A Christmas Message From The Peanut Gang

I would like to try and preach from one of the familiar books in the New Testament that depicts the beginning of Christendom. A beginning of how Christmas really gotten started. And I am not putting down the other legends or folklores of traditions of Christmas like the story of the Christmas Tree or the various stories or those Christmas songs and hymns we still sing or the legend of St. Nicholas who later became Father Christmas, Kris Kringle and then later Santa Claus. I have nothing against the telling of those stories, but I want to tell the reason for the Season when our Savior came down from 40 and 2 generations taking off His royal glory and came down to planet Earth as a baby proclaimed The Savior of the World on a silent, night holy night when all was calm, and all was bright.

I want to try and preach this message by way of the Holy Spirit and through the eyes of Charles Shultz's characters, "A Christmas message from the Peanut Gang"

First, the news of the coming of this new king came from Prophet Isaiah 9: 6-7, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall the called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace shall be no end, upon his and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord hosts will perform this".

For centuries, the promise of the messiah has been foretold. Some thought that this peculiar Savior will overthrow the Roman Empire saving them from the clutches of Caesar. A Savior that will bruise their government by swiping them with just one mighty hand saving His people. A Savior that would rule sitting on the throne of David and Solomon defeating anyone that does not obey and at the same time bring peace in the land.

When reading this Scripture again, the meaning becomes clear. The message is bold and so forthcoming that all the world would get excited about it.

Let's look at this again and take note what the Lord and the Holy Spirit is saying to us:

This is a prophecy of the coming rule of Jesus on earth. These verses gather into one announcement, the predictions of the birth, the deity, his earthly government, his just kingdom, and eternity of Christ.

A) For unto us a Child is born. The purpose of Christ's coming was for "us".

B) Unto us a Son is given. Jesus did happen upon earth. From eternity God planned to "give" him. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus existed eternity as the Son. The word "Son" is used to show the relationship between the Father and Son.

C) And the government will be upon His shoulder. Jesus will reign as King Jesus, King of the world. The government of the entire world is on His shoulders.

D) And His name be called Wonderful. When he came, he was a wonder. He transcends human understanding. He is unique among human beings. He stands supreme above everyone else. His name is wonderful because he is wonderful.

E) And His name will be called...Counselor. Jesus reveals the mind of God. He counsels us from God's perspective. He gives God council.

F) And His name will be called...Mighty God. He is God almighty. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Deity in bodily form. (Colossians 2:9)

G) And His name will be called... Everlasting Father. This better translates, "The Father of eternity". All the ages meet in him (Hebrew 1:2). The Son is not to be confused with the Father, although the Father and He are one. (John 10:30)

H) And His name will be called .... Prince of Peace. Peace will characterize his reign upon the earth,

Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end

Upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgement and justice

From that forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

God made a covenant with David many years before the writing of Isaiah that His Son would reign forever. This has not yet been fulfilled. (Revelations 3:21)

PRINCIPLE: God predicted the coming of Christ. He is sovereign over the affairs of man.

APPLICATION: We can rest confident that God manages the world well.

In the famous comic strip, The Peanuts, the meaning of Christmas seemed to be not clear in the mind of poor old Charlie Brown. You see, Charlie Brown's gripe was the commercialism of Christmas and perhaps the misrepresenting of what Christmas really means after being loss in all the commercialism that comes along with it.