A Special Post-Holiday Reflection

Our home church (also a long-time supporting church of this ministry) had a Christmas Eve service this year at 8:00 PM. In the past few years we had moved the program back several days since so many today seem unwilling to come out on that magical night. Perhaps it is just about gathering with family, or even just the general fatigue of getting to that point in what has become a hectic and demanding season in too many ways.

On the other side of the coin, having a service on that night is unique and special. Some would use the term “majestic”. It was taking a chance as we had no idea how many would venture out after our months of preparation and a major decoration effort. But we felt led to go this direction this year and were rewarded with a good attendance – one that surpassed our typical Sunday morning worship service.

Each year, in addition to the choir concert and an appropriate message, there is an attempt to add something unique to go along with the music and the message from the pastor who also directs the choir. This year it came in an unexpected way.

A few weeks before the holiday, our family had gathered to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” – perhaps the classic of all the seasonal shows. For those familiar with the now 45-year old cartoon, there is a part near the end when a very disillusioned and frustrated Charlie Brown yells out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” At that point, little Linus walks to center stage, calls for a spotlight and proceeds to quote Luke 2: 8-14.

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

He then turns to Charlie and says, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown”.

At that moment I got the idea of perhaps having a young boy in our church do just that as part of the pastor’s message that night. And I knew exactly who it would have to be. That idea evolved and eventually it would become part of the entire night’s message as he and the pastor would sit and discuss Christ’s coming and the real reason why He came – sin!

Those who heard were entertained, moved and impressed as 10-year old Anthony nailed his part like seasoned pro! Not only did he quote Luke 2 flawlessly, but after a discussion back and forth about sin with his pastor, he quoted John 3:16 and then actually prayed out loud for any who did not know Christ as Savior to receive Him as such. Again, he is just 10. It was a classic moment and only eternity will reveal the results!

But what many did not know was that this willing little servant got very sick the night before the service with a severe virus, which meant the entire performance and show was in jeopardy. He was the only sick one in the family? This is something that, to my dying day, I will believe was an attack of God’s adversary just as he tried to destroy the Christ child on multiple occasions even at the very start of the Lord’s life on earth in human flesh. But fervent prayer, God’s intervention, and Anthony’s solid determination won out. The message went clearly went forth and perhaps “a star was born.” It was also a little reminder of the words in Isaiah 11:6, “And a little child shall lead them.” It was a great night and you can hear the interaction between the pastor and his little actor buddy here.

In 2,000 years not much has changed. God’s enemy will do anything he can to disrupt the communication of the good news of Christ’s coming and dying – communicated by a song the choir sang called, “Cradle In The Shadow of A Cross”. But with all of his brutal attempts, the good news of salvation still goes forth and any who will open their hearts to the call of God’s Holy Spirit will be saved. This is true whether those words come from a seasoned pastor, a young child of God who is bold enough to share his faith, or both together in a very special moment.

It was a wonderful night and memory. But more importantly, it was a reminder of the simplicity of the good news that Christ came to die for sinners and that the most profound message known to man can be communicated by a young child and clearly understood by anyone who recognizes their need of the child who lay in a manger while awaiting His future task upon the cross. This reality is boldly proclaimed in my favorite verse.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19)

Bill Breckenridge