Perhaps some may have spent "too big." A few years ago I heard a Salvation Army representative on ABC radio express concern at the increasing number of middle-income families seeking help that year. This was a major concern, since the number of low-income families hadn’t declined.
It seems that some people aren’t just late with their Christmas shopping but don’t give their presents at Christmas. Apparently some deliberately defer their shopping until the Christmas sales are on!
And so those last-minute urgent signs have been out with their message, "Don't miss out! Only two shopping days to Christmas!"
Well did you miss out? Are you satisfied with what you gave? Are you satisfied with what you received?
I suspect that for some the presents didn't quite make it. And if the recipient wasn't a child, that wasn't disastrous. Perhaps the one item you were looking for was out of stock, had to be placed on order, but didn't arrive in time. You are sorry but not devastated - it will come and be given in good time. Perhaps you fit into the category the cricket commentator mentioned and have given a "present-to-follow" note about something you hope to buy at a much reduced price after Christmas.
But there is something far more serious than failing to give and receive that teddy bear, toy car, computer game or mink coat - which is why I have titled today's message, "Don't miss out! It's Christmas!"
Sadly, so much of the record of the human race is a story of how we have "missed out". We could have lived in the real Garden of Eden - a Paradise on earth - but the opportunity slipped from the human race for ever. We were stupid enough to think that it didn't matter if we ignored God's rules, that our relationship with God is an optional sideline - and we still think that way! Yet we'd also like Paradise - but on our own terms!
A few years ago there was an ad on the back of some Brisbane City Council buses. It asked, "Who said there is only one way to get to heaven?" and went on to promote some new real estate development. Do you think the developers - and residents - have succeeded in creating heaven on earth?
Paul wrote to the Romans that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (3.23). He later said that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (6.23). It means that as individuals and as a whole race we have missed out - whether by our wilful rebellion or in spite of our best intentions. We have missed out on the glory of God. We have missed out on God’s good gift of life. We cannot know all that is best. We’ve missed out!
In all kinds of ways as a human race we have tried to make our situation not so bad after all. We have tried to appease or to please God - or to relieve our inner pain. It is too unbearable to face and consider the reality that we have missed out.
Of course, we cannot leave the story there, because God hasn't left us there! Besides the grim commonplace news, there is the good news we celebrate today - it's Christmas! And that's good news, not just for Christmas, but for every day in our year. You need a good 2003? Then don't miss out on Christmas!
John doesn’t tell us the story of Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus - the angels, shepherds, star and wise men... We read Matthew and Luke for those accounts. John wants us to see what happened from the viewpoint of eternity. He writes, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us..." (Jn 1.1,14a).
God had been making himself known to us through the world about us and what we call the laws of nature, and through the history and prophets of Israel... But now, he has revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God - God's personal Word. As someone has put it, "Jesus is God spelling himself out in language that people can understand."
One time while Dr Walter L. Wilson was preaching, he took a vase, held it up, and said, "Let's imagine that this is a bottle of medicine, proven unmistakably to be a sure cure for coughing. I therefore could give you my word that it is able to rid you of your cough." He then asked his audience, "What do you think? Could that medicine do you any good?" He paused, waiting for an answer. Several moments passed. The silence at last was broken by the voice of a little boy who cried out, "Not unless you take it!" He was right. As effective as the cough medicine might be, its benefits would never be enjoyed unless you took it.
The same is true of salvation - being forgiven and going to heaven. Although Jesus has provided it for us through his death on the cross, what he accomplished there will do us no good unless we receive him.
"Don’t be afraid," the angel said to the shepherds. "I bring you good news of great joy... Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!" (Lk. 2.10-11) Yes, Jesus came for you! Don’t miss out! It’s Christmas!
Here is a poem I wrote some time ago:
You lived,
and healed,
and taught,
and died,
not just for Christmas,
but for always.
You live again,
not just for Christmas,
but for always.
You seek
my trust,
my allegiance,
my life,
not just for Christmas,
but for always.
Even as we come at Christmas to adore him, he stands at the door of our lives knocking. Can you hear him? He still says to us, "If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Rev.1.20).
We love Christmas! It's a break from the bleakness of so much of life, a relief from inner stress and pain. It's an entrancing story that gives encouragement and hope in the midst of all the distressing news that the media presses on us daily.
But Christmas is not just about a Baby, but about the Son of God. Not just about the angels' message, but about the Word of God. Not just about a manger, but about a cross. Not just about a star, but about an empty tomb. Not just about shepherds and wise men, but about you and me and how we receive and respond to what God has done for us. For he came, not just for Christmas, but for always.
Don't miss out! It's Christmas! Welcome Jesus as your Saviour and Lord!
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