Parental Guidance Recommended!

Long Version of Sermon Notes for email subscribers:  December 16, 2007

Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

(480) 895-8766

 

John 3:14-17 NRSV

14“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.  16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  17Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

 

A.  Introduction

 

    1.  The Day After

        a.  It was in the 1980’s and toward the end of that confrontation with Communism called the Cold War.  People were still very concerned about a possible nuclear confrontation between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.  The experts told us a nuclear war would be devastating, and this was true not only of the initial destruction, but of the nightmare conditions that would follow.  Those who survived the first day would suffer even more than those who died in the blast of the bomb.

        b.  Hollywood produced a movie to show what it would be like the day after a nuclear war.  Indeed the show was called THE DAY AFTER, and I remember how it began.  An announcer came on and said, “Due to the nature of this film and the graphic presentation of this event, parental guidance is recommended.”

 

    2.  Youth Group Movie

        a.  The teens in the Youth Group at Calvary United Methodist Church wanted to go see a movie together.  The “theater” section of the newspaper lay before us.  One of the counselors said, “Let’s see if we can find a nice ‘G’ rated movie.”  The teens all booed this and one replied, “Those are films for babies.  Why can’t we go to a “PG” movie?”  And so a leader said, “Well maybe. What is the movie and why does the Motion Picture Ratings Board say that parental guidance is recommended?”

        b.  “Parental guidance recommended.”  The last time I heard that phrase was when I was watching one of those police forensic shows.  “Parental guidance recommended,” its cousin “viewer discretion advised” and the older ratings expression “for mature audiences” are all phrases associated with both the motion picture industry and TV.  And again these have stimulated my thinking this Advent Season.  For there are a number of places, if we are to have a true understanding of Christmas, that parental guidance is recommended and some Christian maturity is needed.  We as adults especially have the responsibility to make sure that the children and grandchildren see the true meaning of the season. 

 

    3.  Mall Signs:  “Christmas is…”

        a.  A number of years ago one of our larger local shopping Malls chose as a theme:  “Christmas is…”  Everywhere you looked in the mall that message was present!  One of the posters read:  “Christmas is for children.”  There is a certain degree of truth in this.  Christmas does center around the birth of the baby Jesus.  In addition, children today reflect the wonder, excitement, and joy that were present at that first Christmas!  As a parent I quickly learned this.  When my children were little they always got very excited about Christmas.

        b.  However, we must never forget that Christmas is, also, for adults.  It is important for us to understand that this season celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is, also, important that we teach the children the true meaning of Christmas.  Children need assistance in this so that they do not get caught up in the selfish secular version of Christmas.  Therefore, using the expression “Christmas is” let us see where “Parental guidance is recommended” in three important areas:

 

B.  Christmas IS Jesus!

 

    1.  Mall Signs

        a.  Some of those signs at the mall read:  “Christmas is decorating the tree!”  “Christmas is making cookies and cakes!”  “Christmas is Santa Claus!”  “Christmas is gaily wrapped packages!”  Many of the stores, though they never said it directly, implied that Christmas is shopping, buying tons of gifts and spending lots of money! 

        b.  These things do not define Christmas.  Making merchants lots of money is not the purpose of the season.  Decorating trees and baking are merely decorative wrapping.  Christmas is Christ.  It is the celebration of His physical birth into our world, and His spiritual birth or re-birth in our hearts. 

 

    2.  Santa comes to the Youth Group

        a.  It was our custom at the Trinity United Methodist Youth Group to have a Christmas Party one Sunday evening in December during our regular meeting time.  We would sing Christmas carols and exchange gifts.  Santa Claus always came to direct things and give the kids additional gifts.  It was, also, our custom to celebrate each young person’s birthday.  Mary had a December birthday.  With her permission we turned her party into the evening lesson.  We gathered round a table and we sang “Happy Birthday” to Mary.  Then Santa came in with a sack full of goodies.  The youth all rushed over to get free music tapes from Santa, and Mary sat at her birthday table all alone!

        b.  Santa then asked everybody to sit down, look over at Mary, and think about what happened.  This led to a great discussion.  Too often at Christmas time we forget whose birthday it is that we celebrate.  Our Youth Group Santa told us that Christmas is not about spending money or getting a bunch of gifts.  “And it’s not about me either,” said Santa.  “I only started giving people gifts as an expression of my gratitude for the best gift of all Jesus Christ!”  Then Santa kneeled before the manger scene and so did we.  Santa then led us in a prayer thanking Jesus for coming into our world to be our Savior.  After that our Santa gave us all little decorative pins that showed Santa kneeling before the Christ child in the manger.

 

    3.  Christmas IS Jesus!

        a.  One of the most absurd notions in the world is the idea of having Christmas without Christ!  Those concerned about this often say, “Let’s put Christ back in Christmas.”  But the truth is that Jesus IS Christmas!  We may have a holiday without Christ, but we cannot have Christmas without Him.  Christmas literally means the CHRIST MASS.  It is the worship of Jesus!  It is a day of celebrating His birth!

        b.  Christmas is Christ.  We need to remember this.  It is easy for us, and especially the children, to get distracted by the tinsel and glitter.  So parental guidance is needed to help the young people and to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

 

C.  Christmas IS giving!

 

    1.  John 3:16

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

        b.  When you love someone you give to him or her your best gifts.  You give them your attention, your time, your best thoughts, and yourself.  God gave to us His very best in the form of the baby born in Bethlehem.  Christmas therefore is about God giving us the greatest gift of all!  And Christmas is about our saying thank you to God for the gift of Jesus by doing good for others.  Children need help in understanding this.  Parental guidance is recommended.  It is easy for us to get confused and to think that Christmas is about getting instead of giving.  This is especially true of children because they are so often on the receiving end and get so many gifts at Christmas time.

 

    2.  Lucy in the Peanuts Comic Strip

        a.  Charles Schulz gives us a great illustration of this in his Peanuts Comic Strip.  Shortly before Christmas Lucy is going over a long and narrow piece of paper with an extremely long list on it.  Charlie Brown asks, “What is that, Lucy?”  She replies, “It’s my ‘Get List.’  These are all the things I expect to get from my mother and father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.”  Charlie says, “Oh, but where is your give list?”  Lucy is completely dumbfounded!  She has no idea of what he is talking about, and says, “Give?  Christmas is a time for kids to get stuff!”

        b.  For Lucy Christmas is getting, and not giving.  And too many of us today, kids and adults, take the same attitude.

 

    3.  L*E*O*N

        a.  Jo Carr in one of her devotional books tells about a neighbor named Mr. Miller who cut out huge plywood letters that spelled out the word “NOEL.”  They were very big as each letter was made from a four-foot by eight-foot piece of three-quarters inch thick plywood!  And each letter was illuminated by hundreds of flashing lights!  Then one evening in the middle of a west Texas wind, as it was getting dark Mr. Miller tried to attach the letters to his roof.  Finally he came down, called all the neighbors over, and turned on the electricity.  Everyone smiled as the rooftop lit up and flashed:  LEON, LEON, LEON!  One neighbor laughing said, “I think you got Christmas backwards!”

        b.  It is so easy to get Christmas backwards and to distort the real meaning.  And that’s just what happens when we place the emphasis on getting instead of giving.  As adults we need to realize that.  As adults we need to guide the children.  Christmas is not about getting.   It is not about spending a lot of money.  It is not about buying meaningless gifts for people who don’t need them anyways.  I encourage families to choose at least one act of pure and honest giving.  Bake cookies for a shut in.  Fill a Christmas boxes for a needy family.  Donate in someone’s name to a worthwhile charity.  Get into the spirit of giving.  Help your own children or grandchildren or neighborhood children, also, to get into this spirit of giving!

 

D.  Christmas IS Worship!

    1.  Bible people and their response to Christmas

        a.  When Mary learned that she was going to be the mother of Jesus, she sang a hymn of praise:  “My heart praises the Lord; my soul is glad because of God my Savior, for He has remembered me, His lowly servant.”  (Luke 1:46-48 TEV)

        b.  After the shepherds heard the words of Good News from the angel, they went to meet Jesus personally, and then they returned to their fields:  “Singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them!”  (Luke 2:20 TEV)

        c.  When the Wise Men completed their journey and finally met Jesus, the newborn King:  “They knelt down and worshipped Him.  They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to Him.”  (Matthew 2:11 TEV)

        d.  Christmas is our worshipful response to God for the gift of Jesus!  We may not be able to change the fact that too many Americans fail to see the true meaning of Christmas.  However, through our worship, our celebrations, and our service we can affirm to others and ourselves the true meaning of this joyous season!  Bible people show us the way.

    2.  Amy and her Birthday Party for Jesus!

        a.  Amy was five years old and very excited about Christmas.  She got mom and dad up early on Christmas day.  Her parents figured she probably had already tore into her gifts, opened them, played with them, and now wanted mom and dad to open their gifts.  However, when they go into the living room they found she had placed all the gifts into three tidy little piles.  For some reason she had, also, moved the Nativity Set to the middle of the coffee table.  Dad sat down and started to open his first gift.

        b.  “No, no, no,” said Amy!  A confused dad replied, “What is it?  What’s wrong?”  Amy said, “You forgot to do something.  Today is Jesus’ birthday and before we open the gifts we have to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Jesus.”  So they sang “Happy Birthday, Jesus” and then Amy made everybody kiss baby Jesus!  Here was a child who understood that Christmas IS worship. 

    3.  Our Response?

        a.  How are you at praising God this Christmas?  As “mature” adult believers we need to lead the way.  Therefore, to each of us, I recommend parental guidance for your whole family.  Whether that means, one, two, four or twenty, see to it that Christmas IS worship for your home.  And if there is only one or two of you in the house, include the grandkids or neighbor kids in your worship.  Establish a time for personal and family devotions every day from now until Christmas.  Just a few minutes will work wonders!  Pray and read from Matthew, chapters one and two, and Luke, chapters one and two.  You could, also, pick up a devotional book at a Christian bookstore.

        b.  Also, be present at each of our Advent Worship services.  And on Christmas Eve come to God’s House and like little Amy with child-like love say, “Thank you, Jesus!”  Like Mary, the shepherds, and the Wise Men make your Christmas Worship to be this way:  Give to God your best service, your best time, and your best gifts.  Please Him by sharing His love with others!

 

 

E.  Conclusion

    1.  Parental Guidance Recommended

          a.  This Christmas, parental guidance is recommended.  Friends, the true understanding and worship of Christmas won’t happen without some commitment, effort, work, and leadership.

          b.  As adult believers, make sure that you are focused on the real Christmas.  And through your actions and words teach the children and grandchildren the truth about this Holy Season!

    2.  Recap:  a.  Christmas IS Jesus!

                        b.  Christmas IS giving!

                        c.  Christmas IS Worship!

 

(4)

 

Parental Guidance Recommended!

 

Do not forget to remember for yourself, and to teach

the children and grandchildren about the real meaning of Christmas:

 

1.  Christmas IS Jesus!

 

2.  Christmas IS giving!

 

3.  Christmas IS Worship!

 

John 3:14-17 NRSV

14“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 

17Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”