I was reading and discovered five facts about Christmas according to Jerry Brecheisen.
FIVE FACTS OF CHRISTMAS
1. The Exchanging of gifts is a custom that follows Christmas Day.
2. Peace on Earth means the toy is already broken.
3. The giver of a drum set is seldom appreciated.
4. People in your “Under Five Dollars” list probably didn’t get you a gift.
5. The fine print in the warranty means nothing’s covered unless it snows in Hawaii.
It’s a cute effort to be humorous yet his “effort” sent my mind racing to a place of Advent and Christmas Facts that we embrace.
1. God offered the gift of a Savior in a way that surprised the world. (Matthew 1:26-31)
2. The favor of the Lord takes away the disgrace we must endure from people. (Matthew 1:25)
3. The Lord provides direction. (Matthew 2:5)
4. The Lord provides a place for us. (Matthew 2:7)
5. The Lord invites servants to come and see. (Matthew 2: 8-12)
6. The Lord sends witnesses forth filled with glory and with song. (Matthew 2:13-15)
7. The Lord grants us hope and fills us with wonder. (Matthew 2:7)
I have listed some of the key verses from Matthew because we all “know” the story, but we have added or sub-tracted things from the biblical witness. The innkeeper was not a grouchy ole soul who gleefully sent them to the sta-ble. There was no little drummer boy at the manger. Being sent to the stable provided privacy for the birth of a child. The inn would be a place of little to no privacy. Joseph did not walk each step to Bethlehem. The angels did not have wings. Angels are messengers and the light of God’s glory shines about them. Shepherds were not nice guys. They were rough and tough and considered to be chief among sinners.
Take some time this year to familiarize your family with the Biblical “truth” of the Advent of the Christ. Remember that St. Nicklaus was a Bishop of the Church who was made a saint in his church’s tradition because his life mir-rored Christ. He made toys for children and delivered them in the night to all homes with children. Celebrate around the tree, exchange the gifts, share the warmth of family and friends. Shop ‘til you drop! But know the truth of Advent and Christmas. God’s Gift—our Hope is found in a little baby who grows to be a Savior. Which brings me to one more “fact” of Christmas. Christmas is not just for the children. It’s for everyone!
The Staff of First Church wishes for you and yours a glorious Advent and a Mer-ry Christmas.
Ken