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!
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