Christmas Blues! Have you ever experienced it? There was a story I found where a man named Russell Moore experienced Christmas blues. He stated, “I overheard a man talk about why he hated Christmas Music. And while everyone heard the music in the store, I couldn’t help but to agree with him on how awful this song was sung. But then the man exclaimed how he hated nearly all Christmas music abroad which made me start to think I am in the presence of the Grinch, but then the man explained why. Christmas is boring! There’s no narrative tension as it seems like when you read a book that has no conflict in it. This left me scratching my head, but the man goes onto explaining, the lyrics of Christmas songs could not encompass such terror or Moxy to the point of causing any uproar or terror. But what some people may not realize is the very first Christmas carol was a war hymn. Mary the mother of Jesus sings of God’s defeat of his enemies and then you hear about how in Christ He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate (Luke 1:52). Then the Christmas story has some villains involved, and Simeon’s song likewise speaks of a fall and rising of Israel, and of a sword that would pierce the heart of Mary herself. So, in what I’m trying to portray to you this morning, is Christmas too Simplistic or boring for today’s troubles, or are we ignoring the real reason of Christmas? Do we harness the spectacle of tinsel, garland, gifts and family gatherings over the core of what Christmas is all about? One thing I think is very important to note here, Christmas is found nowhere in scripture! Not even mentioned once! As a matter of fact Christmas is the middle ages word “Christ’s Mass,” meaning a day to remember the birth of Jesus, the savior of the world.
This is what Advent is supposed to help us do friends. Remember, reflect and respond to coming King of Kings! Today marks the first Sunday of Advent, and as we collectively gather in God’s house to fellowship, worship and praise the living God, we also need to do something very important as well. Be prepared for His coming, His return!
In the Gospels, Mary’s response from the angel’s declaration to her being the mother of Jesus tells us of her faith and presence of God when she said “My soul praises the Lord’s greatness! My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior, because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant.” Mary did not locate God’s presence at this moment, she literally lived it as what she declared “His humble servant.” Can we say that about ourselves today? You see, the season of advent begins with announcements that God is fulfilling God’s promise to bring not a virgin birth to light, or wiseman to a manger, or even gifts that have splendor and delight. In reading the Gospels, you will find God is fulfilling His promise to bring justice and redemption for the suffering. This doesn’t sound very Christmasy does it? But this is true story of Christmas. I would go onto say that for many, the story of Christmas that we hear and read includes the wonderous actions from angels singing from heaven to the wiseman delivering great gifts, but what seems to be skipped or even misplaced is the real reasons why Jesus was born to us in the first place! The children of the world are sort of not told that part too much. It’s not like it was hidden to everyone as even the great prophets like Jeremiah declared Jesus’s birth, Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch of David sprout; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety; and this is the name by which it will be called: the Lord is our righteousness.
So if you think about it this morning, really think, what are we to really do with Christmas, if it wasn’t for the worldly splendor that is marketed today? Don’t get me wrong as I love me some great Christmas classic musics and Hallmark movies and such. Not to mention Home alone and several other classics, but boiled down, what is God really doing here with Christmas? Well, its not something some of you would want to hear, but we find in the Gospel of Luke, 21, “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” “But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. 36 But stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Wow! What does this have to do with Christmas!
This apocalyptic warning tells of a world that we are on the verge of being turned upside down period! Where is the beautiful streaming colors and presents under the tree? Friends, the Gospels are clear. Christ came to save us, redeem us, all by way of the Nativity Story that we know so well. We tend to mark not just a wonderous event like a baby being born, but born from a virgin womb and where angels, signs and wonder surround the people of the world with a glimmer of hope by the way of God drawing nearer and nearer to His people—US!
You see friends, even though God has a very poetic, extravagantly way of proclaiming His work, He is stating to each of us today that rather than be in fear or dread of the world and the evil therein, those that are faithful are to take heart and raise their heads knowing redemption is near. God is making good on His promises. Its final! Its complete. Its done! God is turning towards us more and more!
In closing, I would like for you to focus on verse 28 once more. “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!” Now, what does redemption mean? Well, the Greek word used here “apolootrosis” means to be released from by payment or ransom; deliverance. God came to release us from the debt of sin by way of His only son. This is the story of Christmas. This is God drawing near to us. This is where we have to be prepared friends for Christ’s coming again, to bring those who’s names are written in the lambs book of life to be with Him in paradise forever. Saved, redeemed, forgiven. We have to prepare ourselves which is what Advent means, the beginning of and waiting for the arrival of God in returning to us! But what seems to be forgotten by most Christians is when God came to draw near to us, sin had to be dwelt with. It could not be ignored. Just as Christ came to fulfill the promise of God to save us, we too will be held accountable at the day of judgement for the sins we committed. If our names are not written in the lambs book of life then this is where judgement takes place.
Several thousand years ago, God first promised a redemptive story to take place. Two thousand and twenty four years ago, it became a reality. Now we are living in what is called the last days. I do believe some if not most Christians do not believe in God’s judgement, but even as scripture tells us, He shall judge the quick and the dead.
Please friends, take from this message a pronouncement of hope as we do celebrate the joyous time of friends and family, we also need to prepare ourselves in remember what Christmas is all about. As Dr. Seuss the Grinch quoted so well, “Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” SO in reality, we have something to really look forward to as we prepare ourselves for Christ second coming in response to His Holy Promises. And remember this. The best way to prepare for Christ’s coming, is to never forget the presence of Christ in our lives by allowing God to draw nearer and nearer to you. Amen.