I have said it many times that Thanksgiving and Christmas is my favorite time of year. You are probably tired of me saying it. With that in mind, how many times have we heard the Christmas story? Most reading this could in a moment’s notice share the story of Christmas. We have heard enough sermons and prayed enough prayers that our hearts have become calloused so that the true meaning of Christmas no longer penetrates our lives to make a difference in our world.

I read a story the other day about the billionaire magazine tycoon Charlie Munger. He shared a fascinating story about Max Planck, a scientist awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for his work in the field of quantum mechanics. In 1918, as part of Max’s tour in Germany, he would go to wherever he was invited and he would give the same lecture over and over again. It came to a point where Max’s chauffeur told him that it must be boring giving the same lecture over and over again. I believe I could give your speech. The chauffeur volunteered himself to give the lecture on Max’s behalf, since the chauffeur had already memorized the lecture by heart. Max enjoyed the idea and actually agreed to it! That night in Munich, the chauffeur got up and gave a long lecture about quantum mechanics with Max sitting down in the front row donning a chauffeur cap alongside a room full of distinguished academics. After the speech was given a physics professor got up and asked a question and of course the chauffeur couldn’t answer it. The chauffeur then replied saying: “Never would I have thought that someone from such an advanced city as Munich would ask such a simple question! My chauffeur will answer it.”

How many times have we heard the Christmas story? It has become so familiar. Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, Joseph’s obedience, visits by angels, Ceasar’s decree and tax, the trip to Bethlehem and Jesus born in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

We’ve heard it many times. May the Holy Spirit refresh us with the true meaning of Christmas. John 3:16 tells us why we celebrate Christmas. ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ This is the story to go and tell. Tell it to a world that is confused and a world that has no hope or peace.

As a Great Commission Movement with the Great Commandment as our mandate we are to share the wonderful, powerful story of Christmas (and not just at Christmas) wherever we go. Transformation can take place as we tell this true story in our communities. Community Transformation will take place as we unite together and Go and Tell. There is so many hurting during this time of year. They don’t believe they have anything to be thankful for and Christmas has no meaning in their hopeless world. C.S. Lewis said that we don’t need to be told new ideas so much as we need to be reminded of old truths. May we reach out and share the hope and peace of Christmas to a lost world. I love the story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and how he came to write the Christmas hymn “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1861. The Civil War broke out that same year and he felt it was additional punishment. Two years later in 1863 Longfellow was again saddened to hear his son had been seriously wounded as a lieutenant in the Army at Potomac. Sitting down at his desk that Christmas Day, he heard the church bells ringing and ringing. It was in this setting he wrote one of my favorite Christmas hymns.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Till, ringing, singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807–1882
Music: John Baptiste Calkin, 1827–1905

This Christmas we have the privilege of sharing the Good News. Whether in sorrow or joy we can share that God is not dead nor is He asleep. He knows our every need and longs to come to each one and meet those needs in the Spirit of Christmas. Let us share to our communities and our churches to seek Him instead of outward manifestations and present the true meaning of the season. Praise the Lord He will give life real meaning and give hearts real peace, the peace that passes all understanding.