Dakota Community Church
December 16, 2007
Christmas Magic
There is a commercial on the radio right now that talks about growing older, becoming more mature and finding out what Christmas is all about.
From the beginning it says, it’s all about the gifts, “What are you wishing for, what’s on your list, what did you get?”
But as we mature it points out, we discover – it’s about the giving – “The giving’s the thing”
Then it goes on to explain that our giving should be purchased in their place of business – so back to the getting!
In truth the magic of Christmas is not in the giving or in the getting, the real magic of Christmas, what keeps most of us celebrating it and looking forward to it, inventing things like “Christmas in July”; is … the promise of a changed life!
Think about our favorite Christmas stories and characters:
1. Scrooge
From “A Christmas Carol”:
``a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?’’
``Nothing!’’ Scrooge replied.
``You wish to be anonymous?’’
``I wish to be left alone,’’ said Scrooge. ``Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.’’
``Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.’’
``If they would rather die,’’ said Scrooge, ``they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.
2. George Bailey
Mr. Potter to George Bailey:
Look at you. You used to be so cocky. You were going to go out and conquer the world. You once called me "a warped, frustrated, old man!" What are you but a warped, frustrated young man? A miserable little clerk crawling in here on your hands and knees and begging for help. No securities, no stocks, no bonds. Nothin’ but a miserable little $500 equity in a life insurance policy.
[Potter chuckles] You’re worth more dead than alive!
3. Grinch
Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot,
But the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville, did not.
The Grinch hated Christmas — the whole Christmas season.
Oh, please don’t ask why, no one quite knows the reason.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
Or maybe his head wasn’t screwed on just right.
But I think that the best reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
4. Humanity
Romans 8:19-24
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
5. You
I Corinthians 6:10-11
…Thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
John 10:9-10
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The question remains, “What about you?
Which side of the Christmas story are you living on?
Have experienced the magic of Christmas?
Has your life been changed by the babe in the manger?
PowerPoint available (Free of charge) on request dcormie@mts.net
