"TRUE GIFT" (Fourth in an Advent Series Entitled: "Prepare the Way") (Titus 3:4-8, Isaiah 9:2-11*)
Song: Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
It is when we accept God’s True Gift that we experience the
Transforming Power of God’s Coming in human form (Incarnation).
Two Lessons:
I. Jesus liberated us from the power and penalty of our rebellion.
Jesus purifies us so that we may live as God’s special people.
Jesus enables us to live as God’s peaceful people in the world.
In Jesus we are recreated as New People – a New Creation.
The Old is left behind.
II. In Jesus we:
A. Renounce those things Separating us from one another ...
i.e.: lying, stealing, cheating, murder, adultery etc.
Strangling us with trivia and things which do not last.ie:
amassing nothing but material things, we must leave behind.
B. Acquire the shining virtues which:
- Marked Jesus’ life.
- Brought light into darkness.
- Allow us to live with prudence and reverence.
The dynamic of this new life is the expectation of Jesus’ return.
Advent is a time for preparing our lives and homes for the coming
of Jesus. In one way, we should always be prepared for Jesus’
coming and promised return.
You better watch out, you better
not pout, you better not cry...
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He’s making a list and checking
it twice ... to find out who’s been
naughty or nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He knows when you are sleeping,
he knows when you are awake.
He knows when you’ve been bad or good So be good for goodness' sake.
Refrain:
The concept of reward is a great motivation for children to behave and do their chores. But is it in direct contrast to the Message of Christmas.
If you closely read the Scripture Lessons cited above, you heard the "Good News" is, "that in spite of humanities’ not being good, God gave us the greatest gift possible, Himself."
I am amazed at how a "positive" idea is turned into reward or punishment. I read the following:
"Last night's talk show host Jimmy Kimmel asked parents to submit videos of their children opening an early Christmas present. However, to ensure that the children would give a disappointed reaction, Kimmel asked parents to give their children a ‘terrible’ gift.
Parents got creative with the prank, wrapping up overripe bananas, half-eaten sandwiches, hot dogs, batteries, and even a can of black beans.
In the submitted video footage, the children eagerly ripped open their presents only to find that they had been duped. The children were unimpressed with the gifts and offered unexpectedly hilarious reactions.
One child named Charlie squealed, ‘I don’t like this,’ after he unwrapped a half used bottle of juice. Another little boy cried after opening a pink activity book and said, ‘This is the worst present I ever got.’ One child asked for a refund while he threw a temper tantrum, running around his house screaming"- (Christian Post)
This reminded me of one of the many repeat Christmas Specials
not pout, you better not cry...
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He’s making a list and checking
it twice ... to find out who’s been
naughty or nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He knows when you are sleeping,
he knows when you are awake.
He knows when you’ve been bad or good So be good for goodness' sake.
Refrain:
The concept of reward is a great motivation for children to behave and do their chores. But is it in direct contrast to the Message of Christmas.
If you closely read the Scripture Lessons cited above, you heard the "Good News" is, "that in spite of humanities’ not being good, God gave us the greatest gift possible, Himself."
I am amazed at how a "positive" idea is turned into reward or punishment. I read the following:
"Last night's talk show host Jimmy Kimmel asked parents to submit videos of their children opening an early Christmas present. However, to ensure that the children would give a disappointed reaction, Kimmel asked parents to give their children a ‘terrible’ gift.
Parents got creative with the prank, wrapping up overripe bananas, half-eaten sandwiches, hot dogs, batteries, and even a can of black beans.
In the submitted video footage, the children eagerly ripped open their presents only to find that they had been duped. The children were unimpressed with the gifts and offered unexpectedly hilarious reactions.
One child named Charlie squealed, ‘I don’t like this,’ after he unwrapped a half used bottle of juice. Another little boy cried after opening a pink activity book and said, ‘This is the worst present I ever got.’ One child asked for a refund while he threw a temper tantrum, running around his house screaming"- (Christian Post)
This reminded me of one of the many repeat Christmas Specials
on T.V. entitled: "The True Gift."
A young boy wakes up early on Christmas morning and dashes downstairs to get a sneak peek at his gift. It was a sweatshirt ...
he had asked for skates. He became so angry that wrote a note
to his parents that he was running away. He took the gifts he had made for his father and mother and threw them in the trash.
At that moment he was transported back to a Christmas in the sixth century Germany. There he met a lady who had chosen not to go with the Magi to visit the "Child King." Her excuse: "I have to clean my house." She had been traveling through the centuries ... Christmas to Christmas, country to country seeking the meaning of the True Gift.
The story continued ... as the woman and the boy experienced the various Christmas legends. Each legend, in one way or another had a "Good Side," Father Christmas, St. Nicholas etc. who rewarded good behavior. Each legend also had a "Bad Side." Black Peter, who harangued bad behavior.
The boy was being punished (taught a lesson) for running away from home, the woman for giving excuses for not going to see the "Child King."
After many experiences, the boy finally learns that the True Gift
The Message of Christmas is that God came to this earth in the form of a baby ... offering life, forgiveness and hope. God does not offer this gift to only those who are good ... Rather it is offered to those who are bad.
As with any gift, one must accept it, open it and
use it, if one is to receive the full benefits of the gift.
God’s True Gift is what we celebrate this December 25.
We are not commemorating Christmas because
we are remembering some "myth or legend."
We commemorate a historical event that took place in "Time and Space." It is an event that gives us hope and allows us to experience God’s True Gift!
Advent is a time of focusing on the Hope of Christ’s birth and promised return. The central theme and declaration of the Good News/Gospel is:
God’s forgiving grace and peace experienced by those accepting
God’s True Gift.
In response to the Good News, Christians, wherever they go,
point to the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:2-7*), and live with
that hope and peace in their daily lives.
Hope is not a "wish." "I hope to receive ..."
Not hope "I will win the Powerball and $572 million."
Not hope (your favorite college team and your choice opponent)
will play in the 2023 Bowl Championship Game).
Not even hope "for world peace."
Hope is the certainty that God will do what God says.
Even as God fulfilled all the promises ... of which you read ...
when God came in the form of the baby named Jesus.
Titus 2:11-14:
God's readiness to give and forgive is now public.
Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to
turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take
on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting
right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day
when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.
He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark,
rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people
he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
A young boy wakes up early on Christmas morning and dashes downstairs to get a sneak peek at his gift. It was a sweatshirt ...
he had asked for skates. He became so angry that wrote a note
to his parents that he was running away. He took the gifts he had made for his father and mother and threw them in the trash.
At that moment he was transported back to a Christmas in the sixth century Germany. There he met a lady who had chosen not to go with the Magi to visit the "Child King." Her excuse: "I have to clean my house." She had been traveling through the centuries ... Christmas to Christmas, country to country seeking the meaning of the True Gift.
The story continued ... as the woman and the boy experienced the various Christmas legends. Each legend, in one way or another had a "Good Side," Father Christmas, St. Nicholas etc. who rewarded good behavior. Each legend also had a "Bad Side." Black Peter, who harangued bad behavior.
The boy was being punished (taught a lesson) for running away from home, the woman for giving excuses for not going to see the "Child King."
After many experiences, the boy finally learns that the True Gift
is not what is given or received ...
it is the spirit in which the gift is given or received.The Message of Christmas is that God came to this earth in the form of a baby ... offering life, forgiveness and hope. God does not offer this gift to only those who are good ... Rather it is offered to those who are bad.
As with any gift, one must accept it, open it and
use it, if one is to receive the full benefits of the gift.
God’s True Gift is what we celebrate this December 25.
We are not commemorating Christmas because
we are remembering some "myth or legend."
We commemorate a historical event that took place in "Time and Space." It is an event that gives us hope and allows us to experience God’s True Gift!
Advent is a time of focusing on the Hope of Christ’s birth and promised return. The central theme and declaration of the Good News/Gospel is:
God’s forgiving grace and peace experienced by those accepting
God’s True Gift.
In response to the Good News, Christians, wherever they go,
point to the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:2-7*), and live with
that hope and peace in their daily lives.
Hope is not a "wish." "I hope to receive ..."
Not hope "I will win the Powerball and $572 million."
Not hope (your favorite college team and your choice opponent)
will play in the 2023 Bowl Championship Game).
Not even hope "for world peace."
Hope is the certainty that God will do what God says.
Even as God fulfilled all the promises ... of which you read ...
when God came in the form of the baby named Jesus.
Titus 2:11-14:
God's readiness to give and forgive is now public.
Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to
turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take
on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting
right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day
when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.
He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark,
rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people
he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
It is when we accept God’s True Gift that we experience the
Transforming Power of God’s Coming in human form (Incarnation).
Two Lessons:
I. Jesus liberated us from the power and penalty of our rebellion.
Jesus purifies us so that we may live as God’s special people.
Jesus enables us to live as God’s peaceful people in the world.
In Jesus we are recreated as New People – a New Creation.
The Old is left behind.
II. In Jesus we:
A. Renounce those things Separating us from one another ...
i.e.: lying, stealing, cheating, murder, adultery etc.
Strangling us with trivia and things which do not last.ie:
amassing nothing but material things, we must leave behind.
B. Acquire the shining virtues which:
- Marked Jesus’ life.
- Brought light into darkness.
- Allow us to live with prudence and reverence.
The dynamic of this new life is the expectation of Jesus’ return.
Advent is a time for preparing our lives and homes for the coming
of Jesus. In one way, we should always be prepared for Jesus’
coming and promised return.
When Jesus comes, we will not be rewarded or
punished on whether we have been "naughty or nice."
We will be invited into God’s presence if we have
accepted God’s True Gift offered to us at:
The First Christmas and Good Friday."
God our Savior showed us his kindness and love,
He saved us, not because of the good things we did,
but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4-5)
When God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in,
he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing
to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it
new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.
Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously.
God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us
back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life!
You can count on this ... Take a firm stand on these matters so
that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the
essentials that are good for everyone. (Titus 3:5b-8b)
We are still Naughty/Bad. We do not always live as God desires.
There still is injustice which leads to strife ... unrest ... selfishness...lack of peace. So, while we wait for Jesus' promised return (the blessed hope) let us strife being God’s Hopeful and Peaceful People by demonstrating and living: The Reconciliation, Compassion and Justice we have received,
punished on whether we have been "naughty or nice."
We will be invited into God’s presence if we have
accepted God’s True Gift offered to us at:
The First Christmas and Good Friday."
God our Savior showed us his kindness and love,
He saved us, not because of the good things we did,
but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4-5)
When God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in,
he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing
to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it
new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.
Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously.
God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us
back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life!
You can count on this ... Take a firm stand on these matters so
that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the
essentials that are good for everyone. (Titus 3:5b-8b)
There still is injustice which leads to strife ... unrest ... selfishness...lack of peace. So, while we wait for Jesus' promised return (the blessed hope) let us strife being God’s Hopeful and Peaceful People by demonstrating and living: The Reconciliation, Compassion and Justice we have received,
God’s True Gift given to us in Immanuel: (God with us).
"Another story: "While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four-year-old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught, as a toddler, that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, ‘where's the line to see Jesus’? Becky Kelly inspired, wrote a song: Where’s The Line To See Jesus ...?"
"Another story: "While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four-year-old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught, as a toddler, that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, ‘where's the line to see Jesus’? Becky Kelly inspired, wrote a song: Where’s The Line To See Jesus ...?"
"Santa brought me presents, Jesus gave his life for me."
wheresthelinetoseejesus? (Video)
wheresthelinetoseejesus? (Video)
The True Gift: ... "Jesus gave his life for you."
Will you receive or reject that True Gift?
Will you receive or reject that True Gift?
(I encourage you to watch "The Chosen" Christmas Show: "Holy Night" on CW TV, this Saturday, December 23 at 7:00 pm.
If not, record it and watch it later. That way you can speed through the adds. The story of Jesus' birth dramatically told is complemented with wonderful live Christmas music.)
(I am posting this early because this Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, is December 24 and also Christmas Eve.)
* Isaiah 9:2-7 (All Scriptures are from The Message)
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.
* Isaiah 9:2-7 (All Scriptures are from The Message)
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.
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