Home For Christmas
Pt. 1 - Code #1
VIDEO
I. Introduction
In case you are unfamiliar with Buddy's story. Buddy, as an unwanted infant, was left in an orphanage. However, on a Christmas Eve night, Santa shows up to deliver presents in the orphanage and unnoticed by Santa, Buddy climbs out of his crib and into Santa's gift bag and ends up going home with Santa to the North Pole. When he is discovered by the elves, they name him Buddy because they mistake the brand name of his diaper as his name. Buddy is then raised by elves. He is totally oblivious to the fact that he is actually human until he fails miserably at every task in the workshop. Finally, Santa informs Buddy that he actually has a father in New York and the adventure begins. Still operating from the perspective of an elf, the movie chronicles Buddy's journey as he travels "home" to New York where he ultimately saves Christmas by continuing to live his life according to the tenants of the Elf Code he had learned at the North Pole. Over the next few weeks we are going to learn that code and see if it will help us help others get home for Christmas and see if it will also apply to how we live as well.
When the elves learn the code there is no mention that order matters. So, with permission from Buddy, I am going to change the order.
Elf Code 1 - The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
In essence, this portion of the code is addressing sharing the news of Christmas with those around you!
The spirit of this part of the code was captured in the classic Christmas Carol "Go Tell It on The Mountain!" It is the idea that the good news of Christ's birth is supposed to be broadcast far and wide.
However, when you stop and think about the actual account of Christ's birth it stands in direct contrast to this mentality. Christ is born. His parents are doing their best to stay off the grid so that a maniacal ruler, by the name of Herod, won't slaughter this baby to make sure He wasn't a threat to his rule and control over the land. Even though family members are informed, angel choirs accompany the delivery and wise men travel from afar the news of Jesus' birth isn't really broadcast far and wide. In fact, if you stop and think about it about you are really only talking about 11 people (Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zachariah, an inn keeper, 3 wise men, Simeon, Anna and Herod) that were even aware of Jesus' arrival. Every one of these character seemed to keep the news of Jesus' birth quiet - mom hides truths in heart, Joseph takes the family to Egypt, the inn keeper ignored, the wise men visited and went home while keeping the news to themselves, Ann and Simeon talk to the parents and that is it. We catch a brief glimpse of Him again at 12 and then He seems to fade into the background for 18 years.
Oh, wait there were at least 3 or 4 more that knew who understood the code. Scripture tells us that shepherds are informed about Jesus' arrival.
Luke 2:15-18
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.” So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
The least important people are tasked with the most important message!
Shepherds. These lowly shepherds, the "less thans" in society, the dropouts, the underachievers, forgotten, tolerated, overlooked, and lower echelon. There is one small difference in the account of the shepherds. The Glory of the Lord is an added element. Remember Moses begged to see God's glory and he glowed for days. God actually hid him in the cleft of a rock and covered him with His hand when the glory passed by. But in the account of the shepherds they are treated to the glory of the Lord with no covering. It is interesting that the least get the most! The least are entrusted with the most.
So, these "least" respond . . . entrusted with the same good news that the others were entrusted with only to be met with silence these shepherds respond entirely different. Scripture says they told everyone! Not just friends. Not just family. Not just those who were willing to listen. Everyone!
Why should our response be less than the same? Can't we also say those who deserved nothing got everything? Our rightness as filthy rags. Our works empty. Our worthiness laughable. And like the shepherds . . . We are called to share our story of God coming to us!
I can't help but sing about His goodness, His arrival, His birth. His birth may have been met with relative silence, but our rebirth through Him must not be unsung! Now is not the time to remain silent! Sing loud for all to hear!
Quit trying to explain and simply share your experience. Has God been good to you? Has Jesus turned your life around? Has your night been turned to light? Death to life? Then you have a story to tell and a song to sing. Sing loud, spread the word, share with anyone and everyone! What better news do you have . . . your favorite team, past time, hobby, food, car all pale in comparison to this news!
Why is important to share this good news?
Good news is only good news if it is shared news.
Good news has to be shared! Good news becomes a bad secret when not told. Against the backdrop of so much bad news, fake news, unnecessary news, unwanted news the news we have to share of a Savior, hope, forgiveness and freedom is the best news especially since this also one of the best seasons to share this good news. People's hearts are more prepared. People are looking for hope in this moment. People are thinking about faith in this moment.
"Nonreligious people can’t help but find that the older meaning of Christmas keeps intruding uninvited, for instance, through the music of traditional Christmas carols. To understand Christmas is to understand basic Christianity, the gospel."
What was absent or lacking at His birth has now fallen to us. Broadcasting is now our responsibility. It is now part of our code! Go ye into all the world. Unto us a child. We must get the word out. We are too quiet about Him. Our life sings. It either sings about Him or about something else. Our life either sings about His goodness or it sings about our pain. It sings about His peace or about our panic. It sings about His joy or our junk. It sings about His love or our lack. Every day our attitude, our actions, our conversations sing a song. We must be sure to sing to everyone about Him!
Check your song! Are you a blues singer? Listen to your song!
When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day
I asked the Lord to help me
And he showed me the way
He made me a watchman
Upon a city wall
And if I am a Christian, I am the least of all
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
Our Jesus Christ is born
Or said another way . . . The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. May we follow the shepherd's example - verse 20 - The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen.
May your song, sung by the least important, be louder than all the competing voices, who think they are important, to those who need to hear it most! Their ability to get home for Christmas depends on it!
