1.3.3 12.11.2022 A Charlie Brown Christmas: Lucy in Charge

2023 1 Series Advent A Charlie Brown Christmas  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 16 views
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →
Start:
Entice: One of the things that makes A Charlie Brown Christmas resonate is the realism. The Peanuts gang are kids with all their exaggerations, misapplications, and misunderstandings.
Lucy, of course, is the “know-it-all”.
She has an answer to everything, not always the right answer but she is forceful and willing to bully others.
Each of us knew a Lucy growing up. Different name, same attitude.
Engage:
She tries, throughout the cartoon to be in charge of Christmas.
She tells her peers what is right or wrong.
She puts Chuck in charge of the play,
but pulls the strings.
She will send him out to get an Aluminum Christmas tree.
Amid the chaos she confides to Charlie Brown that Christmas is

“run by a big eastern syndicate, you know?”

We all know someone who is
“In charge of Christmas.”
Of course, the real timing of the incarnation was up to God and His plans for the redemption of His fallen creation.
Expand: Not every text that addresses the circumstances of Christmas is from the “Christmas” stories. One of my favorite texts to use this time of year was written by Paul.
Galatians 4:4–5 ESV
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
His point was very simple.

God was in charge.

Through all the twists and turns of Salvation History, everything that we know as the Old Testament, He was always aiming for Jesus. He was always going to get to the incarnation.
Excite:

That is the plan.

That is what we celebrate.

That is who we celebrate.

Not only Jesus’ coming but God’s planning, God’s preparation, God’s purpose—
God giving.
Explore:

The incarnation happened according to God’s plan for the ages.

Expand: This is a simple text with simple reminders.
Body of Sermon: Christmas is about...

1 When

1.1 Humanity was Ready

1.2 History was Mature

Christmas is about...

2 Who

2.1 God Sent

2.2 His Son

Next, Christmas is about...

3.How

Born

by a woman.

Under the Law:

A specific place

Under specific historical circumstances.

4 Why

4.1 Redemption.

Galatians 4:5 (ESV)
5 to redeem those who were under the law,

4.2 Adoption

Galatians 4:5 (ESV)
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Shut Down
No mysterious Eastern syndicate. No magic. No flying reindeer or remarkable dwarves. Just a good plan, disclosed through the ages and finalized in Jesus.
Galatians 4:4–5 ESV
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Sorry Lucy. You are not in charge this Christmas!
Related Sermons
See more
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Advent - Solon  •  7 views  •  20:12