Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church of Frankentrost

Saginaw, Michigan

Pastor Mark A. Loest

“Holiday Anxiety vs. Christmas Peace”

12-23-2007 audio

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV) 

Anxious before the holidays? The holidays are about a lot of things, but they most certainly are not intended to add to our already stressed lives.

But for a lot of people they do! Parents have been worrying about their son and his family driving home to Michigan from Alaska, a trip that takes days instead of hours!

A father and children go out to cut down a Christmas tree and are caught in a blizzard and are nearly buried and frozen alive.

Workers wonder who will own their factory in the coming new year.

And family members wait for some improvement in their loved one’s health—already hospitalized so long; while others are mourn because of a death close to Christmas. 

That people would be anxious at Christmas in situations such as I just described does seem somewhat reasonable. But contrast them with what most people face and fret about at this time of the year, and much of what is holiday anxiety really is trivial.

Presents not yet purchased. Cards neither signed, nor addressed, nor mailed. Baking that remains undone. The house is a mess for expected—or even unexpected company. Limited funds in the check book or available on the plastic. Extended traveling from or to home. Loneliness—sadness—brought on by memories and absent loved ones. This time of the year can be hard. 

And in the midst of it all the Apostle Paul writes, “Rejoice!” But surely, his words don’t apply to the first twenty three days of December! Rejoice? Sure, on Christmas Day! When everything is done, and the presents are unwrapped and all fit, and the meal is served and was delicious and hot, and Christmas is over.

But Paul repeats himself right here in Philippians chapter 4, as if to say, “No, I said rejoice, and I mean rejoice!…in everything.” Amidst the chaos and confusion.  Amidst the work and frustration. Despite the worries and disappointment. Even when it doesn’t feel like Christmas at all. 

And what’s more, Paul wants you not to be crabby! For the Apostle also says here, “be reasonable.” Now, you would think that a certain amount of unreasonableness is to be expected. There’s a little Ebenezer Scrooge and Grinch in all of us. Incessant bell ringers annoy us—at the stores, with kettles! The extra traffic tries our patience. Longer lines are irritating. We end up having to deal with people we don’t really like, like a family member or someone in the community or church. Bah—humbug! 

But, bah—humbug! is exactly what the Holy Spirit wants us to get over. The bah—humbug! of our hearts. And he says the way to come out of it is by the Word of Christ. “First,” Paul says, “pray,” “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” So, whatever it is that might be bothering you: bring it to God in prayer and do it with thanksgiving.

Zachariah was told his wife in old age would have a son—John the Baptizer. He argued with the angel Gabriel and God saw in his heart that he doubted and didn’t believe. He was struck dumb and unable to speak until the boy was named John.

If you are one of theose who insist that you don’t know what to say in prayer—you don’t know how to pray—then look in your life and confess your doubting and unbelief. The Holy Spirit prays for you. (Romans 8)

In contrast: When the Virgin Mary heard she was to have the baby Jesus, she wondered how it was to be. The angel told her that it was by the power of God the Holy Spirit. “For nothing is impossible with God.”Mary believed and said, “may it be so with me.”

She prayed the Magnificat with thanksgiving.

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)  

Joseph prayed in his heart what it was God’s will for him to do. For that certainly is the meaning of the words that he was a righteous man. He was told to take Mary as his wife and not be afraid. He did and wasn’t. 

And finally, we are promised that in faith in Christ Jesus we will find peace that surpasses human understanding. We recognize these words as those spoken by the pastor after the sermon. That’s because true peace is found only in Christ and in His Word. Christ’s Word is our keeper and guard against all temptation, sadness, and most importantly, our sins.

His Word of forgiveness encourages us in every situation, for it reminds us, “that for those who love God all things work together for good.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)

And , “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

This word alone comforts us in all nervousness, concerns, amidst worries and uneasiness, takes away all apprehension and fretfulness, gives rest and drives away fears. What could be better two days before Christmas? 

And what will follow after Christmas? Returns? Re-gifting? Re-financing? Regrets? or, Real Peace from the Redeemer?

We are told that the famous German doctor and theologian Albert Schweitzer said he did not like to get presents because he didn’t like writing out “thank you’s.” Now, perhaps all he ever got were “Chia pets” and “The Clapper” for Christmas, in which case I wouldn’t necessarily disagree—but who doesn’t like getting presents? And “thank you” is not that hard to say or express in comparison to a gift.

But many people are like that with God and his gift Jesus Christ. They’re afraid of whatever strings there are that might be attached and that it means more work and commitment on their part. But God gave the baby Jesus without any strings attached. And He invites us to be drawn into His life giving love and forgiveness that is ours by his grace and mercy to us.

May joyful anticipation of the days ahead bring us to the Lord’s House to hear his Word and receive it with joy.May He bless each of us with confidence that drives out any anxiousness and worry, especially concerning our sin, as well as any doubts and unbelief. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen