AM sermon preached at Syria Christian Church December 21, 2003
Looking for Something More?
(Things Santa Can‘t Bring…That Christ Can)
Tradition tells us that the Santa Claus of legend and lore pops in and out of every house on Christmas Eve bringing Christmas gifts to good little boys and girls and leaving lumps of coal for bad little boys and girls. Now when you do some figuring such a feat would be quite an outstanding accomplishment. Let’s see---you give him 24 hours to accomplish the task, that figures out to be 86,400 seconds, you divide that number by the of homes around the world (we’ll say about 1 billion), variable flight time between houses, landing, dismounting and getting down the chimney that’ll give the round jolly guy, if he travels at the speed of light, somewhere around .0000864 seconds per household to deliver the goods. Now we didn’t account for taking time out to eat cookies, drink milk, and give carrots to the reindeer, nor did we factor in wind resistance to the sleigh and a few other minor details. To put it a little more simply ---in the time it takes us to say the name Santa---about one second---Legend requires that on Christmas Eve the red and white dressed elf get in and out of some 11,574 homes. But so it supposedly goes with Santa.
Now, come Christmas morning, there will be a lot of children thrilled over what they believe Santa brought them. There will as well be many children disappointed by what they believe Santa did not bring them. There will be parents glad to have the shopping side of the Santa thing behind them. And there will be parents dreading the arrival of Christmas bills that lay before them. Some people will find next weekend that the holiday season has left them feeling fulfilled and satisfied. And sadly, many others will walk away from it all feeling somewhat empty and disappointed. But the good news is --- fulfillment, satisfaction and contentment are not only within our reach this Christmas, they’re something we can enjoy everyday. If you’re looking for something more---than look to Jesus. For you see, Jesus can bring us things Santa can’t.
For one, Jesus brings us His presence. Whether you’re watching Christmas movies or reading story books, Santa’s appearances and conversations with those he meets on Christmas Eve are short-lived at best. So if you’re looking for an ongoing relationship that is open to the kinds of everyday interaction that takes place between friends, Santa’s not the answer because while Santa may be credited with the delivery of presents (the kind spelled with a “t”) Santa’s not one to give anyone much of his presence. (spelled presence). You usually catch him telling the privileged few who see him on Christmas Eve that he can’t stay and visit because he’s got so much work left to do and so many more homes to visit. Santa doesn’t offer much in the area of friendship.
On the other hand, the Bible tells us that one of the primary reasons Jesus came to the earth was so that God could make His dwelling with men. Listen to the words of Ephesians 2:13-22.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Matthew in his gospel account describes for us how Joseph came to terms with Mary’s pregnancy; it was through an angel’s announcing to him that the child Mary was carrying was the Son of God. And then Matthew after relating those details, added this bit of commentary “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’—which means, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:22-23) From the very creation of man in His image, God’s desire is for us to enjoy His friendship, His presence every moment of everyday in every aspect of our lives now and for eternity. And that presence is readily available to each of us. But friends while God’s presence is readily available to us it’s not automatic. Jesus describes how he stands at the door and knocks. He doesn’t use a battering ram and force his way into our hearts and lives. Think about it, on the day of Christ’s birth there was no room in the inn, but there was room in a manger, so guess where Christ was found? Today there are many people who have not opened their hearts to Christ, and there are many who have---guess in which hearts Jesus lives? Jesus offers us the gift of His presence.
Jesus also offers us debt free the gifts of forgiveness, eternal life, love, the Holy Spirit, peace, hope, joy and much more. Whether or not you’re aware of the fact that the legends and stories surrounding Santa Claus have roots that take us back to the fourth century will probably not change your understanding that ever since those 4th century days when the stories were first beginning to circulate, the legends have been kept alive through presents which someone besides Santa bought and paid for or will pay for. Santa’s not the one who pays is he? You don’t see Santa writing the checks, handing over the cash or flashing the plastic even though he often gets the credit. No, we know who takes care of those Santa related bills don’t we? And may I add a little word of caution here to parents and grandparents concerning Christmas gift giving? Please use a measure of wisdom concerning the amounts you spend and the holiday debts you allow yourselves to incur. Jesus didn’t come so that men and women could be set free of their sin debt only to be caught up in financial debt. Jesus comes to us to bring us the truth that sets us free---not only free from sin but also free from the entrapments of the world. And the truth is, the truth is we don’t need all the latest toys, gadgets and whatnots in order for us to have a merry Christmas. In fact there are times when I’ve thought to myself we’d really be better off without them. But that’s a whole different matter and I won’t dwell on that today.
What I will say is that the gifts Jesus offers to us have been paid in full, every one of them. And the price for all the wonderful gifts Jesus brings to us was paid on the cross when Jesus shed His blood for us. 1 Corinthians 6:20 reads, “you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” Acts 20:28 tells us that our membership dues so we could enter into the church family were paid in blood, Jesus’ blood. Most of you probably remember that just before He died, our English translations of the Bible report that Jesus from the cross cried out in a loud voice, “It is finished!” Actually Jesus didn’t cry out the English words “It is finished” rather he cried out in a language everyone near the cross would understand something that sounds like this “tetelesti!” That word was a familiar word used by the people in business transactions. It meant that a debt was paid off in full. When Jesus cried out from the cross “tetelesti” He wasn’t crying out in defeat, that’s it…my life is over, all hope for men is lost because I’m done for…no that’s not what He was saying at all. Jesus was saying “This is it. This is my moment of triumph. I came to pay the price for men’s sins. I came so the Father would vent His full wrath against sin on me so men wouldn’t have to endure it. And I’ve done it. I didn’t back down. I didn’t flee from the pain. I endured it all. I’ve paid the price in full!”
Something else you find Christ brings that Santa doesn’t is equal opportunity to receive the best gifts. For the most part----the way the Santa things work---the equal opportunity to receive the best gifts is missing. Now you’d never get that impression from the movies. The Miracle on 34th Street ends with the little girl not only getting her wish for a father but also her wish for a house. In the movie A Christmas Gift seven year old Alexandria wakes us Christmas morning to find she received the doll house of her dreams. Remember the movie “A Christmas Story?” {Video clip, possibly…} Little Ralphie has his heart set on getting a BB gun. But not just any BB gun. No, he wants a “ ….” He makes a trip to see the Santa at the store, waits in line for what seems like an eternity…. Of course, in the end on Christmas day, Ralphie gets his red rider BB gun. In Christmas movies children are very rarely, if ever, disappointed….and Santa gives equally fair amounts of presents to all the children. But what’s observed on the widescreen doesn’t mesh with what’s seen in real life, does it?
Every teenager, every adult knows that it’s a fact of life ---come Christmas---children from wealthy families will receive more packages and more expensive gifts under their trees that list Santa as the giver than will children from poor families. We know… that some children will get everything on their Christmas wish list---while others may get only one item… and some will get nothing. It’s a situation that’s hard for both the children of poor families and their parents. And when some of the children from less fortunate families compare notes with their wealthier classmates and friends…they often struggle with feelings of inferiority. And when they believe they have been as good as others who have received more presents than they did----is it any wonder that it raises some serious questions about Santa’s sense of fairness in their hearts and minds?
Christ, friends, does not disappoint anyone in that fashion for He offers all people the same opportunities to receive the best gifts He has. In fact the very people God chose to announce the birth of Christ to --was meant to drive home that very point. God didn’t send a legion of angels to wealthy elite…He didn’t send the angels to the king’s palace to announce Jesus’ birth. Nor did He send angels to those who had both financial and religious clout----He didn’t send the angels to the proconsul or the chief priests. God sent the angels to make the announcement to shepherds. Now I believe it’s important for us to understand that in the first century, at the time Jesus was born, shepherds typically were members of the have-nots society. They were on the low end of the economic totem pole. And it was too them the announcement was made; the announcement “do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for ALL the people.” “All the people…” In other words the angels announced the fact that Jesus is an equal opportunity Savior. Poor, rich, black, white, red, yellow, tall short, thin, plump, male, female, you, me----all, all the people have equal opportunity to receive the best Jesus has to give.
Let’s remember that this morning as we approach our time of invitation. We’ll be singing _________________ as our invitation and decision hymn after I share one final illustration with you which I found in one of Bob Shannon’s sermons. Mr. Shannon writes, “When our daughter was very young, she said, “Daddy, why do we have Christmas?” I said, “You know why we have Christmas.” “oh, yes,” she said, “It’s so Jesus can come.” I think she meant to say, “It’s because Jesus has come,” but what she said is absolutely accurate. We have Christmas so Jesus can come to us. Bob finishes his illustration by quoting these lines from the Christmas hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
O holy child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
God desires that for you. The question of this time of invitation is “do you desire that too?” If you haven’t yet given your heart and life to Christ and you’d like to do that this morning, please won’t you come forward as we stand and sing……….
NOTE TO THOSE WHO READ AND OR CHOOSE TO MAKE USE OF ANY OR ALL OF THIS SERMON: I am sharing this sermon with the hopes it will be an encouragement to others. I know that coming up with new Christmas sermons every year can be difficult! I apologize for any blatant typing errors---I debated submitting the Christmas sermons I have this year because I have not taken the time to edit them. However, I decided that people will find them more helpful at this time than at other times of the year. So, there you go…. I try to give credit where credit is due, noting writers and or sources to the best of my ability. I have for years been drawing from a wealth of sources including this website. I recognize that my mind and writing processes are fallible. I may occasionally fail to properly identify a source. Please do not take offense if you see anything of this nature. I never intend to plagiarize. Having said that I want you to feel free to draw from my message. When appropriate I hope you will give credit as I do. But most of all I hope Christ will be lifted up and God will receive the glory in all things.
