Matthew 2:1-12              Why Not?              Dec 24, 2006   Evening Service

      In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news--man had flown!

 We gather here again this Christmas Eve to remember the birth of Jesus.  However, for many in our nation, the real meaning, the big news, is completely missed.  Last year alone at Christmas, Americans used 28,497,464 rolls and sheets of wrapping paper, 16,826,362 packages of tags and bows, 372,430,684 greeting cards, and 35,200,000 Christmas trees.  In the midst of all that, the Christ of Christmas can be missed.  Now I have no problem with all the parties amd presents.  I love to give and get presents. Yet to miss Jesus is to miss the greatest gift of all.  The Wise Men knew this.  They came seeking him from far away, bringing three symbollic gifts.  They brought gold, a royal gift, because Jesus is king.  They brought fankencense which was used in the temple because Jesus is the new temple where we find God.  And they brought myrrh, which was used for embalming, because Jesus came to die in order to set us free.  Jesus is the great gift of Christmas. 

Now what do we do when someone offers us a gift?  Well, we have a choice.  We can accept it, open it, and enjoy it.  Or we can refuse and say, “No thank you.”   Sadly, many people approach Christmas and the gift of Christ filled with excuses for not accepting the gift.  I ask you this evening, “Why not?”  Why not receive this gift of Christ?  What holds yo back from coming to Christ or perhaps from following Christ more closely?  There are many excuses that keep us away or keep us from being as close as we could be.  

Some think—There is too much to give up if I follow Jesus Christ.  It is true that sometimes God will put His finger on something in our lives that is wrong and we need to give it up to enjoy life in Christ.  But we need remember that God loves us and God only asks us to give up things that will do us harm.  Furthermore, what we give up is nothing compared to what we will receive in the joy of this life in Christ and eternal life with God. 

Some think—I’m not good enough.  None of us are good enough.  Nor can we ever make ourselves good enough.  But God accepts us just as we are today.  That is why Jesus came at Christmas to offer us a gift that we could never find for ourselves.  Some think—I do not know if I could keep it up.  We are right to think that.  Under our own power, we can never follow God where He will take us.  But God grants us His Holy Spirit to empower us to keep going.  God will accept you right as you are today and then God will fill you with the power to become so much more than you today. 

Some think—I’ll do it later.  This is a common excuse.  People say, “I know it is true, but I am not ready.”  I want to tell you that the longer you wait to commit yourself to Jesus Christ, the harder it will be.  Many young people think that it will be easier when they are old men and women to get serious about God.  The fact is that most serious Christians started following Christ in their young years.  Few older people get serious about God after a lifetime spent away.  So whereever you are in your life, now is the time.  You will not get any younger.  Every day away from God is a day with less joy and fullness of life. 

Some think--I have no need of God.  They feel that they are happy in this world without God.  However, and this may seem harsh, our greatest need in life is not worldly happiness.  Our greatest need is to find the joy of coming home to God.   I mentioned earlier about the Wright brothers and the editor who only observed that they were coming home for Christmas.  I can understand his mistake.  Home for Christmas is a theme close to everyone’s heart.  The words in some way carry great power for us all.  One of my favorite songs during the holidays is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”  It’s an old World War II song.  A soldier far from home writes his letter filled with his hopes and requests.  “Please have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree.”  He makes his promise that he’ll be home for Christmas, but in the end, it is only in his dreams.    There is a deep longing for a place called “Home.”  And like the Prodigal Son, we may travel the world in search of happiness.   But some day we all realize, “I am starving while in my Father’s house, there is plentiful joy.”   

There was a special praise conference held at a very formal church. People were given helium filled balloons and told to release them at some point in the service when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts.  However, being such a formal church, many did not feel free to praise the Lord.  All through the service some balloons ascended, but when it was over, 1/3 of the balloons were unreleased.  Held back by those who had waited.   Let me tell you this Christmas evening-- Let your balloon go.  This greatest gift is offered to you.  Why wait any longer? 

What do we need to do to receive this gift?  The New Testament is clear that we must do something to receive the gift which God offers.  This is an act of faith.  It is like the step of faith taken by a bride and groom on their wedding day when they say “I will.”  You can take this step in many ways.  Let me describe one way you can do this.  It can summarized by a few words. 

Sorry.  We say we are sorry and ask God to forgive us our sin. 

Thank You.  When we are given a gift, we say thank you.  Christ has come, hrist has died, Christ has risen so that we might have this gift of new life.  Say thank you.

Please.   God does not force His way into our lives.  We invite God into our lives.  Please Lord, come into my life and live within me by your Spirit.  If you desire a relationship with God and you are ready to say these three things, then I encourage you tonight as you come forward for Holy Communion that you would seek God in your prayers.

What do you do then?  Tell someone what you have done.  It is important to tell someone and not keep it a secret.  This underlines the decision you have made.  It helps make it more a reality for you as you share it with someone else.  So tell me or a Sunday School teacher or a small group leader or some other Christian friend.  They can then help you continue forward with this new gift.  I ask you tonight, “Why not?”  Why not receive what God offers you?  Tonight at this altar, as you come for communion, ask God that you will receive.  Amen.