THE GOOD NEWS!
The words were written by lyricist Haven Gillespie and musician John Frederick in 1932
and they have been an attention getter from the opening line. See if you recognize them.
“Oh! You'd better watch out, you'd better not cry, you'd better
not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town!
He’s making a list, checking it twice. He's gonna' find out
who’s naughty or nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.
He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re
Awake. He knows when you’ve been bad or good so be good
for goodness sake! Oh! You'd better watch out, you'd better not
cry, you'd better not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is
coming to town!”
There's something about the words of warning, “You'd better watch out” and the
delightful promise, that catches the ear of children big and little, “Santa Claus is coming
to town.” While the song does get ones attention it is not good theology and certainly not
what the original St. Nicholas would have proclaimed. For in the eyes of God there is no
checklist, as the price was paid in full by our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
Everyday is full of forgiveness and grace even if our rooms are messy and we may be
naughty and not nice. This is why during the season of Advent we prepare a place for the
coming of the baby Jesus. In anticipation we wonder, we watch, we contemplate, we
may loose sleep and wonder what will it be like? Am I only dreaming or is this feasible?
His name is John, he is 34 years old, married, has a family and for the last seven years,
he has been looking for his biological parents. What John does not know is his biological
parents have been looking for him also. John’s biggest fear is that he would finally after
all these years find his biological parents and they would want nothing to do with him.
That they would have their own life and not want to have him interfering. After being
orphaned at a young age and adopted, John did not know if he could emotionally handle
being rejected by his biological parents. Little did John know his biological parents were
dealing with the same rollercoaster of emotions.
Then the day came that John and his biological parents had waited thirty-four years for,
as the phone rang and they spoke to each other. With nervousness and perspiration the
word was spoken, “Hello,” “Hello,” “Mom, dad,” “John?” “Mom, dad, I don’t
know if...."
Mom, dad, I don’t know if you remember me but I’m your Son...John. Yes, John...we
love you and not a day has gone by, when we haven’t thought of you and longed to see
you once again. I would love to meet you, see you -- would you really? Oh that makes
us happy to hear that John. We have always loved you and prayed to God to see you
once again John.
At that moment the lives of football’s New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel and his
wife Kitty, as well as their son they gave up at birth when they were not married...John,
felt the presence of God's answered prayer. He and his parents felt inner peace. They
felt closure in a personal world of turmoil and questions unanswered. They no longer
felt rejected, tormented as David did when he wrote these words.
Psalm 13:1-2,
“How long, O LORD? Wilt thou forget me for ever? How long
will thou hide thy face from me? How long must I bear pain in
my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long
shall my enemy be exalted over me?”
“How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all the day?”
My brothers and sisters in Christ, as I read these words, I wonder how many of
God’s children have proclaimed these words in their lives? Words of deep emotional,
psychological pain and despair, when one may feel there is no reason to go on, let
alone a desire to take another breath. There life feels like hell, there is no inner peace,
just turmoil. What a feeling of helplessness one must have to feel let alone say, “How
long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day?”
My brothers and sisters in Christ the words proclaim, “Oh! You'd better watch out,
you'd better not cry, you'd better not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is
coming to town.”
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, HEAR THE GOOD NEWS!
“The King Is Coming! The King is coming, I can hear the
trumpets sounding, and now His face I see; O the King is
coming, the king is coming! Praise God, He’s coming for me!”
This Sunday, the second Sunday of Advent we light the candle of Peace. Last Sunday
we were blessed as Julia and Gabbie lit the first Advent candle, the candle of Hope.
Sometimes I wonder how many of God’s children live in a world of total darkness,
void of any light. Any light of Hope in their life.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, it’s a funny thing about life for sometimes we spend
our life looking in all the wrong places. Wondering, worrying, pondering, searching,
while having endless sleepless nights. God what does it feel like to have inner peace?
Sometimes what we are looking for comes from the least likely places. Our Father,
who Art In Heaven sometimes comes into our neatly organized lives to get our
attention.
The King Is Coming, my brothers and sisters in Christ and in this we have the candle
of Hope in our lives for a new tomorrow.
The beauty of the candle of Hope is in knowing the candle of Peace, when one has
the glow, the warmth that can fill them, when they personally know our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ in their heart and soul. The candle of Peace, inner peace is a
candle that is unconditional, for all are children of God. It is what we seek.
Sometimes in our lives, when God gets our attention, we may find what we are
looking for, in the least likely places. Bethlehem.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we may find that those we are looking for, are
looking for us as well. Looking for us, with love and longing that is unconditional.
Longing in their hearts to hug us once again. In Hope, there is a new tomorrow. In
the love of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, there can be love and peace within our
hearts and souls. As we celebrate this second week of Advent, may we celebrate it
with hope, with love and with peace in knowing that Jesus is coming. He is coming
and what a glorious day it will be. Our God is an Awesome God, who unlike Santa
Claus does not mind if you cry or pout, for he will always be there, to hold us in our
hour of need.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, as long as there is the candle, the Light of Hope in
your life there is always the love of God with you forever and ever. In hope, one may
experience love and peace.
“Hello, mom, dad, its your son John.” “John, OH MY GOD ITS JOHN. We have
thought about you and prayed everyday that one day God would let us see you again.”
In Hope the words can be said from our hearts and souls, “I Love You,” as God
loves us unconditionally. Peace be with you.
Philippians 1: 8-11, (Paul’s letter to the Christians at Philippi)
“For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection
of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound
more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you
may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the
fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the
glory and praise of God.”
Psalm 34:14,
“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it."
John 14:27,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let
them be afraid."
As we prepare for the celebration of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior’s birth, may
we remember the gift is not what we receive. The greatest gift of all is when we give
unto another. Give as God has given unto us in Hope and Love. In hope and love,
may we never give up but keep yearning for a new tomorrow, of inner peace.
Let us pray,
Father, Abba, thank You for your unconditional love of me, a child
who is a sinner. Yet in Your presence I am fine just the way You made
me for You don’t make junk. Father, thank You for the hope, the love,
inner peace You give unto each of your children daily. Amen
Peace
12/07/03 JWM
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