A Christmas Carol – A Carole Christmas Story!
Thesis: We need to receive the gift of Jesus and be the gift of Jesus to others because this is the best Christmas gift you can give Jesus for His birthday!
Introduction: Summary of Play:
Tonight, we have been enlightened, we have been blessed as we witnessed the story of a Scrooge like character named, “Carole Christmas.” As she changed from a “Ba Humbugger” to a person filled with the merriment of Christmas. Jamonica Disser wrote our play tonight and helped us apply the old story of “A Christmas Carol” to our own time and lives tonight, I prat that it opened your eyes to our selfish culture of today, to the loss of the true Christmas spirit, to some’s “Ba Humbug attitude toward Christmas – toward the anti- “Merry Christmas” crowd.” Our setting was all too familiar a school, students and a teacher.
What a wonderful story and message we have heard and seen tonight, but even more so what a wonderful change of life for “Carol Christmas.” A modern day “Christmas Carol!” A person who discovered that she did have a Christmas heart and that she could lead a fulfilling and happy life. She discovered that she could have a second chance to change the direction and destiny of her life! The story made me smile and cheer for Carol Christmas and for people like her everywhere – people who see they can change their ways and paths – they can make a difference with their life – they can live a life that is celebrated by others in the end!
I. History behind A Christmas Story:
a. Charles Dickens wrote the famous A Christmas Carol back at the end of 1883 and finished it Dec 19th it sold out by Christmas Eve, it was about 6,000 copies.
i. It was an overnight sensation and would become one of the best sellers of all time. The book has never been out of print. His story is still being told – the message is still getting out.
ii. His message opened the heart of the people of England toward Christmas and to charitable giving. It is said that once the book hit the shelves Charitable giving soared throughout England and continued to climb all the way into 1844.
iii. People read the book and opened their wallets to the poor and the needy.
1. Why you may be thinking? Because no one wanted to be like Scrooge and end up at the end of their life with no family, no friends, no mourners, no joy, no soul and a useless life that meant nothing! Some people do live meaningless lives and waste their lives – I know - I have done some of their funerals! I asked a family to tell one thing their dad did which was good for his funeral – they could not give me an answer! How sad and tragic and a symbol of a wasted life and a lost soul.
II. Why Charles Dickens wrote the Christmas Story:
a. Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol to bring back the spirit of Christmas to England and to the world – to open people’s eyes to selfishness, greed, the horrible condition of homeless children and child labor. The picture is given by Dickens with the visitation of Christmas Present who has two children with him, their names are Ignorance and Want.
i. You see he himself knew what it was like to be thrown into child labor when his father was arrested for failure to pay his debts and he was forced to go work in a shoe polishing factory at the age of 12. It was a dark time for Charles which lasted about a year. He understood the pain of homeless children and slave labor of children because he experienced it.
1. This is why he supported “Ragged Schools” – free schools for children who lived in rags – the reason for their name – He believed that educated children could get out of the realm of poverty, slavery and abuse. His reason for writing A Christmas Carol – one of the best selling books of all time was to change the heart of a greedy society which had lost the meaning of Christmas. They had drifted from the true meaning of Christmas. Not so much different than our own time period today.
b. The meaning of the word Christ – Mas needed to be re-emphasized again in England:
i. Christ - mas – Comes with purpose and meaning - Christ is plane to see in the etymology of this word – it remembers Jesus and his great gift and birth. Then we have “Mas” – this is a reference to a time of remembering, a time to celebrate an event.. We hear this word referred to by the Catholic’s who call their church services “Mass’” So the word simply means, “A celebration and remembrance of the birth of Christ.”
III. The Meaning of A Christmas Carol – It’s message to each of us tonight:
a. We know that Jesus was given to the world by God as a precious gift and He is and was an indescribable gift so as we come to understand this amazing gift – we see He came to save us from ourselves, from sinful ways and wayward paths.
i. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
b. Ebenezer Scrooge represented the worst of society – people who are rich, who have materialistic wealth, lots of money, big bank accounts and all kinds of stuff but they have lost their way. They have in the pursuit of riches lost their families, lost their friends, lost their conscience, lost their empathy and lost their souls. All due to greed, to selfishness and as a result they are living wasted lives and meaningless lives.
i. Jesus himself said it well, Mark 8:36-37: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
1. Is money, stuff and greed worth your soul? Is forsaking your family, friends, charitable giving worth your soul?
c. Dickens uses his character Ebenezer Scrooge to open the eyes of English society – to open our eyes too today - he uses the miserable Jacob Marley a partner to Scrooge to tell him it was not worth the price of His soul – that is the money – the forsaking of family and the refusal to help others in need was a huge mistake which caused him to be bound up in chains for eternity.
i. The ghost of Jacob Marley sends 3 spirits to help Scrooge see the error of his ways and to show him the path he is heading down. These three spirits will represent Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas future. These three spirits will reveal to Scrooge his true spiritual condition and the condition of his soul.
ii. The visitations open his eyes. Scrooge has a spiritual epiphany and the result is a new life. Once Scrooge “sees” how he became lost and the destiny he would have experience because of his lost way, he changes! Just like Carol Christmas. The Spirit’s opened his blinded eyes to see – the first time in a long time Scrooge – Carol Christmas really see!
1. Scrooge – Carol Christmas – the converted ones – the “Born Again” ones – the ones filled with joy and the Spirit of Christmas – the ones who are now generous – the ones who care now for the needs of others are filled with joy!
2. Jesus said in John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
a. Scrooge and Carol Christmas at the end of our play, at the end of the original book, even threw many editions of the book, and plays, even the many other similar stories written over the last 135 years - along with the many movies and even opera’s, is filled with the Spirit of Christmas – Scrooge is transformed – He becomes truly Merry! He is bubbling with joy and grateful for life! He change’s and it is good for his soul – yes, his dried up soul gets a burst of living water flowing through it and everyone see’s it. His “Humbug” turns to a “Merry Christmas” and with that comes laughter, happiness and joy. With merriment comes the spirit of giving and the desire to bless others. With the Spirit of Christmas taking residence in his heart he has peace, joy and no more fear just like Jesus said would happen to all who embrace and accept the Spirit of Christ – mas in their hearts and souls.
d. A Christmas Carol captured the soul of the mid-Victorian era and caused a revival of the Christmas holiday. Dickens had acknowledged the influence of the modern Western observance of Christmas in his book and later it inspired several aspects of Christmas, including Christmas trees, decorations, family gatherings, seasonal food and drinks, dancing, games and a festive generosity of spirit. Society changed as a result of this story and it was a Christmas miracle!
IV. Application of the message tonight: What do we need to know and do?
a. Most of us will never experience our past, present and future Christmas’ with the aid of ghosts or spirits who will come and open our eyes to see the condition of our souls and our final destiny.
i. But Jesus sent us the “Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit” to lead us and guide us into truth – He will reveal the condition of our lives and our souls. Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to see what is happening to our own spirit and soul. He sent Him to us so we could be set free from greed, selfishness, and lack of empathy for others. He sent the Holy Spirit to us so we would not forsake our family and friends and live a useless life.
1. John 14: 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
ii. Jesus came and willing gave us the gift of an abundant and blessed life – which is a priceless gift – he gave us eternal life by surrendering His life on our behalf. Now to me that is a great and perfect gift.
1. The Apostle Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 9:15 this gift, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” We read a lot about Jesus in the Bible and through church history and He is described to us by many words – but these words do not do Him justice – to understand how marvelous a gift He really is goes beyond words. I love hearing about presents—- but —- I would rather experience a present right!
2. Jesus is a gift that is only understood and meaningful when you experience Him. – Jesus wants you to experience Him, His presence, His love, His forgiveness, His grace and His Holy Spirit – He wants you to be in a real intimate relationship with Him – You may ask why? – Because He wants to bless you, to give you peace, love, joy and contentment in life! But He also wants to use you to be a blessing to others just like Scrooge was used at the end of our story!
b. I have challenged Christian Hills Church to “Be the Gift” this Christmas season! I am challenging you too – to “Be the Gift!” – to choose to bring the Christmas Spirit back into our needy world, and into the souls of others! Is the Holy Ghost tugging at your heart to do this tonight – Is He speaking to your heart and soul?
i. If we as Christians have received the indescribable and perfect gift of Jesus and we are thankful for this gift then we should want to choose to be the gift to others this Christmas season. We should want to pass it on to others! Why? So, they too can receive the greatest most precious gift of all time. Are you seeing and hearing the message tonight?
c. So here is my message – my two challenges for all of us tonight:
i. We need to receive the most precious and perfect gift of Jesus this Christmas season.
1. If you have never accepted Jesus into your heart and soul do so right now – right in this Christmas moment. Just ask Jesus to come and be a part of your life and heart. Just do what Scrooge did say, “Lord I don’t want to live like this anymore I want to do it the joy filled way. So, Lord please forgive me for all my sinful ways and change my heart and destiny.” You do this and you will experience the perfect gift of Jesus.
ii. The second part of my challenge is for you to go out tonight and choose to “Be the gift” of Jesus to others this Christmas season, to bring peace to others, to give joy to others, to give hope to others, to bring healing to those who are hurting, to help the poor - especially the children.
1. You may be thinking again – WHY?
a. Because this is the best Christmas gift you can give Jesus for His birthday!
b. Did you hear me all Jesus wants for His birthday is your heart and a willingness on your part to pass His precious most indescribable gift on to others!
2. Reference the “Giving Wall!”
a. Since some of you may be wondering about “How to be the gift” here are some of the things that are on our Giving Wall and some things you could do this month to see people impacted by your special gift which are not on the wall but are great things to do:
i. Make homemade decorations (snowflakes, popcorn strings, paper chains, handprint ornaments) with others and with your family!
ii. Bless a missionary with a Christmas gift or package.
iii. Bake Christmas cookies and give to others like your neighbors and but make sure they taste good!
iv. Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood or to a nursing home! Pastor Tiffany is leading teams this month so jump aboard with her.
v. Drive around to see the lights and decorations but take someone with you who cannot do it on their own.
vi. Take someone to a Christmas concert or tree lighting ceremony.
vii. Sponsor a child or family in need check out the giving wall to help people in our domestic crisis center in Tinley Park or for someone in need who is connected with Tinley’s Pass pregnancy center.
viii. Give money to the bell-ringer AND buy them something to eat or drink.
ix. Shovel sidewalks or driveways for neighbors – people in need.
x. Visit residents in a nursing home and give Christmas cards to the residents.
xi. Start or join a “Pay it Forward” in a drive thru lane (pay for the customer behind you)
xii. Offer to babysit for a single mother and give her a gift certificate to go shopping or to pamper herself.
xiii. Volunteer to help serve a holiday meal at a soup kitchen or shelter like at Morning Star or with Tom at Southside Christian Center.
xiv. If you eat out during the holidays, give your server an outrageously large tip, even if they didn’t meet your standards.
1. Note: These ideas came and are adapted from https://redandhoney.com/25-ways-can-gift-others/
Conclusion final challenge:
The to do: We need to receive the gift of Jesus and be the gift of Jesus to others because this is the best Christmas gift you can give Jesus for His birthday!
Please hear my heart tonight: There is someone in need waiting for you to be a gift to them, yes, you have the ability with the help of the Holy Spirit to give them the perfect gift this Christmas season – It could be something as simple as buying someone behind you a cup coffee and your act of kindness makes them smile, who knows they may be having a really hard day and this gesture encourages them, it could be singing Christmas Carol’s at a Senior center to a lonely forgotten person, it could be inviting someone to make cookies with you and then giving them out to someone who really needs a smile this Christmas season. Maybe it’s serving a meal at Morning Star Mission or at Southside Christian Center? Maybe it is giving a financial gift?
Maybe the Holy Spirit is tugging on your heart to give a Christmas Gift to Christian Hills School – please note on the back of your programs some of our needs that we have here at Christian Hills School. Share the Christmas miracle story of 4 windows for the school.
So, if you want to give a Christmas gift make you checks out to Christian Hills and you can place them in the offering boxes by the doors, you can also give online at christianhills.org or contact the school office and give by credit card or debit card.
But can I challenge you to “Be the Gift” and not be a Scrooge this Christmas Season? If we all would choose to do this, I believe we could change our society like Dickens did in England when he wrote and released this story in Dec. 1843.
Pray!
