That Was a Humbug

Introduction

One of the most famous lines from Scrooge: Bah! Humbug!

It’s actually only said by him once, but everyone thinks of it

He says it after his nephew wishes him “Merry Christmas”

Humbug: deceptive or false talk or behavior

Scrooge claims Christmas is fake!

What’s Christmas time to you but a time for purchasing things for which you have no need; and no money! A time for finding yourself a year older and not a penny richer! If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with merry Christmas on his lips would be boiled in his own pudding; and buried with a stake of holly through his heart!

Is that all Christmas is?

A time for bad purchases, stress, and taking things from people?

At the end of Scrooges story, he visits his nephew again (1984 version)

“I made some things clear Fred, that Christmas was a “humbug,” a false and commercial festival, devoutly to be ignored?”

His nephew says, “Yes, basically that was it.”

Scrooge says, “I’ve come for three reasons: the first is to apologize for the things I said about Christmas. That was a humbug Fred. I didn’t know it then, but I know it now.”

As Scrooge went into Christmas, he had a terrible attitude

By the end of it, he looked back and saw he was wrong

It took him a lot to get there! But he got there...

YouVersion: That Was a Humbug

We’re in Luke 2:21-28

The scariest Christmas of my entire life

I was absolutely sure I was going to wake up to coal in my stocking

I don’t remember what I got, but I know it was an awesome Christmas

It was extra awesome because deep down I knew I didn’t deserve it

The point is, that was the longest night of my life!

I have had many long nights since then

Waiting for my check ride

Waiting for the high school hockey championship (I slept in my goalie mask)

My first sermon

Waiting for Tasha’s plane to land

Tom Petty: “The waiting is the hardest part.”

Was it hard for you to wait for yesterday?

What did you wait for? Family to fly in? A special gift?

Christmas was yesterday, come and gone

In Luke 2:20, the shepherds return to their flocks

Christmas was over, and so they make an important move

Luke 2:20 (ESV)

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

They glorified God

If the shepherds respond to Jesus’ birth by glorifying God...

Why do you think we should do after Christmas?

It’s easy to move on, isn’t it?

For a couple days we’ll have 2 inch pieces of wrapping paper scotch taped to our shoes

The trash cans will be full

We’ll eat leftovers

There’ll be pine needles on the floor

But then it’s back to normal

Let’s look at what Jesus did after Christmas:

Luke 2:21 (ESV)

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

This was normal behavior for a Jew!

That’s because this is what Jesus was - He was definitely Jewish!

Sadly we often picture Jesus like some modern European dude

He was certainly a first-century Jew

Part of that, was sticking to Abraham’s covenantal sign - circumcision!

And they named Him “Jesus”

Luke 1:31 (ESV)

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

I love Mary and Joseph’s obedience

Post Christmas Tip 1: Stay obedient to God

We’ll see more of that as we go

Now let’s jump ahead about 6 weeks to Luke 2:22

Luke 2:22–24 (ESV)

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

This shows how obedient Joseph and Mary were to God’s Law

Post Christmas Tip 2: Keep worshipping God

Let this be a parenting lesson

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it.

If God used Godly parents for His already perfect Son, how much more do our children depend on us?

I want to be clear: Jesus did not need these things to make Him pure!

Rather, we see Jesus identifying Himself with sinners right from the start!

Now here He is in the Temple, and watch what happens

Luke 2:25 (ESV)

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Notice what it says about Simeon: he is waiting

Things were not going well for Israel

They lost their independence

King Herod was in charge

God had been silent for more than 400 years

And they were waiting for Christ... and waiting, and waiting, and waiting...

Now Simeon is waiting, (Eastern Orthodox says for 200 years!)

Post Christmas Tip 3: Keep looking for good things

But there’s great news! He has the Holy Spirit!

Luke 2:26–27 (ESV)

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

The Holy Spirit brought him in at just the right time!

I don’t know if he was conscious of this or not, but the second he saw Jesus he knew

Can you imagine that moment?

What if you walked into church on Sunday and Jesus was in the front row?

It rapture time!

That moment must have been incredible for Simeon

This is the only time we hear of him, so this moment is his legacy!

Look what he does:

Luke 2:27–32 ESV

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Talk about Holy Spirit!

Post Christmas Tip 4: Find complete joy in all things

This guy just gave a complete gospel prophecy over this kid

It’s not likely he knew Mary and Joseph, they were now in Jerusalem

So basically some old weirdo yanks the kid from their arms and starts praising Him

This had to be weird, that’s why the next passage says:

Luke 2:33 (ESV)

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

We often sing that song, “Mary Did You Know?”

Mary knew she was in for something big, but how big?

I’m sure there’s a huge difference between an angel telling you that you are to have a child called “Son of the Most High” and having the Son of the Most High.

That’s the story of parenting anyway, isn’t it?

You have an idea, but it’s often way different than you imagine?

In fact:

Tim Kimmel: “Some of your children's rebellion against your spiritual lifestyle might be a necessary step in their finding an authentic relationship with God. But beware: If they find it, it might look quite different from what you've always thought it should be.”

I’ll bet that went through Mary’s mind as her Son died on His cross...

So far, Simeon has said some great things

It seems that this is a joyous event, but it really gets weirder

Luke 2:34–35 (ESV)

34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Your child will be loved: good! And hated: not so good.

“Sign that will be spoken against” literal translation: “a target that people shoot at.”

AND it’s going to be horrible for you too Mary! Have a good day!

In reality, the first part of his prophecy was talking about His salvation

But the second part talks about the sacrifice

THEN we hear about Anna

Luke 2:36–37 (ESV)

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

Anna might be an illustration of some of us

In the Jewish culture, a woman’s identity was in her husband

The language is ambiguous

She could be 84 OR

She probably got married around 16

She had a husband for 7 years

Then she was a widow for 84 years

She actually could have been 107

Luke 2:37b ESV

37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

This woman had nothing, except her relationship with God

Post Christmas Tip 5: Persevere through distractions

Then Jesus comes in; imagine her excitement!

We know she is a prophetess, and now look at what she says about Jesus

Luke 2:38 (ESV)

38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Do you see what she who she tells about Jesus?

All who were looking forward to the redemption of Israel!

To summarize: EVERYONE AROUND HER!

It’s funny because that same subject of redemption applies today

Who needs to know Jesus?

All who are looking for redemption.

To summarize: EVERYONE AROUND US!

Post Christmas Tip 6: Share the good news with everyone

So what are you going to do now that Christmas is over?

In 1989, something terrifying happened

United flight 811 was in the sky after leaving Honolulu

The 747-100 was 17 minutes into it’s trip to Australia when something happened

At about 22,000 feet, the forward cargo door opened

The pilots heard a loud thump

Less than 2 seconds later there was rapid depressurization

The door blew open past it’s stops and hit the fuselage

It knocked a hole in the side, 10 seats were sucked out - killing 8 people

A flight attendant who was going up the stairs manage to grab a seat leg in her fall

She was pulled in by crew and passengers

Pilots thought a bomb went off (Lockerbie was a year earlier)

The pilots declared an emergency and turned back to Honolulu

The #3 engine sucked in debris (including at least one passenger) so they shut it down

#4 showed problems too, so the engineer went down to look

He saw the gaping hole for the first time, including #4 on fire

He ran back up and told the Captain to slow down and fly just above stall speed

14 minutes later, with partial flaps, flight 811 landed safely at Honolulu

In the end, the NTSB investigated and said the ground crew was at fault

You could force the handle down so the indicator said “LOCKED”

In reality, the cams and pins were bent, not actually locking the door

However, Kevin and Susan Campbell got involved

They lost their son Lee on the flight

He was an engineer, and didn’t buy the cause on the report

They went to an NTSB presentation, and helped themselves to some boxes of investigation documents

He built a mockup of the locking mechanism and proved it could not be bent the way they said

He also found documentation that addressed wiring concerns

He gave his theory:

The wiring frayed and short-circuited, starting the motors that opened the door

As the lock rotated, it bent the aluminum locking sectors, and opened the door itself mid-flight

The NTSB acknowledged the likelihood privately, but told Kevin and Susan not to expect a change in the report

What’s the point?

As far as flight safety goes, this should be considered a big moment!

A door that can literally open itself in flight is dangerous!

If that’s the cause, someone should do something!

When Jesus came into the world, that is also a big moment!

Someone should do something!

When Jesus comes into your life, when we celebrate His first coming and eventual second coming...

It should change us, it should stir us to action

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Doing nothing is not acceptable!

In the case of flight 811, the NTSB did nothing - blamed human error for an electrical problem

One year later, United maintenance was working on a 747 on the ground at JFK

As they were checking a circuit breaker trip, something happened...

The forward cargo opened by itself

It didn’t damage the locks like NTSB had said...

It pushed past the aluminum locking sectors like Kevin Campbell said

The NTSB gave recommendations to replace the locking systems and install inward opening doors

At lead the NTSH got it right the second time

Why did they get it wrong?

They made up their minds

Didn’t want to admit they were wrong

Didn’t want to look stupid

They didn’t want to trust the word of some regular guy

I wonder why we also don’t let Christmas change our minds...

Maybe it’s the same reasons...

But if you’ll let the coming Christ change you, everything can be different!

Is your prayer life falling short? Because He is already here and ready to listen!

Do you need to read the Word more? I can give you a Bible if you need one!

Do you need to be fasting? Do it! I’ll fast with you!

Maybe you’re like Simeon – looking for your purpose. Christ is your purpose!

Or like Anna – you’ve lost your identity because it was in the wrong place. Christ is your identity!

Maybe you need to reconnect with family. Or friends? Is there a better time than now?

Or maybe you’re waiting to believe in God.

Why are you still waiting?

Jesus is HERE! Immanuel; God with us!

For Simeon and Anna their time came to stop waiting.

We have Jesus now, so we can stop waiting too.

Be willing to be a Scrooge!

Let me close out our series (and the season) with the ending of “A Christmas Carol”

He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

Ever afterwards, it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!