I preached my way through the ChristmasTexts for over thirty years. Each week I felt obligated to teach or lead at least one Wednesday night Bible study, one Sunday morning sermon, and one Sunday night sermon on a Christmas theme. Some years I would preach four Sunday mornings on some aspect of the arrival of Jesus.
That’s a lot of information crafted together in a way that neither bored my listeners or me. The first few years of pastoring were relatively easy in this regard. From my perspective, all I said was fresh and interesting, so I assumed it was for those who were listening or quietly sitting in attendance.
Each of the special days of the year arrived with the same challenge; How to present this event’s Truth in a way that recaptures and redirects our attention to have the same worth the event holds in Heaven.
Taking a very familiar story and telling it repeatedly to the same group of people is not easy. Retelling the story can quickly become retailing the story. So, be appreciative of the one who retails The Story to you this year.
I do pray that Emmanuel’s story is lively and fresh for you this year. I also pray that the joy of Christmas will move more definitively from what you are giving to Who you were given.
Merry Christmas, my friends!
(When you think about it, how could it be anything other than merry?)
Photo – A nativity set I made from my father’s templates.
Baldwin Heirlooms 