A Christmas Classic that Almost Wasn't

Love Letters from the Abeggs:   "…to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: may mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." (Jude 1:1) The Christmas Classic  That Almost Wasn't "When Schultz, a Sunday school teacher, said Linus should recite from the gospel of Luke, Mendelson and Melendez protested. "We looked at each other and said, 'well there goes the careers right down the drain…''" "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is part of the Abegg Family holiday tradition, along with other classics such as "It's a Wonderful Life," "White Christmas," and "Meet John Doe," as well as those in a different category such as "Elf" and "Die Hard 1 & 2." If you have a moment, though, I highly recommend you read the article "How A Charlie Brown Christmas Almost Wasn't." This classic Christmas tradition has withstood the test of 60 turbulent years since its airing on December 9, 1965, and includes a word-for-word proclamation of Christ's birth from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2 thanks to the tenacity of Peanut's creator Charles Shultz.  Enjoy the read, and I pray you're encouraged this Christmas to give thanks to God in all things, but in particular for the biggest gift you could ever receive… God Himself in the form of Christ.  There are many ways to access "It's Christmas Charlie Brown", but if you don't mind watching it in sections, it's available on YouTube at the link above.  Join our Team Prayer Team: Reply to this Email to let us know you're praying for us,  and let us know how we can be praying for you.  Financial Support Team: To join or learn more, visit: Abegg Missionary Support Page Donate via US Mail:  Send a check with an accompanying note stating:  "For the Abegg Family"  to 205 Regency Executive Park Dr. Suite 430, Charlotte, NC 28217 Give Via Phone:  Dial (704) 357-3355 and talk to a very helpful person.

Advent...

Over the years, our family has cherished the tradition of Advent readings as a daily reminder and a meaningful preparation for celebrating Christ's birth. It's all too easy to be swept away by the busyness of the season: gatherings, shopping for gifts, events, and countless activities that, while part of our Christmas celebration, can often blur our focus on the miracle of God becoming man to redeem us and reconcile us to Himself. 

When Jeremy and Nico were little, these evening Advent devotionals were… let's just say "chaotic" would be a fitting word.  The focal point for them was who would get to light the advent candle—well, to be honest, it was really all about who got to wield the lighter. There's just something about fire that makes little boys (and big boys) lose their minds. Admittedly, on many of these evenings, I wondered if any of the devotional readings got through at all. 

Now, years later, I see that by God's grace, much of it did, and Claudia and I rejoice in how both have matured into young men who deeply value Advent and the profound meaning of Christ's incarnation. They each have their own unique way of expressing gratitude centered on the meaning and celebration of Christmas, even 3,000 miles from home. They've grown to have a personally deep value for God's Word, the practices of the Early Church, the writings of our Church Fathers, and how our Lord still calls us to use our unique gifts and "make disciples of all nations" in the world we live today.  Still, all those years ago, amidst the wiggles, corrections, poking, and even setting fire to the wreath instead of the candles, we had our concerns. 

These days Claudia and I find our advent readings a little quieter. Often, they take place in bed along with our evening prayers before turning in for the night. Yet even with this simpler rhythm, these moments continue to draw our hearts toward the ultimate reason we celebrate—God's gift of Himself in the form of a tiny baby. The Incarnation, the Son of God taking on flesh, is the center of it all.

This reading from a few days ago stood out to me:

"He was poor that He might make us rich. He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God. He took our flesh that He might give us His Spirit. He lay in the manger that we might lie in paradise. He came down from heaven, that he might bring us to heaven… that the Ancient of Days should be born, -that he who thunders in the heavens, should cry in the cradle…that a virgin should conceive,  -that Christ should be made of a woman, and of that woman which himself made, that the mother should be younger than the child she bore, and the child in the womb bigger than the mother, -that the human nature should not be God, yet one with God: this was not only amazing but miraculous." -Thomas Watson as quoted in "O Come, O Come Emmanuel -A liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to epiphany" by John Gibson. 

Whether you have little children and devotionals dissolve into chaos, you have an empty nest, or you're awaiting God's provision in a spouse—whatever season your life is in right now, don't let the celebration of Christ's birth be diluted by the wrappings and trappings of the season. Take time, each day, and remind yourself of what He's done—and how that gives eternal meaning and purpose to whatever season of life you find yourself in right now.

I pray that the hope and promise of Christ's cradle and cross will be an encouragement for you to pause and praise the Ancient of Days as we celebrate His birth with one another this season. 

God bless!

Postscript:

Here are a few Advent devotional recommendations we've loved over the years: 

• Families with young children: 
• Christ in Christmas A Family Advent Celebration by Dobson, Swindoll, Montgomery Boice & Sproul (available in print on Amazon).
• Families with teens and older: 
• The Dawn of Redeeming Grace by Sinclair Ferguson (available on Amazon in print, Kindle, and audio).
• The Dawning of Indestructible Joy Daily Readings for Advent (24 short devotionals) by John Piper (available on Amazon in print, Kindle, and audio).
• The Advent of Glory (24 medium-sized devotionals) by RC Sproul (available on Amazon in print, Kindle, and audio).
• Classic OT & NT Liturgy with broad readings, prayer & reflections for daily worship: 
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to Epiphany compiled by Jonathan Gibson (available on Amazon in print, Kindle, and audio).
• The Coming of the Son -A Trinitarian Advent Reader With Reflections Grom Those Who Have Gone Before edited by Jonathan Hunter. (Free PDF download w/ link).

In His Hands / En Sus manos;
Kevin S. Abegg

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