The Nightmare Before New Years '18

In this sermon, I look at the struggles we have experiencing Christmas because we are so busy and consumed by DOING Christmas. I then use Galatians 4 to talk about the importance of the holiday. I conclude with the poem below.

The Nightmare Before New Years by Jordan Rimmer

Twas the Nightmare before New Years, and all through the land Everyone was stirring, as fast as they can. The decorations were hung, but were they enough? Paying off all this credit card debt will be tuff.

The children were tucked in and dreaming upstairs Of expensive toys that they’ll break and they’ll lose and won’t share. Mom and I were exhausted, and fell fast asleep For this was a pace that we just could not keep.

It was snowing outside and starting to pile In the morning I would have to shovel a while. Man, was the winter always rough on my back. And we are travelling this week and didn’t yet pack.

The kids would wake up before the crack of dawn To open their toys, and all day they will yawn. Then we’d dash to see family throughout the day And we’ll eat and we’ll talk while all the kids play.

As the day moves along a smile turns to a frown Somebody’s bound to have a melt-down. It might be a kid who didn’t get enough sleep Or an adult with too many secrets to keep.

Is this really what Christmas is all about? That we run and we spend and we stress and we shout? We hustle and bustle and wear ourselves thin. Is there something more happening that we just won’t let in?

Then we realize with a great amount of fear: We are going to have do this all again next year? But bigger, and better, and nicer, and more More shopping, more cookies, of everything—more.

Or we could choose differently here, you and I. We could hold on to love and give up the lie That Christmas is all about presents and stuff We could look at it differently, but it will be tuff.

Maybe it’s not about presents at all Or decorations or cookies or sales at the mall. Maybe the holiday is all about love. That started with Christ who came from above.

The love that was laid in the manger of hay Changes the way we love others today. Maybe this Christmas we can more than get through. Merry Christmas, I say, and God’s blessings to you.