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Home For Christmas - Pt. 1 - Code #1 Series
Contributed by Steve Ely on Jan 16, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: Christmas is a special time of year! But do we know the code that could make Christmas feel like home rather than just a season?
Home For Christmas
Pt. 1 - Code #1
VIDEO
I. Introduction
In case you are unfamiliar with Buddy's story. Buddy, as an unwanted infant, was left in an orphanage. However, on a Christmas Eve night, Santa shows up to deliver presents in the orphanage and unnoticed by Santa, Buddy climbs out of his crib and into Santa's gift bag and ends up going home with Santa to the North Pole. When he is discovered by the elves, they name him Buddy because they mistake the brand name of his diaper as his name. Buddy is then raised by elves. He is totally oblivious to the fact that he is actually human until he fails miserably at every task in the workshop. Finally, Santa informs Buddy that he actually has a father in New York and the adventure begins. Still operating from the perspective of an elf, the movie chronicles Buddy's journey as he travels "home" to New York where he ultimately saves Christmas by continuing to live his life according to the tenants of the Elf Code he had learned at the North Pole. Over the next few weeks we are going to learn that code and see if it will help us help others get home for Christmas and see if it will also apply to how we live as well.
When the elves learn the code there is no mention that order matters. So, with permission from Buddy, I am going to change the order.
Elf Code 1 - The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
In essence, this portion of the code is addressing sharing the news of Christmas with those around you!
The spirit of this part of the code was captured in the classic Christmas Carol "Go Tell It on The Mountain!" It is the idea that the good news of Christ's birth is supposed to be broadcast far and wide.
However, when you stop and think about the actual account of Christ's birth it stands in direct contrast to this mentality. Christ is born. His parents are doing their best to stay off the grid so that a maniacal ruler, by the name of Herod, won't slaughter this baby to make sure He wasn't a threat to his rule and control over the land. Even though family members are informed, angel choirs accompany the delivery and wise men travel from afar the news of Jesus' birth isn't really broadcast far and wide. In fact, if you stop and think about it about you are really only talking about 11 people (Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zachariah, an inn keeper, 3 wise men, Simeon, Anna and Herod) that were even aware of Jesus' arrival. Every one of these character seemed to keep the news of Jesus' birth quiet - mom hides truths in heart, Joseph takes the family to Egypt, the inn keeper ignored, the wise men visited and went home while keeping the news to themselves, Ann and Simeon talk to the parents and that is it. We catch a brief glimpse of Him again at 12 and then He seems to fade into the background for 18 years.
Oh, wait there were at least 3 or 4 more that knew who understood the code. Scripture tells us that shepherds are informed about Jesus' arrival.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
The least important people are tasked with the most important message!
Shepherds. These lowly shepherds, the "less thans" in society, the dropouts, the underachievers, forgotten, tolerated, overlooked, and lower echelon. There is one small difference in the account of the shepherds. The Glory of the Lord is an added element. Remember Moses begged to see God's glory and he glowed for days. God actually hid him in the cleft of a rock and covered him with His hand when the glory passed by. But in the account of the shepherds they are treated to the glory of the Lord with no covering. It is interesting that the least get the most! The least are entrusted with the most.
