Close Menu X
Navigate

No Shortcuts to Christmas

                                                        No Shortcuts to Christmas 

           When our children were growing up, there was a priceless event that took place one Christmas 

– to this day it brings laughter whenever my wife and I mention it. My wife had given clear 

instructions to the kids about one month before Christmas that no one was to open anything delivered 

by the mail or parcel services that come to our house. As Jonathan’s parents, we were notified that he 

was about to be inducted into Who’s Who Among American High School Students. And as is the 

American way, we were hit with some marketing. We were told for a certain price we could get a 

fancy mug reflecting Jonathan’s newly acquired status. Mom kept looking for deliveries, but none 

came. One day as she was in Jonathan’s room, she noticed the mug displayed on top of his chest of 

drawers. Without correcting or addressing the subject, she took his mug, wrapped it up and placed it 

(unbeknownst to Jonathan) under the Christmas tree for original intent – Christmas. Jonathan did not 

say anything about it; he knew he was not supposed to open anything that came to the house. Perhaps 

he thought, “Wow! I got away with it.” 

           As was our custom on Christmas Eve, the kids were allowed to pick out one present from 

under the tree and open it, keeping the rest for Christmas morning. Jonathan, of all our kids, was the 

most impetuous and impatient. He kept bugging us, “Come on, let’s pick out a present; let’s open 

one,” as he coaxed us and cajoled his siblings to join him in the badgering. Finally, the kids gathered 

around the tree, each one picking a present. Jonathan, to assure himself he was really picking a 

winner, kept pondering over which one to choose. I must add, he was also the “sneaky” one of the 

bunch, who would search our room, look in closets and when under the tree would shake his presents 

when he thought no one was looking and it was not unusual to see one portion of his presents slightly 

disheveled due to lifting up the edges in an attempted inspection. 

           With beaming eyes and big smile Jonathan unwrapped his one and only Christmas Eve present 

only to find to his mortification, his fancy mug. He held it high above his head and wailed his cry that 

I often called his “Lucy” cry (because it sounded strangely like Lucille Ball when she was in distress.) 

In whining frustration he said, “Wait a minute! This is not fair; I already knew about this gift. Let me 

open another one!” We said, “Jonathan, you would not have known about this gift had you obeyed 

and not opened the mail, as you were told.” As much as he begged and pleaded, we didn’t give an 

inch. He had to wait until Christmas morning to get the surprises. Jonathan learned a hard lesson that 

day - there is no shortcut to Christmas. 

           A great ingredient to Christmas fun is the anticipation approaching Christmas. We may know 

some and we might know most of what we’ll be getting for Christmas, but it’s that anticipation of 

something we just don’t know for sure or the complete surprise that brings out the wows! the yesss! or 

the whoopee! What does it take to keep the whoopee in Christmas? Basically, it is patience. The Bible 

says, “For ye have need of patience..” (Hebrews 10:36). This is one reason we feel a let down after 

Christmas – we don’t have anything else to look forward to. That’s why we should have goals 

throughout our year that we are willing to wait until the ripening moment comes to enjoy. Then we 

may, with excitement, go on to the next goal. In the same way there are no shortcuts to Christmas, 

there are no shortcuts to the things that really matter in life. If we break the rules and rush, we often 

miss the Christmas magic of the moment. Let me give you three Christmases to contemplate: 

1. The Christmas of Moral Discipline 

           We live in a world that encourages everyone and especially our youth to open our presents 

early. The world tells us, don’t wait until you are properly promoted; lie or cheat to get where you 

want to go. Nine years ago this month college football was traumatized by the sudden resignation of 

Notre Dame’s Head Coach, George O’Leary. As a struggling young husband and father full of 

ambition, O’Leary padded his biography by saying things such as having received degrees he never 

received. He went on to accomplish much in the history of football coaching. But in the very pinnacle 

of his success, when it was discovered that he lied to get to where he was going, was coerced under 

pressure, resign. The agony is heard in the closing statement of his resignation: "I pray that my 

experiences will simply be yet another coaching lesson to the youth of this country that we are all 

accountable for our actions and there can be no double standard. I appreciate the courtesy and 

consideration extended to me by the University of Notre Dame." For this otherwise charming leader 

among men, we learn the valuable lesson. If we break the moral rules – Christmas is over. 

           This application is also made in the matter of sexual discipline. It is not wrong to have sexual 

drive, but it is wrong when sex drives you. Many a person’s impeccable life caves in at the time of 

compromise. The flesh will tell you go ahead and be satisfied now. God says wait: “For this is the 

will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (I Thessalonians 4:3). 

The Devil never tells you how embarrassing it will be when your young spouse-to- be asks you, “Did 

you keep yourself for me?” The world never tells you of the lifetime problems of sexually transmitted 

diseases. And as you begin to buy your prescriptions of medicine with funds that could have 

purchased so many other things, you come to the realization...Christmas is over. 

2. The Christmas of Work’s Reward 

           The Bible says, “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great 

waster” (Proverbs 18:9). A lazy man is looking for a shortcut to success. He wants to get his heart’s 

desire without working to get it. In trying to find the shortcut, he wastes time, energy and life itself. 

Paul made this dogmatic statement: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that 

if any would not work, neither should he eat” (II Thessalonians 3:10). Solomon said, “He that tilleth 

his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding” (Proverbs 12:11). If we work hard, we benefit. If we goof off and follow losers, will not eat the bread of satisfaction. 

           Although I do not know the full extent as to why American business has gotten into the trouble 

they are in, I know this much: many a man and woman who could have lived very comfortably by just 

playing by the rules of honesty, integrity and the golden rule forfeited everything because of greed. 

Just yesterday the news carried the story of one businessman who, through greedy practice, took four 

hundred million dollars from one source alone. Henry Ford was asked, “How much money would it 

take to make you happy?” His reply is a classic and revelatory of the human heart, “Just a little more.” 

Many a tycoon and big business that did not play by the rules and patiently wait their turn, even as we 

approach December 25th are discovering that Christmas is over before it began. Here is a promise: 

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before 

mean (obscure or unknown) men” (Proverbs 22:29). A hard working man has Christmas throughout 

his year. Even in the setbacks beyond his control, he at least has the peace of mind that he did his best. 

3. The Christmas of Christ’s Coming! 

           Scripture that says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made 

of a woman, made under the law” (Galatians 4:4). God waited for at least four thousand years after 

Adam sinned to send the remedy for man’s fall. The earth went through the flood. The earth suffered 

through the reigns of Babylon, Persia, Greece and finally Rome. Then when Christ came, many who 

were looking for Him wanted the overthrow of Rome and the establishment of a physical kingdom on 

earth. They were angered and upset that Jesus came to give peace in the sinful human heart first. 

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world...” (John 18:36). 

           For those who believe on Jesus, Christmas is just beginning. Although He had no room in the 

inn, He will gladly come into your heart through faith. And now we wait for the Prince of Peace to 

return as King of Kings! One day it will be Christmas for the world. Don’t be anxious, “Be patient 

therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious 

fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain” (James 5:7). 

Christ comes the first and second time on His terms, not ours; in His way, not our way. I say, Merry 

Christmas, even so come Lord Jesus!