Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Christmas is just around the corner, and with all the glitter and glamour that seems to dominate the season, it’s refreshing to know that A Charlie Brown Christmas is still one of the most popular animated Christmas shows on television. My favorite part of this simple Charles Schultz creation is when Charlie Brown reaches the breaking point in his frustration and dismay over the commercialization of Christmas. In despair he cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about”? Linus tells him he knows, and begins to recite the Christmas story from Luke 2. When he finishes, he walks over to Charlie Brown and says, “And that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown”.
This Christmas, in the midst of all the gift giving, tree decorating, and Christmas parties, let’s not neglect to tell the real story of Christmas. It’s a story for every generation. When you tell the story, tell the whole story. It’s not just the story of a cuddly baby in a manger. It’s the story of the Incarnation, God choosing to become one of us-God in the flesh.
Immanuel is the name we use to describe this essential truth about the babe that was born. He came on purpose for a purpose. His love for us and desire for our salvation is why He came. The Cross would be the means through which He demonstrated His reason for coming. No gift given to man ever cost so much as the one God gave to us on that starlit night.
Lydia E. Harris authored a wonderful grandparenting resource many years ago, especially for new grandparents, called Preparing My Heart For Grandparenting. She offers some timeless suggestions for telling the Christmas story with our grandchildren. Here’s one I like because it was part of my Christmas tradition as a child.
“Bring the story to life with drama. Grandma Ruth sewed simple costumes (we used bath robes), and her grandchildren dressed up as nativity characters and acted out the story. Dramatizing the story internalizes Scripture in a way they’ll remember.” I might add it makes for a really fun evening as well! We did this one year when we were able to have all of our scattered family come together. Every generation got involved and it was not only a riotously fun time, but it reminded all of us of what Christmas really is about.
Here’s another: “It’s our tradition to tell the Christmas story in a mixed-up way so the grandkids can correct us. I mount Christmas cards on chopsticks and print stop on the back of each card. Everyone gets a card. Then as I tell the story, they hold up their ‘stop signs’ whenever I say something incorrect. I begin, ‘Once upon a time,’ and they stop me since this isn’t a fairy tale. I continue with wrong details. The grandkids listen carefully to catch the mistakes, and there’s lots of laughter.”
However you choose to tell it, make sure the story is told… the way it ought to be told. Why? Because that’s what Christmas is all about, and it’s a story that never grows old!
Merry Christmas to All!
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