December 16, 2023

Dear Road Church Friends,

One of the most delightful modern Christmas stories, written in verse for children, but loved by people of all ages is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The mean old Grinch, dressed as an anti-Santa, tried to stop Christmas from coming by stealing all the gifts and treats and trappings of Christmas in Who-ville. But when Christmas Day dawned, he heard the songs of Christmas being sung by every Who down in Who-ville. Then he learned he hadn’t stopped Christmas at all. “It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store! Maybe Christmas…perhaps …means a little bit more!”

In the early days of the Reformation in old England, Christmas was excessive eating, drinking and mischievous merrymaking. When our Puritan ancestors settled New England, they banned Christmas all together. For a while they succeeded at what the Grinch tried to do. Gather with us Sunday for great Christmas music and the story of “How the Church Saved Christmas.”

SERMON:  How the Church Saved Christmas

SCRIPTURES:

Luke 1:76-79

    And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. 

Luke 3:2-14

    At that time John the son of Zechariah went throughout the territory of the Jordan River telling people to turn away from their sins and be baptized. This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet wrote: “A voice is crying in the wilderness: ‘Make the road to your heart ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel! Make it level and smooth. If we can do that the whole world will see God's salvation!’" Repent of your wrongdoings and don't rely on living in God’s chosen nation. God doesn’t care about that. So, the people asked John, “What does God care about?” John answered, “Whoever has two shirts should give one of them to those who have none, and whoever has food should share it with those who are hungry. Be honest in all your dealings. Be truthful, and be content with what you have.”

    CHRISTMAS PRAYER    

by Madeline Morse

Let Christmas not become a thing

Merely of merchants,

Of tinsel, bell and holly wreath

And surface pleasure, but beneath

The childish glamor let us find

Peace and Joy for soul and mind.

Let us follow kinder ways

Through our teeming human maze

And help the age of peace to come

From a Dreamer’s martyrdom.

May Christmas Joy fill your heart and homes,

Pastor Norm

This service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/IQILyx-Capw?si=dvjEHEL1phtYHZa5