The Week after Christmas

December 31, 1989

John 1:12

Galatians 4:1-8

What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children we were in slavery to under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

The day after Christmas we sat down for dinner. The Advent Candles were lit, and after the meal we started to read and have a word of prayer. The smallest member of the family present was quick to inform us that "Christmas was over!" We didn't need to carry on with the candles any longer.

And Christmas IS gone for most people, I suppose. But for us Christians?

You have to admit, whatever your religious faith, that Christmas has a powerful effect on most people. It is a curious blend of private and public traditions entwined with a supernatural story that (probably) most people regard as largely myth.

Christmas is a perfect set-up for let-down. It brings huge expectations. Expectations as to "magic moments," and "love," and "togetherness." Somehow it almost always seems that the best Christmases are in the past— Christmases that we dimly remember. It isn't necessarily true- but it seems that way, perhaps.

Some thoughts, the week after Christmas:

I. THIS YEAR'S 'TRADITIONAL' CHRISTMAS IS PAST.

By "traditional Christmas" I mean that human overlay of what once was a spiritual theme. A lot of things about Christmas are beautiful and wonderful and traditional, and that's just fine. [The date itself is traditional, the end of the southern journey of the sun was 'overlaid' on the story of the Prince of Light. And that itself tells a beautiful story. But tradition is never at the heart of Christmas.]

  1. Some parts of Christmas are over- and we're glad. (Some parts of Christmas will be over when we get the bills paid.)
  2. Some parts of Christmas are over and we're sad. I love the soft light of candles; I enjoy visiting and being visited.

II. BUT WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER, CHRISTMAS IS NOT OVER!

THE REAL CHRISTMAS, THE TRUE CHRISTMAS IS A BEGINNING, NEVER AN ENDING. "True Christmas" is that transcendent blending of the human and the divine, where God touches you and me. Heaven did bend low that first Christmas; and heaven still does bend low! Like Jesus Himself — so simple anyone can understand: A baby. Helpless. And yet so wonderful in mystery that no one ever will understand: Great God Almighty! Come to live with you and me!

  1. The HEART of Christmas is never over.

    "Immanuel" means GOD ... WITH US. And Jesus Himself said to those who believed in Him: "I will never leave you or forsake you." "I am with you to the end of the age." 2. This is where our text comes in: This 'continuing Christmas' is for those "who received Him Who came." (John 1:12) He came unto his own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of God, even to as many as believed on His name. 3. So, if we have "received Jesus" then we are children of God

    [Lesson:]

    We are adopted as God's children because: (Galatians 4:4) God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption [THE 'FULL RIGHTS'] of sons.

    We are able to know that we are God's children because: (Galatians 4:6) God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. As sons and daughters of God: then (heirs) of God through Christ. WE MUST PRESS INTO OUR FULL INHERITANCE. (Galatians 4:6) God has made you also an heir.

  2. Our world cries out for sons and daughters of God to come to full maturity, and claim their full inheritance!

    The word in "maturity" is not simply "what are my rights?" It is also "God help me to assume my responsibility!" The full word is "fellowship" or "partnership" — working with Jesus Christ in partnership with God Himself! A=nd this the highest privilege known to men or women.

[ The "collect" of the Old Book of Common Prayer for this Sunday reads: Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; grant that we being regenerate, and made Thy children through adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who giveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.] Christmas is never over IF we are daily being renewed by the Holy Spirit!

III. We Must Carry The Heart Of Christmas With Us All The Year

  1. Some people still don't have a clue to what they miss at Christmas! And it may well be that some people will never know unless God chooses to show them through you or me! 2. We have seen again that the important parts of Christmas are available now. We need to know that ourselves. And we need to be able to tell everyone we can: "As many as receive HIM can become sons and daughters of God!"
  2. John 1:12 is stated in the past tense. But it is not over, yet! As many as Christ comes to, by His Holy Spirit, and as many as receive Him by inviting Him into their lives— to those the promise still stands! 4. We can't "keep Christmas alive" in the sense that many people might understand it. And I'm thankful that that Christmas comes only once a year. But we can do something about keeping the spirit of the TRUE Christmas!! [We can never BUY Christmas. We can never CONJURE UP Christmas. But] Remember, GOD IS WITH US!

CONCLUSION

[This hasn't been much of a sermon, homiletically, perhaps.] But I do have a word from the Lord for you this morning. I received it myself late this week in the course of a conversation with a friend of mine who loves Jesus. It does so happen that we attend very different churches. The word was a GREAT reminder to me. My friend didn't know when she gave it to me, but it was clear and helpful, and I told her so.

She was asking me for help in dealing with a pernicious heresy; she believed I would know Scriptures— and I think I did help her. But she said, "I've been asking the Lord to forgive me for trying to play God in this person's life, i.e., the person to whom she is witnessing.) I need to just love her AND LET GOD BE GOD!" That was the word: LET GOD BE GOD!

If Jesus has really COME, if by His Holy Spirit, He is really here, then in whatever situation I find myself — the real, on-going truth of Christmas is: God is HERE and I can LET GOD BE GOD! How can we find grace to face the challenges of life? How can a pastor speak about wisdom and grace for so many different needs? This past week a new baby came into our church family. One of our dear saints left us for heaven. One person is wrestling with depression. Another family stands at a crossroad of decision. That's the way life is. How indeed! The answer is 'the Gift we got for Christmas!' And the LOVE of Christmas never ends! Jesus is really with us! He is Immanuel! He will give us grace, day by day. LET GOD BE GOD WHERE YOU ARE JUST NOW!

EH 86 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly "Christ the babe, was born for you."