Good Morning All!!
Matthew 2: 16; “Then Herod, when he saw that he had
been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the
male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or
under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.”
It is the time of year for the Christmas specials. My absolute favorite is “A Charlie Brown
Christmas.” My second favorite is “How
the Grinch Stole Christmas” and this is the real one, the cartoon special not
the movie. One of the things that I
really love about the television cartoon version is how they used a couple of
legendary actors in the show. We listen
to Boris Karloff narrate the story and
be the voice of the Grinch and then we hear the rich booming voice of Thurl
Ravenscroft, “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch, you really are a heel!” Every male who hears that tries to sing in
that bass voice.
The Grinch tried to steal Christmas until he learned what it really
meant; then he had a change of heart.
Yet there was someone who truly tried to steal Christmas. First he was sly and tried to fluster
Joseph. Then he tried violence using
Herod to kill dozens, if not hundreds, of infant and toddler boys. Then he tried cunning but lost in the desert
and throughout Jesus’ ministry. He tried
violence again, killing Jesus but he was defeated by the resurrection. We know that the devil is the true Grinch,
the one who tries to steal Christmas.
The devil tries to steal the comfort that you and I have because of
Christmas. The devil tries to sneak into
your life and confound and confuse you. He
does his best to deceive you and steal Christmas from you. It is in Christmas, the birth of Jesus, that
we have such a renewed life. When God
became man and walked this earth, everything changes. Everything that was has been altered by the
coming of Jesus and the kingdom of God being at hand. The healing comfort of the Gospel is now
here. It is now something we experience;
it is something we can hold onto. It is
no longer the promise of the Messiah; it is the reality of the Messiah.
Yet the devil keeps trying. He
keeps trying to steal your Christmas; he keeps trying to steal your comfort,
your hope, your peace. He whispers
doubts in your ears and encourages you to look at the world and see it totally out
of control. He wants you to think it is
out of God’s control. Yet we know that
God is in control and that he has plans to prosper us with his incredible love,
grace, mercy and comfort. Don’t let the Grinch
steal your true Christmas.
Gracious
Father, through the birth of Jesus you ushered in the new covenant and give to
all your people hope. We cling to your
grace and mercy. Guide us as we go,
guard us from the lies of the devil.
Keep us safe in your loving arms.
Be with those who are in pain or are in doubt. Lift the veil of their sorrow and give them
comfort. Send your holy rest and
peace. In the precious name of Jesus we
pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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