Missing the Magic of Christmas

We just watched one of the greatest Christmas classics. A Charlie Brown Christmas is my favorite Christmas cartoon of all time.

In it Charles Schulzts depicts a very common emotion that many feel at Christmas. We strive to recapture the magic of Christmas, that feeling we had as a child, but in our hearts we know there is something missing. It’s just not the same anymore, with the commercialism and financial stress of providing “good enough” gifts for everyone on our lists. Christmas can leave one feeling empty instead of full.

In the movie Charlies is struggling with this very idea. But the struggle is not a bad one. It is his struggle that causes him to ask the question “What is this all about”.

Then in walks our unsuspecting hero, Linus. Linus points him to a passage of scripture that Charlie has heard before, yet this time it hits differently. Linus quotes from Luke 2:8-16

Luke 2:8–16 CSB

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

Now many like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem turned into a song “ I heard the bells on Christmas day”. Have question this pronouncement of peace. When we look at this world today we don’t peace in any direction. Whether its the violence and hatred in our own nation or wars around the world, how can we believe the angels message that peace has come. Has’n’t this message or promised failed?

In the original language the word for “peace” has the idea of a treaty being formed. In other words a plan has been made to end the war.

The scriptures tell us in

Romans 8:7 CSB

The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so.

This scripture points out that mankind is hostile toward God. In other words their is a war against him.

In fact another verse says it this way.

Romans 5:10 CSB

For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.

You see this proclamation peace to men was God saying I am proposing terms of peace.

Because you were unable to keep my law. I will myself offer up the one who could keep my law as a payment for your transgressions against my law. He offered His son Jesus Christ , God who took on flesh, born as baby to humble parents. Jesus lived a perfect sinless life. Doing what we could not. So that he became the perfect sacrifice for mankind.

You see sin was man’s problem. So by a man it had to be for. Jesus took on flesh so that he could pay the penalty of sin, death for you and me.

But maybe you are here and you are saying to yourself but Pastor Brett. I’m a good person. Why do I need someone to pay for my sins?

While I don’t doubt that many of you are good people according to societal standards. It is not society that will be your judge But a Holy Perfect God.

Lets look at God’s standard together a few of the ten commandments.

Thou shall not bear false witness or lie. Have you ever told a lie? IF we are honest many of us have told many lies.

What do you call a person who tells lies.... A Liar.

Though shall not steal. Have you ever stolen anything irespective of its value. It could have been a piece of candy from your siblings.... What do we call a person who steals.... A theif.

The Bible says that we are not to take the name of our God in vain. Have you ever used God’s name as a curse word. That is called blasphemy.

Jesus said if you look with lust at someone you are an adulterer at heart.

So if God was to judge you by His standard would you be guilty or innocent?

The answer is we would all be guilty. If God is a just judge he must punish sin. Just like if you got a speeding ticket and you stand before a judge. A good judge will hold you to the law and pronounce you guilty and assign a fine.

God is the perfect judge and he has assigned us a fine.

Romans 6:23 CSB

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So literally our fine for breaking His laws is death. The fact that all life dies is proof that this is true. Did you know science has yet to discover why are cells stop regenerating. We know they do its called age but scripture literally tells us. It is the fine for our sins.

But the next part of the verse is good news. The Gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The gift of God was Jesus very life and death. Now if you were to stand before a judge and he assigned you a fine and someone steps in and pays it for you. The judge can legally dismiss your case.

This is what Jesus has done for all those who will accepts his payment and his terms are simple.

Repent and believe. That is let go of our sinful life and believe the gospel message that Jesus was born in the flesh, paid your fine through his death, Rose again defeating both sin and death so that he could guarantee you eternal life in heaven one day.

The peace treaty has been announced. will you believe it today?