Parkwood Baptist Church

“Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”

This short movie is another well known animated film that has become a regular part of our Christmas tradition.  Even people that have never seen the actual movie still know who Rudolph is and his story.

It is the story of a young reindeer born into the family of one of Santa’s special eight…specifically…Donner’s son.  Needless to say, this new reindeer is set to enjoy a legacy position with the team.  However, there is an issue that becomes evident from the beginning…Rudolph  has a red nose.  And, this is not just the color red…it glows!  Lights up like a stoplight!

The “problem” with this physical oddity is that Donner and family see it as an embarrassment…something to be hidden.  They go to great lengths to hide it which actually draws more attention to it and soon everyone knows of this young deer’s “special” feature.  His family is ashamed.  His friends laugh at him and call him names.  They never let “poor Rudolph play in any reindeer games”.  Therefore…

…Rudolph runs away and finds refuge on the island of misfit toys.  This is a place where toys that are different or “unique” in some way…thought to be unwanted by children…were exiled.  Well, Rudolph eventually finds his way back home and…spoiler alert…”then one foggy Christmas eve Santa came to say, ‘Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

This movie has a message that can be found in the first Christmas.  Christmas is for everyone!  Yes, “God so loved the world” that He came, but we also need to remember that God loves each of us individually as well.  God loves you and all the things that make you “special”.  In fact, the Scripture tells us that God designed each of us  uniquely and created for a specific purpose in His Kingdom work.

God spoke to the young prophet Jeremiah about this when he was feeling inadequate;

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations!” (Jeremiah 1:5)

This is the real life, Spiritual truth…you were “handmade” by God and have been designed for a special purpose in His Kingdom…even if you have a nose that glows!  Misfits and outcasts in the worlds eyes are heros in the Kingdom of God.

In Rudolph’s story he leads Santa to the island of misfit toys and he finds homes for all of the “special” toys.  We love this message!  When the underdog is lifted up…the under valued finds worth…the lost becomes found…those feeling unloved are welcomed in.  Are you with me?

Jesus came at Christmas to let us know that we are not forgotten or unloved.  We are not misfits!  He came to reveal that He loves and values each of us and that He has a place for us in His Kingdom family.

You are loved!  Merry Christmas!

“A Christmas Carol”
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

We have looked at several common elements that are threaded through most Christmas movies.  The presence of a “scrooge” or “grinch” and a transformation that is  brought on by a defining moment.  The “spirit” of Christmas moves our antagonist from unbeliever to believer and restoration of relationships begins…and everyone lives happily ever after : )

There is something else that is essential to this formula that we do not always see but has to be present for this happy ending to work…forgiveness.

When Scrooge shows up at the Crachit house on Christmas day he is not immediately well received.  After all, he has treated Bob Crachit horrible for years!  He is pretty much the reason that the Crachit family has been struggling.  So, it is no wonder that Bob is a little skeptical of the old man’s sudden transformation.  But, due to movie time constraints it is implied and even demonstrated to us that forgiveness has taken place.  Yes, believe it or not, Bob forgives Scrooge for his years of abuse and selfishness in a moment.

When the Grinch brings Christmas back to the Who’s down in Whoville…they forgive him and accept him into the community the same day…”and he, he himself, the Grinch, carved the roast beast!”

In “It’s a Wonderful Life”, George Bailey’s family and friends had to forgive him for his rude and downright hateful way that he treated him when he thought his dreams would be lost due to his disappointing life.

When the Peanuts gang finally got the message and went after Charlie Brown, he had to forgive his friends for their cruel treatment the public humiliation they had just handed him!

On and on the story goes…the part that is implied…even essential to the “happy ending”.  Forgiveness.  Whether it comes from the Whos, the Crachits or the Charlie Browns of our movies…it seems to flow from our yuletide victims so easily.  Not that I’m bitter…but…come on Charlie Brown!  “How ’bout a little 21st century grudge holding?”  “Maybe a just a few more sleepless nights for Mr Scrooge?”  “Hey Whoville, a two year sentence of shoveling snow sounds resonable!”

Maybe this seldom mentioned element to our “Christmas” movies is the most distinguishing characteristic of all?  In a day when most movies satisfy the inner thirst for vengence and revenge, our holiday films offer something not so natural…even divine…forgiveness.  It doesn’t make sense to us.  It is not natural.  We want the bad guy to get what he deserves.  We tend to resist forgiveness and harbor anger.  It’s our way.

Christmas has a different message.  The Scripture tells us that we had rejected God and His design for us.  We were his “enemies” by choice.  What we deserved is a death sentence.  Yet, God did not walk away.  He came to us.  He burst into our world that first Christmas because He loved us so much that He could not let us go.  He did what we would never do…He forgave us.  He did not give us what we deserved but…He gave us what we needed…forgiveness.  It’s almost unbelievable!  But, it’s the Truth!

Believe it today and have a Merry Christmas!

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
“A Christmas Carol”

There is another element that we see this time of year in many of our Christmas movies…a desire to help those that are less fortunate.  In the two movies mentioned above there are families that are struggling to make ends meet for one reason or another.  By the end of the stories there is a more benevolent spirit toward them.  The transformation we have talked about that changes the attitudes of our characters usually includes a spirit of generosity that especially blesses those in need.

In “A Christmas Carol” it is the Crachit family.  We see that they are simply scraping by in the poorest section of London.  They barely have enough to eat and, certainly no money to get proper medical care for the ailing Tiny Tim.  However, after the transformation of Mr. Scrooge, he generously commits his resources to help them improve their life and to get Tim the help that he needs.

In “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” the Herdman family has a similar struggle and, after the enlightenment brought about by the Christmas Pageant, the attitudes of people toward them change.  The once judgemental church members accept them into their congregation as part of the family and there is a committment to reach out and meet their needs.

This theme of giving should make perfect sense to us.  Christmas is all about giving and receiving!  Whether Hollywood knows it or not, the coming of Jesus reveals to us a God who is generous!  The loving Father has expressed His generosity especially to the lowly and destitute.  That’s right.  We were lost in the poverty of our sinful ways when God came to our rescue.  Our circumstances were dire, but God came to change what we could not do.  He showed that He was not an angry tyrant, but a loving Father.  He was transforming the perception of the world by coming to us…God with us!

As you meditate on the first Christmas event today, think about those that God singled out to carry the news

So, the generosity that is so prevelent in this season finds its’ roots in the first Christmas when “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16).  We are never more like God than when we give!

There are reminders of this truth all around us this season.  The bell ringers outside of the grocery store…the collection of food or gifts for those in need…the opportunities and programs that to help families that are struggling…even the wrapped presents under the tree represent a generosity that comes this time of year.

Is there someone in your world today that needs some help?  Let’s practice generosity today.  Not just with money or material things but with a warm smile and a helping hand.

Merry Christmas!

Continue reading →

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

There are a few of our Christmas specials and movies that actually mention the story of the birth of Jesus.  In the classic special starring Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang we find our hero struggling with the commercialization of the holiday.  He searches for the answer of what the true meaning of Christmas is.  His friend Lucy points out that they need a director for the annual Christmas pageant at the school and encourages Charlie Brown to step up to the task.

The story walks us through Charlie’s frustrations in his search and the lack of help he receives from his friends, who all seem to be distracted by the glitter and glam of the season.  He is sent to get a tree for the play and decides, in a last attempt to “save Christmas”, to get a live one though it is pretty sparse.  This brings criticism…laughter from his friends…and he leaves the group in defeated humiliation.  Not a very Merry Christmas.  But…spoiler alert…consistent with our formula…there is a moment of transformation!  However, in this movie…it is the presentation of the true story of Christmas…the story of Jesus!

Seeing Charlie Brown’s defeat Linus quotes the Scriptural account of the first Christmas.  After hearing this the group decides that all the small struggling tree needs (and Charlie Brown) is just a little loving care.  With the new perspective relationships are restored and they gather together to sing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”.

Don’t get me wrong.  I love the lights and glitter of Christmas for sure, but we must be intentional in keeping the message of Jesus at the center of it all.  He truly is the “reason for the season”.  I would challenge you to read the story from the Bible several times during the remainder of this Advent season.  It will add joy, purpose, and perspective to everything you do this Christmas!  Here is just a taste:

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.'” (Luke 2:8-12).

Merry Christmas!

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

Sometimes the answer to our prayer is not exactly what we expected.  When George Bailey finds that his small business has misplaced $8,000 he is devastated.  It is just one more thing…the “final straw”.  This will mean that all he has worked for will be lost and he will most likely go to jail.  In his desperation he does something that we do not see in the movies today…he prays.  Through tears he offers a simple and sincere prayer to God…a God that he is not sure is listening…”God, I’m not a praying man but, if you are there, I need your help…”

It is a moving moment in the story and we are drawn in because we have all been there.  When we come to the end of our rope…the end of our abilities…no where else to turn…we pray.  Like George we cry out in childlike faith for help.  It is more than a Christmas story…it is the story of our daily lives on this earth.  We work and struggle to find joy, meaning, and fulfillment in our own strength and in our own way, but even our best efforts eventually come crashing down and there we are with George Bailey at a bar in Bedford Falls…”Oh God, if you are there, I need your help.  I can’t make it on my own.  I don’t know what to do.”

This is the human condition.  We try and try and try to make it without God and without fail we come up short.  We are inadequate.  We are way more than $8,000 short and the debt we owe will do more than put us in jail.  We are desperate.

The good news in the movie is that God answers George!  Of course, it is not by giving him $8,000 dollars.  It is by sending a “second class” angel named Clarence to give him a proper perspective.  That is not what George expected.  He was hoping for a more dramatic answer, but God was interested in providing what he needed rather than what he wanted.  For this reason he doesn’t get it and much of the movie is Clarence trying to convince George otherwise.

The Scripture tells us that the first Christmas was received in a similar way.  The nation of Israel had been waiting for the Messiah…praying desperately for a Savior, but the answer wasn’t quite what they expected.  Instead of a political or military leader to deliver them from the oppression of the Romans God “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).  He was born in a stable not a palace and, therefore, they did not recognize Him.

“The True Light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” (John 1:9-11)

Christmas came as an answer to prayer.  And…it came the way it did in order to change our perspective of who God is and who we are created to be.  So, in all the glitter and lights of the season don’t miss the answer to our prayer who was born that first Christmas in a quiet corner of Bethlehem.  Maybe not what we expected but exactly what we needed.

Merry Christmas!

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

The Christmas season is a very busy time for most people.  It involves hosting or attending parties and participating in special holiday activities and…a lot of shopping!  This requires some detailed scheduling, planning and precision implimentation for our celebration to be complete.  We have our calendars filled out to the minute and our “To Do” lists at the ready!  Not to mention our “Gift List”…naughty and nice!

Yes, navigating the crowds, the traffic, the schedules, and all the “Yuletide” pressure can be overwhelming and…if things do not go according to plan…frustrating.  We can observe this in the face of the shopper who just found out that the perfect gift was sold out.  The driver who got to the program on time but it was the wrong day.  The family tree decorating that resulted in a  fight over a favorite ornament (yes, it can happen).  You see, we each have another list that we carry.  It may be written down but it is usually kept in our hearts and unspoken.  It is the list of our expectations of what needs to happen for our Christmas to be the most meaningful.  It is often revealed after things go a little differently than we planned.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me they didn’t like ham?”  “This has been on the calendar for weeks!”  “Christmas eve is always the 24th of December!”  “I was just hoping that we could just have…”  And the list comes out.

All of us have expectations and hopes for the holidays.  There is nothing wrong with that.  In fact, it is part of the anticipation of the season.  But, there is the temptation for us to hold so tightly to our “lists” that we miss the unexpected joys present in the midst of the chaos.  This is the moment when we can become the one who brings the holiday train to a screeching halt.

In the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, a series of unexpected…unplanned events change the direction of George Bailey’s life.  He sacrifices his plan to go to school so that his brother can go…he cannot go to war due to a bad ear…he doesn’t get out of his small town because he is persuaded to stay and save his father’s business…and the “list” goes on or, in his case, gets rewritten.

For George Bailey,  unfulfilled expectations for his life became a spiral into desparation and disappointment.  It took an angel named Clarence to get him to see that life may not go exactly as you plan or expect but it is wonderful all the same.

That was certainly true for Mary and Joseph that first Christmas.  Away from home…sleeping in a stable…a baby born…before a proper wedding.  Wrong place…wrong time…the “List” is out the window.  Not what we planned.   But, what a wonderful moment!

Look around today.  There is something happening that is not on your list.  Don’t get frustrated.  Embrace it as a new twist to your already wonderful life.

Merry Christmas!

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

There are many aspects of this beloved Christmas classic that can remind us of what God revealed to us through the Bethlehem event so many years ago.  Yesterday we pointed out that sometimes our personal disappointments and unfulfilled expectations can distract us from the blessings that God has brought into our lives.  In a way, we become the “scrooge” of our own Christmas!

Part of the problem for George Bailey is that he feels unimportant and that what he is doing in the small town of Bedford Falls makes no difference in the bigger picture.  He hears reports of what his contemporaries are doing in the big city or what his own brother is doing as a fighter pilot in the war.  These things just feed George’s sense of “insignificance” and discontent.

We can often find ourselves asking the same questions as George back in Bedford Falls…Why am I here?  What difference does it make?  Maybe you feel that you are trapped in your life instead of blessed!  “Does God care about me in a world of billions of people?”

Let me share with you a word of encouragement from the Christmas story…God loves everyone…even what the world may see as “insignificant” and small.  The prophets tell us that God chose the “little” town of Bethlehem to burst into our world (Micah 5:2)!   He did not come into the Capital city of Jerusalem into the royal palace.  He came into a small town just a stone’s throw from the city.  He chose to be born into a common family of no particular position and in a stable behind a No Vacancy sign.

He was not surrounded by people of religious or political power, but by simple shepherds from a nearby field.  The message?  Jesus came to everyone.  There is no person too small or too insignificant or too hidden away that God does not love.  Therefore, that includes us!

Sometimes we can feel like Bethlehem…small…unimportant…in the shadows of the Jerusalems of our world.  The good news of Christmas is that you are important to God!  He loves you and you have been created for a relationship to God.  And…not only a relationship…but to be a significant part of His plan to redeem the world!

In other words, you have been chosen, like Bethlehem, to bring the message of God’s love into this world.  You are called to bring the Christmas message to those around you!

George Bailey found out that his life WAS significant and his selfless love for others had made an impact beyond anything that he could imagine.  In the Kingdom of God each of us is equally significant.  No one is more less important than anyone else.  Therefore, we are all called, like the shepherds, to proclaim the message of Christmas to our world!

Merry Christmas!

“It’s A Wonderful Life”

This movie starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey is still listed as one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time.  The funny thing is that it is not about Christmas specifically, but the final scenes of the film take place during the holidays and it has been a favorite ever since 1946!

The movie is the life story of a young man named George Bailey who has spent his whole life in the small town of Bedford Falls.  His story is told to us through a conversation between two angels and flashbacks from his childhood to the present day.  We find out rather quickly that George has had a problem throughout his “wonderful life”…unfulfilled expectations.  His dream had always been to get out of his small town and do something great that would make a difference in the world!  However, through a series of circumstances, George finds himself stuck in Bedford Falls running his father’s small building and loan business which provides affordable homes to those who are struggling to make ends meet.

Before we go further into some of the things that make this story special I want to point out that sometimes the “Scrooge” in our Christmas story is our own frustrations with our circumstances.  We get caught up in dreaming about a “better life” or even a “normal life” and we miss the joys and blessings of our “present life”.  It is that great American pasttime of “the grass is always greener”.  This attitude of dissatisfaction can feed depression and have a negative effect on our relationships with family and friends.  When our friend George Bailey is at his lowest point he insults a well meaning school teacher…yells at his kids for no reason…trashes his living room and…contemplates suicide.   Wow, not a very “merry” Christmas.

In this story an angel intervenes to show George that his life is wonderful right now!  He doesn’t realize that his own life has made an impact on so many others and the town itself.  Spoiler alert…George’s attitude is transformed when he is granted the “gift” of seeing what the world would be like if he had never been born.  The message is “one life touches so many”.

Christmas is a great time to adjust our perspective.  It is an opportunity to count our blessings and show appreciation through the giving and receiving of gifts.  It is a chance to enjoy the present life that we have been given.  No, it is probably not exactly what you expected but it is the one you have been blessed with.  So, let me challenge you to check all your attitudes of discontent at the door of the stable and come into the presence of the Prince of Peace who has come that you might have a “wonderful life” today.

“I came (Christmas) that they may have life and have it abundantly” – Jesus (John 10:10)

“Home Alone”       “Home Alone 2”

When watching these films from the “Home Alone” movie franchise there is a certain joy we experience when Kevin is reunited with his family and that should remind us of the reconciliation with God that we can experience because of the first Christmas.  But, let us be clear that there are some things we do not want to take away from this holiday favorite.  God has not accidentally left us behind…alone on this planet.  He did not create us and set this world in  motion and go on vacation without us.  We did not get on the wrong plane and end up in the wrong city.  The truth of the matter is that God has always been with us…even before that first Christmas event.  Yes, it was at the first Christmas in Bethlehem that the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).  Yes, Jesus was born at a specific time…in a specific place, but that is not when God finally showed up.

In other words, Christmas isn’t about God finally finding us…it is about us finding God.  It is about God making Himself known to us…seeing our Father who has been here all along.  The Scripture tells us that God has always been with us.  He is Emmanuel…”God with us”.  Christmas was not about God coming back after forgetting us.  It is a revelation of the Truth that God has always been here…always been watching over us…always available to help…always loving us…and always making Himself known to us!

The Psalmist wrote long before Jesus was born, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).  The testimony of Scripture is clear.  God has always been here and active in wooing His creation back into relationship with Himself.  The birth of Jesus was simply the ultimate and clearest revelation of the Truth that God is here…God loves you.  He loves you so much that He came and walked on this earth…spoke the language…ate the food…experienced grief and pain.  Why?  To make sure you knew that He understands where you are coming from.  He can say, “Been there.  Done that”.

Christmas means that God doesn’t just love us from afar…He loves us “up close and personal”.  He is a Father who is willing to climb into our messy world…our messy lives and love us right where we are.  Do you feel like you have been left behind.  Like, maybe God has forgotten about you and left you home alone.  Be assured…He has not forgotten you or left you.  In fact, He knows where you are and wants to reveal Himself to you.

That’s the message of Christmas!