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Jesus Is Better (than Santa, Frosty or any Other Weird Christmas Thing)

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Last year, I was watching Frosty The Snowman, the beloved holiday classic, and had an odd thought towards the end.  Here’s the scene: the magician has just done an evil deed, melting Frosty in the greenhouse.  Now, Santa has come to the rescue.  And, an argument happens about who will get the hat…

The magician grabs the hat and challenges Santa: And just what are YOU going to do about it?  Here’s the rest of the conversation:

Santa: If you so much as lay a finger on the brim, I’ll never bring you another Christmas present as long as you live.
Magician: Never?
Santa: Never!
Magician: No more trick cards or magic balls or…
Santa: No more anything.
Magician: Oh, that’s not fair. I mean, we evil magicians have to make a living too.
Santa: Now you go home and write “I am very sorry for what I did to Frosty” a hundred zillion times. And then maybe, just maybe, mind you…you’ll find something in your stocking tomorrow morning.
Magician: A new hat maybe? Oh, yes sir. Goodbye everyone. I’ve got to get busy writing  busy busy busy.

Now, why do I rehearse these details?  Well, they simply show that Jesus is better.

1) He’s better than Santa.  You see, when Jesus came as the Savior of the world, He didn’t come calling people to work up a fake sorry and contrition so they can receive good things from Him.  They don’t have to write out anything a hundred zillion times.  They don’t even have to say they are very sorry for wronging another person with the hopes that maybe, just maybe, they’ll earn Jesus’ good favor.  Jesus simply gives it in spite of what we deserve or have done.  We’re called to give up all hope of rescue in ourselves and to lean on Him only.  Jesus forgives freely.  We don’t put down a down payment on these things.

2) He’s better than Frosty.  After all, Frosty is frozen at this point.  He’s not able to do anything to effect change.  Jesus is better than that because He went into the greenhouse (to use Frostyspeak) for us.  He bore all the punishment and evil that we could possibly receive from sinful people so that we might be saved not just in part but on the whole.  He’s a perfectly sympathetic High Priest.

3) And, of course, the salvation Jesus brings is better than what we see here.  There’s so much contingent not on grace and mercy, but on penance and contrition.  After all, is this even believable.  Who could possibly be sorry enough to earn a gift from Santa.  Jesus, on the other hand, says to any who are burdened with such things to give up.  Come to Him, all who are weary and heavy laden and He will give you rest.  His salvation is sweeter, deeper, and richer.

This holiday season, then, you have good news.  A Savior has been born for you.  You can freely rest in Him and know a love like you’ve never known.  Jesus is better than these expressions.  Look to Him.

Weekend Preview – Love Perfected

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This coming Sunday (12/27/15), we’ll be back in 1 John again, studying 1 John 4:17-21.  The big idea is God perfecting love in us and what it means.  I love how Paul Tripp summarizes it: “the longer you walk with God…the more loving you become.”  What a great way to end the year, thinking about God working love in His people.  I hope to see you this Sunday.

Weekend Recap – Christmas in 1 John

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My 12/20/15AM sermon, Christmas in 1 John, looked at various texts in 1 John.  Many times we can get stuck at Christmas studying the Bible just looking at the familiar stories of the Gospels (Matthew 1 and Luke 1-2).   In recent years, I’ve tried to tease out this theme in the various books of the Bible we’re studying and this was the case yesterday.  Christmas in 1 John could be summarized as the Father sent the Son, the Son came in the flesh, and through Him we get life.  I hope it helps you.

Gospel Friday – God Loved and Acted…

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“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)

Rest today in this truth that God loved you and acted, by giving His Son so that you could have eternal life.  Believe in Him and receive the gift of eternal life this holiday season.

Fight Greed this Christmas

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Pretty good post over on GirlTalk about 10 Ideas to Help Children Fight Greed at Christmastime.  What’s the big deal?  Well, greed is something that is easily stoked, especially at a time when we ask (and are asked) “What do you want (for Christmas)?”  So, these are helpful tips:

1) Be intentional.
2) Talk a lot.
3) Make Christmas memories.
4) Make Christmas giving lists.
5) Read Christmas giving stories.
6) Give to people in need.
7) Give the gift of experience.
8) Minimize temptation.
9) Develop a gift opening strategy.
10) Cultivate Christ-like character.

I commend the entire article and hope it helps you serve your children and their hearts this holiday season.

The Gospel and Transforming of Marriage

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I was reminded recently of a post over at Desiring God on Nine Ways The Gospel Transforms Marriage.  I thought remembering these would prove helpful as we think of the Father sending His Son to be the Savior of the world.  So, these 9 ways (drawn from Gary and Betsy Ricucci’s Love That Lasts) could be thought of 9 ways the true meaning of Christmas transforms marriage.  After all, Jesus is called Jesus because He would save His people from their sin (Matthew 1:21).  Here are 9 ways the Gospel directly affects marriage:

1) Because of the gospel, Christians have become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, in our marriage, our past does not define us, confine us, or determine our future.
2) Because of the gospel, we are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Therefore we can live free of all guilt and condemnation for every sin, and we can trust that God, in his mercy, will be gracious to us. 
3) Because of the gospel we can forgive, just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Nothing done against us compares to our sin against God. Therefore all offenses, hostility, and bitterness between Christians can be completely forgiven and removed. 
4) Because of the gospel, we are accepted by God (Romans 15:7). Therefore we are not dependent on a spouse for who we are or what we need. 
5) Because of the gospel, sin’s ruling power over us is broken (Romans 6:6, 14). Therefore we can truly obey all that God calls us to do in our marriage, regardless of any circumstance or situation. 
6) Because of the gospel, we have access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). Therefore we can at any time take any need in our marriage to the One who can do all things. 
7) Because of the gospel, we have hope (Romans 5:1-4). Therefore we can endure any marital difficulty, hardship, or suffering, with the assurance that God is working all to our greatest good (Romans 8:28). 
8) Because of the gospel, Christ dwells in us by his Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14). Therefore we are confident that God is always with us and is always at work in our marriage, even when progress is imperceptible (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). 
9) Because of the gospel, we have power to fight and overcome remaining sin, which continues to dwell and war within us (Romans 7:19-21, 24-25; Galatians 5:16-17). This indwelling enemy represents the essence of what is called the doctrine of sin.

Today, then, as you marvel at the birth of your Savior, consider what He did to decisively do something about marriage.

Weekend Preview – Christmas in 1 John

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This coming Sunday, 12/20/15, I’m hoping to do have a fun journey into some themes related to Christmas in the book of 1 John, which we’re currently working through as a church.

Here’s a graphic on one verse that has especially captured my attention:

This isn’t the first time I’ve done this.  I did a series called Christmas in Hebrews.  I’ve also done a sermon on Christmas in the Book of the Revelation.  So, take time to week and browse through the book of 1 John and see what Christmas themes you can find and let’s compare notes on Sunday.

Weekend Recap – Christmas Bursts Expectations

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My 12/13/15AM devotional from the end of the children’s Christmas program was entitled Christmas Bursts Expectations from 1 Samuel 16:1-13.  I tried to make some connections between Samuel going to find a king in Bethlehem, who ended up being a shepherd out in the field, keeping watch over his flock to the King that was born in Bethlehem and announced to shepherds in Luke 2.  It’s truly amazing to watch God burst our expectations of how we would fix a broken world.  And, He does it in a way that is not only effective but lasting.  So, I hope this thought is encouraging to you.

Gospel Friday – His Name Is Jesus…

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What encouragement was Joseph given from the angel about this baby in Mary’s womb:

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Today, then rest in this amazing news that God sent a rescuer for you.