CAPTURING THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS
-- Pastor Mark Thornton --
Sunday, November 27, 2005
(Note - this is more of an outline than a manuscript. I elaborated and illustrated more than what is printed here.)
* One of the drawbacks of celebrating Christmas every year is that the story of Jesus’ birth is so FAMILIAR that it loses its SENSE OF AWE & WONDER.
* One of the ways we can RECAPTURE THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS is by approaching it in a DIFFERENT WAY.
For generations, people have harnessed the Power of Story to express the magic and meaning of Christmas. Most of us have been enchanted by stories like “The Night Before Christmas” and “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” which, regardless of how many times we hear them, still bring a sense of joy and meaning to the season. Another familiar story, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens has been used to convey important truths about human nature and the “Christmas Spirit”.
Why are we so enchanted by stories such as these? Because a Good Story has the Power to Capture our Imagination. It can carry us off into another place and time, and enable us to experience something wonderful and amazing. It can also be used to teach us about life and about ourselves.
One of the greatest stories ever written is coming to forefront once again – C.S. Lewis’ masterpiece: The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Although it was written over 50 years ago, this amazing work of fantasy has inspired and enchanted readers for generations. And it is a story which has a great deal of significance to us as Christians, especially during this time of year.
Why is NARNIA so significant to us, especially now?
1) This Story has been MADE INTO A MOVIE. As many of you are already aware, Disney and Walden Media have collaborated to bring this remarkable story to the big screen. We anticipate that it is going to be one of the biggest movies of the year.
2) This Story contains many BIBLICAL PARALLELS & TRUTHS. The author, C.S. Lewis, was a Christian who wanted to use the power of story to convey different elements of his faith to his readers – and to inspire them to discover Christ for themselves.
3) As a church, we want to Assist and Empower you to Communicate the TRUTH BEHIND THE STORY. Since people are going to be talking about the story, we want to help you to see and understand the biblical connections within the story (movie) so that you can communicate to people around you. We believe that this will be a remarkable opportunity for telling people about Jesus, and we want you to be equipped to share.
4) We want to Help you to REGAIN THE WONDER of Christmas. Again, by coming at the Christmas message from a different angle, we believe that we will be reminded of the power and awe of Jesus’ birth and life.
(** Note – at this point, I gave a brief introduction to the story – LWW – introducing the context and the characters both through words and pictures on screen)
MAKING THE CONNECTION – Like Narnia…
1) Our World Was Full Of WONDER.
When Lucy (and the later, the other children) first entered the land of Narnia, they were amazed. Narnia was a beautiful place, full of wonder and amazement. They had never seen a place like this – it was “fantastic.” What’s more, it was a place full of animals and other amazing creatures that could talk and interact with them. Their first impressions was one of amazement.
The Bible tells us that this world in which we live was a place much like that – full of wonder and astonishing beauty. Listen to how the Scriptures describe it:
-- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness… Then God said, "Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that it was GOOD… Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was EXCELLENT in every way. Genesis 1:2-4a, 31 – NLT)
As remarkable as our world is now, it was absolutely astonishing when it was first created – excellent in every way. All of us admire and appreciate the work of a stone mason or a carpenter or an artist – people that take something ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary. That is exactly what God did – only He started with nothing. And there is nothing that can compare to his Creation.
-- “The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous CRAFTSMANSHIP.” (Psalm 19:1 – NLT)
What’s more, this world continues to be a place of wonder. Every day, scientists discover more and more of nature, and they are baffled by the intricate design of the world.
-- “Stop and consider the wonderful MIRACLES of God! Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash forth from his clouds? Do you understand how he balances the clouds with wonderful PERFECTION and skill?” (Job 37:14-16 – NLT)
(** At this point, I used an example I heard on “Creation Moments” about the details of how moths are colored and designed – pointing to the amazingly intricate way that God fashioned creation.)
But one does not even need to look outside to see the wonder of God’s creation. Every day, we see it when we look in the mirror. Consider David’s thoughts:
-- “You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so AMAZINGLY and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.” (Psalm 139:13-14 – GWT)
At times we may look in the mirror and feel like God somehow made a mistake when He designed us, but reality is that each and every one of us is a remarkable creation of God – part of this place of wonder which He created for us to enjoy.
MAKING THE CONNECTION – Like Narnia…
2) Our World Was A Place IN NEED OF HOPE.
As amazing as Narnia was, it was a place with a problem. The world was not as it should be – it was cold and barren. The reason? It was under the control of an evil witch. Look at how this situation was described:
-- “The White Witch… has got all Narnia under her thumb. It’s she who makes it always winter. Always winter and never Christmas; think of that!” (LWW - ch.2)
Now I don’t mind winter – I like all the seasons. But I know how some of you feel about winter – you have made it abundantly clear that you seriously dislike winter. You would be perfectly happy not to have to deal with snow and ice and cold. In fact, I saw a sign recently that describes how many of you feel about this season. It said, “Let It Snow, Let It Snow… Somewhere Else!!!”
Well, that’s probably how the creatures of Narnia felt. It was a place in need of hope.
The world which God created was (and continues to be) an amazing place – full of wonder. The world, however, has also been inflicted with a problem which resulted in decay and discouragement. The problem: “Sin.” When sin entered our world, it brought about terrible consequences:
-- "When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam’s sin brought DEATH, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned… Adam’s sin led to CONDEMNATION… The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us…” (Romans 5:12, 16b, 17a – NLT)
Even the world itself was affected:
-- “Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God’s curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from DEATH and DECAY.” Romans 8:20-21 – NLT)
The source of the problem?
-- “… The world around us is under the power and control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19b – NLT)
How has it affected us?
-- “Once you were dead, DOOMED FOREVER because of your many sins. You used to live just like the rest of the world, FULL OF SIN, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God… ALL of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an EVIL NATURE, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else… You lived in this world WITHOUT GOD and WITHOUT HOPE.” (Ephesians 2:1-3,12 – NLT)
MAKING THE CONNECTION – Like Narnia…
3) The Only HOPE For Our World Was The COMING OF THE KING.
Narnia was in a desperate state, and yet there was hope. Not long after the children entered Narnia, they met the Beaver Family. They shared a story with the children which was the source of their hope, a prophecy that indicated that the true King of Narnia would come and change things.
-- “Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight, At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.” (LWW, ch.8)
And the phrase that brought them hope: “Aslan is on the move…” They had heard that Aslan (the King) had been sighted and was finally coming back to Narnia, and that the reign of the white witch would be ended.
In the Old Testament, God spoke a word of hope to the people of Israel – a word that brought encouragement not only to them, but to the entire world:
-- “That time of darkness and despair will NOT go on forever… The people who walk in darkness will see a great LIGHT — a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow… For a CHILD is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:1a, 2, 6 - NLT)
The people of Israel were living in captivity, and yet God brought them a word of hope and encouragement. One day a king would come who would deliver them from their oppression. And that’s exactly what happened – the story of Christmas is that story of hope. Jesus himself declared that hope:
-- Jesus: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach GOOD NEWS to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim FREEDOM for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…” "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18-19, 21 – NIV)
When the Jews first heard this prophecy, they thought that it only applied to them, and that it would mean a national / political deliverance. And yet, we know now that God’s word of hope had a much broader application. Jesus came to bring hope, but not only to a small group of people – He came to bring hope to all. And not just in a political or economic sense, but in a spiritual sense which was far more significant and powerful.
Consider Paul’s words:
-- “(Before Christ came) We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. But when the RIGHT TIME CAME, GOD SENT HIS SON, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy FREEDOM for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (Galatians 4:3-5 – NLT)
The story of Christmas is the story of hope – the coming of a King who would free everyone from the captivity and curse of sin… who would free us from the power and control of Satan… and who would restore the image of God within us. Jesus was (and is) that king.
THE MODERN APPLICATION – How does this apply to us today?
* PEOPLE Are Still In NEED OF HOPE. Despite the fact that Christ came with that message of hope more than 2000 years ago, there are countless people all around us who are still looking for hope. They have not discovered the hope and joy that Christ can bring to their lives. They are still searching for purpose and meaning, forgiveness and freedom.
* JESUS Is Still The HOPE OF THE WORLD. He is the one true source of hope. He is what people are still looking for today. And we, as Christians, are the ones that have the opportunity and the responsibility to share that hope with hurting, seeking people.
* What Does This Mean To Me Today? (Personal challenge)
