"Then he said to them: ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven…" (Luke 21:10-11)
The text for Sunday comes from the 21st chapter of Luke where Jesus talks about the signs of the end of the age. Really upbeat and happy stuff 😉 … (especially the text I started with today). But I do have a point so hang on a second.
As I was pondering this text I started thinking about Christmas…Yup that’s right…Christmas. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving – the unofficial start of the Christmas season (or as far as I am concerned…THE official start of the Christmas season). For the past couple months I have been wanting to shout out at the likes of Wal-Mart and Target for putting out Christmas stuff already and playing Christmas music. "Christmas hasn’t started yet!!!" But of course no one would listen to me. But once Thanksgiving is here…watch out.
For many people this means the "unofficial" start of Christmas shopping (even though my wife has been Christmas shopping for months now). For my wife and I Thanksgiving weekend means putting up the Christmas tree, decorating the house and loading the CD player with Christmas CDs. It means starting to plan for our holiday open house, thinking hard about Advent and pulling out my Santa hat. Thanksgiving weekend is a HUGE sign for me and for many people that Christmas is coming.
But the problem comes in when we focus too much on the signs and not enough on what the signs are pointing to. We focus too much on finding the perfect gift, planning the perfect Christmas party, planning the family gathering at grandma’s house, and running the kids to Christmas program practices. Many people experience stress, depression and maybe even anxiety. The signs of Christmas are there, but what are the signs pointing to: The coming of the Christ Child. God’s love in the form of a little baby. God coming to live among us. God hearing the cry of creation. Thanksgiving weekend is more than a sign to begin preparations, it "unofficially" points us to the greatest gift of all…JESUS CHRIST.
"All people will hate you because of me. But not a hair on your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life." (Luke 21:17-18)
After all those signs Jesus tells the disciples about…in the end is life everlasting. Our thoughts, words and actions should be focused on that. Our LIVES should be focused on that. People have been saying for centuries that the signs of the end are here so repent and believe. That is fine and dandy, but focus not on the signs but on the gift of life we have in Christ; the love of God and eternal life. As for me signs can come and go, but I will life for Christ and see that as many people as possible know Him.
Begin, continue or whatever, your preparations. But know this…Christ is coming and that is GOOD NEWS. Let’s celebrate THAT!
Praise be to God and Amen!
-edh-
The Heart of a Pastor 
I’m looking forward to this sermon. Don’t wait too long to post it.
The local Walmart puts out their Christmas stuff aroung Labor Day and it makes me sick. My wife and I have the same philosophy as you folks in that, Thanksgiving is the day (after the meal mind you) to begin with the decor and music.
We’re adamant in our household that the Christmas season does not begin until the first Sunday of Advent. Still, like you said, it’s what the “signs” point to that is important.
We are “Adventists.” No decorating at all until Advent 1 when the Advent wreath comes out. We use the season of Advent to bring things out over time and have turned it into a family tradition. Until then, my latest post is in response to a local radio rant about the right to start Christmas whenever we want.
Carolyn – I just read your post and thought it was sad that those decorations got stolen. But you are right, we have the right to celebrate Christmas whenever we want. Actually, at the Bible camp where I serve on the Program Committee, we are having a Christmas week in July next summer. That will be strange/fun/weird all at the same time. But I am still looking forward to it.
Art – Amen! And if we focus on what those signs point to then celebrating Christmas year around is definitely O.K. .. but in my mind and family we will start after thanksgiving 🙂