A Promise Fulfilled

There are many favored and treasured Christmas stories we have listened to in our years of growing up and growing older. Some of these stories we have read in books such as Dickens’ A Christmas Carol; some of these we have seen on the big screen such as Jimmy Stewart’s It’s a Wonderful Life; many of these we have watched on television. One of my favorite Christmas stories that I try to watch every Christmas comes from the well known cartoonist – Charles Schulz. It’s called A Charlie Brown Christmas.

In this show Charlie Brown is trying to direct the children’s Christmas program; he’s trying to keep the true meaning of Christmas at the center of the play, yet nothing is going quite right. The children won’t take direction, Snoopy is being a character, and no one seems to understand what Christmas is truly about! Charlie is left standing on the stage where they have been rehearsing and in his frustration he cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

Linus, who is standing there with thumb in his mouth and blanket tucked up under his arm replies, “Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about”

Linus walks to the center of the stage, calls out “Lights please” and as the lights dim he begins to recite from the Gospel of Luke:

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Lk: 2:8-14)

That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown. Unto us is born this day a Savior – Christ the Lord. A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger.

As we look around we see the sights and sounds, the symbols and the fragrances, the traditions and the lights, the decorations, the parades, the parties, the plays, the pageants, the music, the worship services – all celebrating the birth of the little baby in a little town called Bethlehem some two thousand years ago.

I suppose it is the mystery and majesty and enormity of the gift of this child to us that leaves me in amazement. Have you ever wondered, as I have, that when God chose the means of revealing himself to us, of entering into our world, that he chose to do so not as a philosopher, nor an emperor or established monarchy but as baby?

This is different than anything God had done before. Noah was 600 years old when God spoke to him and he began to build the ark in anticipation of the coming flood. Abraham was about 100 years old when God spoke to him commanding him to leave his home and travel to some unknown place where God would make of him a great nation. Moses was around 80 years old when God spoke to him from the burning bush commanding him to lead his people out of Egypt.

Yet, Jesus enters this world and from the very start – as an infant – begins to make a difference in the lives of those around him. There are shepherds who come down from the fields to see this baby whom the angel has told them about. There are wise men that travel from the east to give this child of their gifts. And of course Mary and Joseph gazed upon their newborn child and wondered at what was taking place. The little bit we know of Jesus as an infant and child reflect that he was making a difference right from the very beginning of his birth.

A baby means to us a new hope. Who among us has not held a baby in our arms and saw not only the smiling face and waving hands of cute little child, but looked into the future and saw the promise of what this child could become. We wonder what the future holds and not only for this child, but for ourselves as well, with this child.

I imagine those who looked upon the infant child Jesus saw something of the promises of things to come.

One of the Old Testament prophets Ezekiel, delivers God’s word of a promise fulfilled, many years before Jesus is born. He tells the people, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” (36:26)

It is this promise and this fulfillment of this promise that becomes the very heart of our Christian faith and our Christmas celebration. A new heart and a new spirit are realization of the promise God made to us through Jesus Christ.

Luke and even Linus remind us that we have received the good news of a great joy that is for all the people. For unto us is born in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. Now is the time for all of us to bring this good news to the poor, this message of hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless.

As we go about our Christmas celebration, out into our own part of the world, let God shape our new hearts and spirit that we might become for those in need the sign of Jesus Christ alive and well and active not only this season, but throughout the year.

Merry Christmas to you my friends – May Christ be at the heart of all you do.