Christmas sermon: A Linus Moment
In the classic Peanuts Christmas cartoon Charlie Brown asks the exasperated question-
What is Christmas all about? (This is a great video clip to show before the message.)
Linus comes out on stage and very humbly recites from Luke 2.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
1. A question the World is asking- What is Christmas all about?
Gifts?
Parties?
Santa?
Family?
Feasts?
Lights?
Depression and suicide rates are high at Christmas why?
Is it perhaps because people have lost sight of what Christmas is really all about?
2. Christmas is about God becoming a man.
He was 100% God and 100% Man- a miracle only God could accomplish.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1
3. Christmas is about God being with us as Jesus the Son.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
John 1:14
Jesus did not stay an infant in a manger. He grew, he lived, loved, and died for us.
He also rose for us and is coming back for all those who have him as their Lord and Savior!
A Linus Moment took place on that stage in the Peanuts Christmas cartoon.
Linus was :
Willing
Humble
Light
Biblical
How will we respond this Christmas when God gives us an opportunity to have “A Linus Moment.”
