The Ghost of Christmas Past

Introduction

Around this time of year, families gather round to watch traditional Christmas movies. One of those most often watched is the story of The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. In the story a crochet old man named Ebenezzar Scrooge hates Christmas because of his love for money. Business is stopped on Christmas so money is lost. People spending too much money on gifts and feasts so money is lost. Money is given to the worthless poor, so money is lost. All this frivolity and happiness grates on his nerves. So to him, it is all Bah Humbug.

The night before Christmas Day, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of an old friend, Jacob Marley who is in torment and tied up in chains. Marley seeks to warn Scrooge about his fate if he doesn’t change. But Ebeneezar will not listen. Marley then promises that he will be visited by three ghosts: the ghost of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present and the ghost of Christmas yet to come. That night he is visited by the ghost of Christmas past who takes him and shows him his past. The ghost shows his poor past where he was abandoned by his father to an orphanage, then his sister comes to get him and he is apprenticed to Mr. Fezziwig. But the hardest thing to see in his past was his Belle. Belle was his fiance. They were going to get married but Scrooge became so obsessed with money and never felt like he had enough to get married. Finally, she broke off the engagement and Scrooge hardly said a word.

The moral of this section of the story is that Scrooge allowed selfishness and greed, money, to come between him and his true love. Scrooge needed to see what he had lost to wake up from the bareness of his life. Tonight I would like to take a look at the ghost of Christmas past for another Scrooge by looking back to that first Christmas. The Scrooge we will focus on tonight is

I. Our expectations

At the beginning of the Christmas story, we see a scene where an angel comes to the shepherds and proclaims the birth of Jesus Christ and an angelic choir appears singing praises to God.

Luke 2: 8-14 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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.”

After such an introduction, we would expect that Jesus would be coming in royalty, in the best clothes and worshipped by all. We begin by seeing a seen as we peak in on the events of that day that promises a lot of Joy and happiness.

II. The reality

But as we continue to read the story, we do not see fanfare from the people. We do not see palaces and royal robes.

Bethlehem instead of Jerusalem Luke 2: 4 “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)”

Swaddling clothes instead of gowns Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

A manger instead of a palace Luke 2:7 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

III. Herod’s rejection

Our main character comes to us in another book, the gospel of Matthew. Matthew 2:1-16 “Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship hi…”

Herod like Scrooge lusted for wealth and power. Here was the messiah who would free his people Israel and deliver them, but his response was not worship.

He was troubled Matt 2:3 “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

He was deceitful Matt 2:8 “And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”

He was angry Matt 2:16 “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.”

He was murderous Matt 2:16 “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.”

Conclusion:

Christmas time comes around every year. It is so easy to get sucked into the business of the season. Maybe in past Christmases you have been like Herod and Scrooge: consumed by greed. What am I going to get this year? Maybe it is a hassle you wish you could just get through because it stresses you out so much. Maybe in all the business you have forgotten what Christmas is all about? Jesus Christ. If the ghost of Christmas past were to take you back through the past few years, what kinda Christmases would you see?

Herod and Scrooge were a lot alike in some ways. They both thirsted for more money and power. They both got carried away with it and lost important relationships because of it, but Herod and Scrooge differed in one significant way. Scrooge after facing his own death woke up and changed. Scrooge became a new man. Herod on the other hand when given a chance to receive the greatest king rejected him and tried to kill him.

This Christmas season shouldn’t you make Christmas about Jesus Christ? If are not saved, Christmas is an excellent time to accept Christ as your savior. Take a look at the past few years and how you have put him off, become obsessed with other things. But receive Him today.