Title: When The Grinch Steals Christmas
Series: When God Breaks the Silence
Text: Luke 1:39-56 (NIV)
Plot Summary:
His plot was diabolical; his plan was simple. He would stop Christmas from coming. He no longer wanted to hear the whos in whoville celebrating. So the Grinch dresses up like Santa Clause, places fake antlers on his dog’s head, and heads down from his mountain home. He sneaks into each of the homes in Whoville and begins to steal everything that resembles Christmas.
Toys and decorations; lights and trees; he even goes as far as to steal the Roast Beast. Gifts and candy he takes the whole lot. Not an ornament, not a toy, not a crumb he forgot.
Do you remember how the story goes? The Grinch reaches his mountain top home and he thinks he will hear crying. Instead, what he hears surprises him. The citizens of Whoville have gathered in the town square, from biggest to small, and have joined hands in singing.
I’ll let Dr. Seuss take it from here.
He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?”
How can it be so? The Grinch had stolen everything that looked, smelled, tasted, or felt like Christmas. It shouldn’t feel like Christmas. I read the story or watch it on video and I often wonder how I would react if the Grinch stole my Christmas. Would Christmas feel like Christmas?
Have you ever had a time when Christmas did not feel like Christmas? What happens when the Christmas season doesn’t feel so special? What happens when we want to be around the family and they can’t (or won’t) come around; what happens when a loved one is gone and the house feels empty? What happens when times are tight and there aren’t gifts piled under the tree; what happens when the music doesn’t lighten the mood; when the decorations and lights seem drab. What happens when the atmosphere surrounding Christmas gets sucked away and Christmas doesn’t’ feel like Christmas anymore?
Sometimes it feels like the Grinch has stolen Christmas. Have you ever longed to have that song of Christmas restored in your soul? What does that look like? How do we accomplish that during the busy, often hectic season we call Christmas? Let’s explore this question today as we look at our text. (Luke 1:39-56)
Context:
Mary has been visited by an angel and told she will conceive a child even while she is a virgin. She responds to God with these words, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
Last week, we learned the same angel visits her fiancé Joseph and tells him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The child to be born will be special. He is to remain in the picture.
This week the text begins,
Text:
Luke 1:39-40 (NIV)
“39 At that time… (What time? After Mary had conceived Jesus through the power of the H.S.)
…Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
It is apparent that Mary is anxious to see her relative Elizabeth. She has learned from the angel Gabriel that Elizabeth even in her old age is expecting a child too. And Mary hurries to see her.
I think the visit is prompted by two reasons. First, I think Mary went to help Elizabeth with chores around the house. After all, Elizabeth is elderly and is now under the additional stress of being pregnant. Second, Mary is pregnant herself and unmarried. I think the extended stay with Elizabeth is meant to protect Mary from backlash from people in her own village.
Listen what happens next.
Luke 1:41 (NIV)
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
This is the Holy Spirit speaking through Elizabeth. Before Elizabeth can speak for herself, the H.S. causes the baby in Elizabeth’s womb to leap with joy. And Elizabeth loudly proclaims a blessing on Mary. It’s not a mumbled message. These words are special. It almost seems like the Holy Spirit does not want those present to miss it.
So the text says,
Luke 1:42
42 In a loud voice she (Elizabeth) exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
(Slide: I. Celebrating a deeper Blessing)
It’s a blessing. This visit is met with an immediate blessing. Elizabeth through Mary focuses on the blessing. It may sound like a Hallmark greeting, but to a Jew a blessing would be important. This is deeper than words and heart felt sentiments. To a Jew a blessing was often a legally binding part of the inheritance. Mary would not have seen this as a greeting card of words. The words would have much more meaning than that. We should also remember that these are words the Holy Spirit are speaking through Elizabeth. The blessing is to be celebrated.
The word used in verse 42 for blessing means “praise to.” It is the same word from which we derive the word “Eulogy”: to speak well of or to honor someone (which we do now at the time of their funeral.) Mary receives a blessing which essentially means, “Honored / or Praised are you among women!” The unborn child Mary carries is spoken about in glowing terms of blessing as well. “And Honored/ or praised will be the child you will bear.” It is an honor bestowed on someone by someone else.
Elizabeth then realizes her own humble position by asking a question: Why should the mother who is bearing the king come to assist me? Look at verses 43-45
Luke 1:43-44
43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
It’s an identity of Jesus moment in this passage. Elizabeth knows who Jesus is. And so does the baby in Elizabeth’s womb. For when he hears Mary’s voice, he leaps for joy within the womb. It’s a “family” reunion in several senses. Mary and Elizabeth; the Holy Spirit (who if you remember is in John the Baptist) and Jesus. And one blessing does not seem to be enough because a second blessing is given.
Luke 1:45
45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
In verse 45, the word for blessing changes. Not in our English translations but in the original language, the word is different. The word is verse 45 denotes “Happy”; “Joyous”; or “Merry.” “Blessed with joy” is the one (who is the one? Mary) (Why?) because she believed what the Lord said could be accomplished! There’s a deeper joy taking place than just the birth of a child.
Mary believed and trusted; she was chosen by God. To be blessed is to be happy because God has touched one’s life. Joy will rain down on those who trust him and his promises. Sounds kind of like faith doesn’t it? The essence of Mary’s response to God was to trust God’s word to be true; to live in light of that belief. And it brought the blessing of “joy.”
Vision Statement:
Do you see it? When we say, “Merry Christmas” it can mean so much more than I hope things are going well or thank you for purchasing. It can be a blessing. “Merry Christmas” means we are blessed with joy at Christmas. When we say “Merry Christmas” it is an invitation to the joy of trust in the light of belief.
That’s what the Holy Spirit is emphasizing.
Listen then as Mary responds to the words of Elizabeth.
Luke 1:46-47 (NIV)
46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
This is music is stirred from deep within. It is soul music/ a soul song. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices.” The song Mary sings reflects her whole being lifted up in praise and rejoicing before God. And Mary has reason to celebrate from deep down. If you long for the spirit of Christmas, listen to the words of Mary’s song.
Luke 1:48 (NIV)
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
Mary focuses on her humble state. A quick read might make it sound like she is bragging about her humility – God knows how humble I am! -- But look at the text!
That’s not it. Mary is simply reflecting the state from where she came. She came from a humble background. She was no one special; no one of importance. Yet, God was mindful of her; he thought of her. And God chose her to be blessed.
There’s a Christmas saying. “It’s the thought that counts.” Why do we say it? We say it because we have to remind ourselves that even though we might be disappointed in the gift, the person still thought of us. The person still remembered us and chose to give a gift to us. “It’s the thought that counts” is a reminder of a person’s faithfulness.
Mary celebrates because God thought of her in her humble state. And the blessing of joy (same word as verse 45) will last for the long haul. All generations will see her joy. Mary is celebrating the child within her!
She realizes what God has done. Mary is blessed because
Luke 1:49-50
49 …the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name.
She begins by focusing on God’s power and how his power has impacted her life. Look at the great things he has done for me. I am bearing the one we will call the Messiah. He has moved me from a humble position of obscurity to a position of great honor.
But that blessing is not simply limited to her. No!
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
(Slide II. Celebrating God’s Mercy)
Mary was chosen through God’s mercy to bear the Messiah, but that mercy extends. It reaches out to all those who fear the Lord. God is rich in mercy and it is a gift he shares abundantly. Here is the amazing part. This birth that Mary celebrates is an extension of God’s mercy throughout all of history. It is a continual thing. While history continues, there is no statute of limitations on God’s mercy. It extends from generation... to generation...to generation...to generation.
You realize that the birth of this child in Mary’s womb is a sign of God’s mercy extended to us don’t you? We are certainly like Mary. We are no one of importance. And like Mary, God in his mercy was mindful of us. We are part of the generation to generation that Mary sings about. Jesus’ birth is an etension of God’s mercy to us when we fear Him. God has included us in his plans.
This Christmas, we can maintain focus when we look on God’s mercy? Instead of trees and lights, presents and family visits, what if we focused on God’s mercy extended to us through the birth of Jesus and what that means – his life, the cross, and the conquered grave? At Christmas we are not left out; instead we are included in God’s plan.
At Christmas we celebrate God’s mercy from generation to generation.
For those who hold themselves in too high of esteem, it’s not this way. Look at verse 51.
Luke 1:51-53
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts (or the imaginations of their hearts). 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
Those who esteem themselves; those who make themselves more important are scattered in their inmost thoughts. They don’t have time to collect themselves. Their focus is constantly shifting because of the imaginations of their own heart. They are like a spoiled child at Christmas. He hops from gift to gift to gift, never grateful, never saying thank you; simply expecting more for himself; ultimately disappointed when the shredding of wrapping paper is over.
Mary describes those who act this way as proud in their innermost thoughts. It’s not pride in our work; "doing a good job"; it’s making themselves the center of importance...self important. And those who center life on themselves will be scattered. Have you noticed that as adults, we too can get self important? It can come in many forms. It happens when people fail to acknowledge our work or our past accomplishments; when we lean on people because of our knowledge; when we think people should put more weight on our contributions. And look what happens.
Those who dwell on gaining power and control (rulers) give up their thrones (power); and those who are wealthy (have much) walk away with nothing (empty). Perhaps that is why Peter tells his readers,
1 Peter 5:5b (NIV)
… All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
(Slide: III. Focus on humility)
If our heart feels scattered, it might indicate a problem with pride. Have you seen it? In the life of someone you know? In your own life? If you are hungering this Christmas to find the spirit focus on humility.
God lifts up the humble. Those who are poor and hungry leave fed with good things.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:3 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. He says in Matthew 5:6 “6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Both come to God from a position of weakness rather than strength. When we approach God with strength and pride He exposes our weaknesses and deals with us through his power. When we approach God in weakness and humility he gives us His strength and deals with us through his mercy.
Mary remembers this as she points back to history and Abraham.
Luke 1:54-56
54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
(Slide IV. We celebrate God’s faithfulness)
Mary looks back at history. She remembers another childless couple. And God chooses Abraham. And he makes this promise.
Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Mary sings that this is the fulfillment of that promise. God remembered to be merciful to his servant Abraham and his descendants. She is celebrating God’s faithfulness. The blessing of the child Mary would conceive would have eternal consequences. Forever.
God is indeed faithful. And this is something we can celebrate this Christmas. When the Grinch steals Christmas,
Answer: We should celebrate that God remembers us. We have been blessed by God’s faithfulness because He sent Jesus. Jesus was an extension of God’s mercy. Even when there are no presents under the tree; even when family is not around; even when the memory of a loved one stirs in our souls; God remembers those who fear him.
Would you join the celebration? Celebrate God’s mindfulness. Celebrate that God has included us. When the mood of Christmas doesn’t feel right, remember his faithfulness to his promises. Remember that we are eternally blessed. We may feel weak; that’s okay. God is strong.
We may not get to hold hands and stand around the town square singing; the trappings of Christmas may still be missing; but we still have reason to celebrate with song. But we can still know that Jesus is the reason that we can have a Merry (a deeply blessed) Christmas.
