This article was originally written for the December 24th edition of the Knoxville Journal Express.
Receive the Best Gift of All
The Christmas season is filled with joy and many
activities. Most people have family traditions that they enjoy each year such
as Christmas tree decorating, baking, holiday parties and family meals. Many of
us have traditions around gift giving.
When I was a child, we all gathered at my grandparents’
house on Christmas Eve. My grandma had presents for all of us which included
eight adults and eleven grandchildren. Once the presents were all passed out
then someone would give the OK and the kids would quickly tear into the
Christmas wrapping to see what gift we received. But my grandma would just sit
there with her pile of gifts on her lap, not opening a single one until the
rest of us were done. Grandma put a lot of thought into her gift buying, trying
to get the perfect gift and she enjoyed seeing our reaction as we opened our
gifts.
As we had children we began our own traditions. One of
which was a visit by a dear friend just a few days before Christmas. She would
come for the evening with gifts for our children. One year she gave them a copy
of her favorite Christmas movie, A
Charlie Brown Christmas. This year as we celebrate the 50th
Anniversary of Charles Schultz’s classic, I read a blog about a small detail
that many of us miss when we watch this delightful show.
It’s in the scene where Linus answers Charlie Brown’s
question of frustration, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all
about?” Linus, who is always shown carrying his blue security blanket, takes
center stage and recites Jesus’ birth story as told in the bible, Luke 2:8-14.
When Linus gets to the line “and the angel said ‘fear not’” he drops his
security blanket and finishes the monologue with both hands free, as he
proclaims the Good News of Jesus’ birth.
Fear is real and can be a stumbling block for receiving the
goodness that God offers. With recent terrorist attacks in California and
Paris, some fear for their or their family’s safety. Many people are dealing
with a loss of a loved one, a relationship or a job and fear what’s next or how
they will make it through another day. When we hold on to fear, we can’t
receive the gifts that God gives, namely the gift of God’s son, Jesus who came
to us as a baby born in Bethlehem.
Here in America, we are known to be some of the busiest
people in the world. We will often ask, “What can I do?” or “What should I be
doing now?” The gift that God gave in the birth of Jesus is freely given
through God’s grace and love. In faith all we need to do is drop our insecurities
and open our arms to receive the best gift of all. As Linus proclaimed “glory
to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men. That’s
what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”
I invite you to begin a new tradition or return to your
childhood tradition of worshiping on Christmas Eve where you’ll hear through
song, scripture and a faith community what Christmas is all about. Worship in
your faith tradition or join us at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1506 S.
Attica Rd., Knoxville at 5:00pm or 8:00pm. We will have special music, a
children’s message and candle lighting at both services. Merry Christmas and
may you receive and trust in the best gift ever given, the gift of Jesus.
Pastor Kristine Dohrmann
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
