WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES
Text: Micah 5:2
Among the many Christmas cards which Tanna and I receive every year, we received one a few years ago that was more of a little booklet than it was a card. It contained a series of 4 short Christmas stories, all contributed by Christian writers. And one of the stories I read in it was a story entitled, “The Gift of a Child,” by Mary Ann Matthews. It was so moving to me – I just wanted to share it with you tonight.
She wrote, “Christmas comes at different times for me every year. I never know precisely when it will arrive or what will produce its spirit, but I can always be sure that it will happen.
Last year Christmas happened while I was visiting my parents. The day was frightfully cold, with swirls of snow in the air, and I was looking out of the living room window of my folks’ home which faces St. Mary’s Church. Workmen had just finished constructing the annual Nativity scene in the churchyard when school let out for the day. Children gathered excitedly around the crèche, but they didn’t stay long: it was far too cold for lingering.
All the children hurried away – except for a tiny girl of about six. The wind lashed at her bare legs and caused her coat to fly open in the front, but she was not even aware of the weather. All her attention was riveted on the statues before her. Which one I couldn’t tell. Was it Mary? The Baby? The animals? I wondered.
And then I saw her remove her blue woolen head scarf. The wind quickly knotted her hair into a wild tangle, but she didn’t seem to notice that either. She had only one thought. Lovingly, she wrapped her scarf around the statue of Baby Jesus. After she had covered it, she patted the Baby and then kissed it on the cheek. Satisfied, she skipped on down the street, her fair frosted with tiny diamonds of ice. Christmas had come once again.”
You know, whether we are anticipating it, or whether we are ready for it or not – Christmas always comes one day a year, on the calendar. It’s been coming on the 25th of December for as long as any of us have been alive. But, for so many in our world, all it ever does is come on the calendar – one day a year. For, it never comes in their hearts – many days of the year.
For those who know the real joy of Christmas – you can’t possibly wrap all the excitement, and all the anticipation, and all the sacredness up into a single 24 hour period. I hope that by now, Christmas has already come within the hearts of everyone here tonight. It’s not a single day’s happening. It’s an entire season – that we celebrate on a specific day. And I just wanted to ask you three simple questions this evening – as we look forward to that one day – this coming (day of the week).
1. WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES, WILL GOD FIND YOU WORKING – LIKE THE SHEPHERDS OUT IN THE FIELDS?
Luke 2:8 says, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” I think it’s a wonderful testimony and tribute that the first to learn of the birth of Christ – were working men. . .ordinary laborers. They didn’t enjoy the great luxuries of the wealthy. They didn’t have the great learning of the scholarly. They were simple, dedicated men – who were simply doing the job that God had set before them to do. They didn’t know you were supposed to be off on Christmas, I guess!
And now, I hope that for every one of your sakes – you all get a day off on Christmas. I know that some of you probably won’t – but I wish it for you anyway. But I’m not really talking about your being in the office, or in the factory, or wherever you work on Christmas Day. I’m simply talking about being about the work that God has set before you – during this season, as well as all others. Not becoming slack in your faithfulness – because other things are crowding in on you. Not becoming negligent in your service – because your attention is being drawn elsewhere. Not becoming neglectful in your stewardship – because of all the other bills you’ve run up.
In the 17th chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus prayed to the Father, “I have finished the work which you gave me to do.” (vs. 4) And how I pray that one day when I stand before God – I can say, without any hesitation, “Father, I have finished the work which you gave me to do. I did my best to achieve every challenge you placed before me. I was about your business when you called me home.”
Christmas is certainly no time to let up on our commitments to Christ – and to His church. You see, he honored those whom he found working when he came the first time. Will God find you working – when Christmas comes?
2. The second simple question is – WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES, WILL GOD FIND YOU WATCHING – LIKE THE WISE MEN?
In Matthew 2:2, we find recorded the only question that the wise men asked. They said, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Now the wise men were probably astronomers. We don’t know if they were kings – even though we sing, “We Three Kings from Orient are. . .” We don’t know with any certainty that they were royalty – although the word “Magi” certainly sounds “majestic.” But we assume that in order to be granted a royal audience with Herod – they must have been men of some standing and importance. For years they had scanned the heavens – familiarizing themselves with all the stars, charting all the constellations, and documenting any event out of the ordinary. Why, prior to Bethlehem’s star appearing – I’m sure they were quite confident that they had just about seen it all. But one night, a star – so magnificent and out of the ordinary appeared – and they knew it was no freak accident of nature. Such a brilliant star in the sky, they must have reasoned, could only be a sign from God that the King of all kings had been born. So, they packed their bags, saddled their camels, and set off to find him. And when they found him – they presented their precious gifts, and they worshipped him.
Just think of the joy they would have missed had they not been watching!
In the 12th chapter of Luke, Jesus said, “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. . .It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.” (vs. 36-38)
Christmas should beckon us to spiritual watchfulness and readiness – as much as any season of the year. For we know not the hour, or the day, when the Son of Man shall come again. So, we need to be always watching, and always prepared – as the wise men were. Will God find you watching – when Christmas come?
3. And then the third simple question is – WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES, WILL GOD FIND YOU EXPECTANTLY WAITING, LIKE SIMEON AND ANNA?
This part of the Christmas story is so often overlooked. Eight days after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary took him to the temple in Jerusalem to be circumcised and presented to the Lord – according to the Law of Moses. There was a man at the temple by the name of Simeon. The Bible says he was a righteous and devout man. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Christ with his own eyes. (Luke 2:24-26) And when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus – Simeon took the baby in his arms, and he looked up to heaven and prayed, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
And there was also a prophetess at the temple, by the name of Anna. She was a widow lady of 84, and the Bible says she never left the temple – but worshiped there day and night, fasting and praying. (Luke 2:36-37) And when she beheld Jesus, the Bible says, “. . .she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38)
The story of two faithful servants of God – who were simply trusting God to keep his word. They knew it would happen – and they were waiting, expectantly, for his coming. My friends, are you trusting God to keep his word today? Are you confidently waiting for his triumphant return? Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3) His word declares, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) Do you believe his promises still apply to our day? I do – that’s why I’m waiting to see him. Will God find you waiting when Christmas comes?
It’s more than a day – it’s a season. It’s more than a sensation – it’s a spirit. It’s more than a scheduled event – it’s the most joyous celebration there is. When Christmas comes – will God find you working. When Christmas comes – will God find you watching? When Christmas comes – will God find you expectantly waiting? When it comes – may it come in all the fullness and all its beauty to your heart.
