THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS
December 21, 2014
Ed Young
Christmas is a time when people everywhere gather to celebrate and remember what is truly important. It is a time to hope for what is ahead and to appreciate what we have been given. It truly is a magical time of year.
In this Christmas message, Pastor Ed Young helps us celebrate Christmas in a unique fashion. By reflecting on the story of the very first Christmas through the eyes of those who were there, we are reminded of the magic of Christmas and the power it has in all of our lives today!
Transcript
INTRO: Have you ever used a Post-It note, or a sticky note? Just think about the last time you did, because they have a presence that is ubiquitous. It was invented in an unusual way. It seemed mundane, but actually it became sort of miraculous because it made the 3M Corporation colossal amounts of cash. The Post-It is basically a square note with a section of adhesive that sticks from surface to surface. And we write words and sentences and pithy comments to remind ourselves and others of important things. A lot of people say that it changed the way businesses organize and communicate on a certain level.
I think it’s safe to say that Christmas is about a brilliant invention that on the surface appeared mundane, but actually was a miracle. And the amazing thing about this, the stunning thing about Christmas is, this invention can adhere to our lives. It’s all about the stickiness, isn’t it? God made sure that everyone was reminded of his intentions, of his plan, by posting sticky notes and Post-It notes all over the place.
I guess you could say the first 3M Corporation were the magi – the three magi that are mentioned in the Scriptural account of the birth of Jesus. There were probably more than three, but only three are mentioned. I think it’s worth noting that the nativity was not described that much. The reaction, though, of the people who saw it and heard about it and read those reminders, those Post-It Notes, is pretty detailed.
The miracle of Christ’s birth motivates a movement! Again, what appeared as mundane was actually a miracle. And this miracle motivated a movement.
The Post-It note was a reminder, and is a reminder, of something to do. Read this. Remember that. Pick up that.
The first Post-It note that God stuck in people’s lives was one that occurred in ancient Babylon. The Babylonian Post-It note. When the Jews were taken into Babylonian captivity they took with them the belief that a Messiah would arise on the scene of history. And some think a Jewish Babylonian official named Daniel read that Post-It note, believed it, wrote it down, and then the people living in Babylon picked it up and spread the news.
The Post-It note carried with it a story that would not die. And for centuries, the story was sticky. For centuries, it stuck to the lives of many. And then one day, three magi saw God’s Post-It note in the sky and followed it to the Christ child.
