“God bless us, everyone!” is the toast given by Tiny Tim at the conclusion of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
How many versions of this story have we read, or presentations and movies have we watched over the years? Of all the
times I have seen this story presented, I cannot recall one that did not include this toast at the end. It is such a refreshing
and uplifting note after a story that was full of such intense emotion.
We love this classic piece of literature with its vivid descriptions of people and places, its character development, the
social issues it confronts, and the seasonal setting. We are even willing to face the turning of the tables as we are forced
to consider our ways and the impact of the way we treat others each Christmas as we engage with this story.
Underlying this toast and happy finish to a story, lies a deeper question. Why should God bless us? Should God have
blessed Ebenezer Scrooge because he changed his ways and was nice to people and now generous instead of being a
selfish, nasty guy? Has he, and have we, earned God’s favour by what we have done for others? It is true that our
external behaviours reveal our internal conditions, but at times we can also use what we do on the outside to mask or
hide what is really going on deep down. We need to consider our hearts carefully in this.
I think this issue around asking for God’s blessing is rooted in what we are celebrating and what we are hoping for.
Certainly, we ask God to bless us. We ask Him to bless us with His forgiveness and favour, with His presence and
provision as we celebrate this Christmas and look ahead to the new year. But as Dickens’ story goes, Scrooge (and
others) praises Christmas itself as a season and occasion of giving and good feelings. He praises Christmas, not Christ.
Many of us do as well.
It is easy for us to approach this season with excitement over a holiday, a dinner, family time and an opportunity to
step away from our daily challenges and be happy together. But as we do, are we praising Christmas or Christ? The focus
of this day and all that it should point to is Jesus Himself.
Matthew 1 verses 21 and 23 tell us that Jesus was given His name because it means “the LORD saves”. He was called
Emmanuel because He is “God with us”. When the shepherds came to see the baby in the manger, they did so in
response to the angel’s message that this child was the Saviour who is Christ, the Lord (Luke 2:11). The shepherds
responded by going to meet Him themselves and telling everyone they met about all that the angels had said. They were
focused on this Saviour who is Christ (Messiah) the Lord, not on learning a catchy new song presented by an angelic
choir.
The magi came from the east, a long and difficult journey, to worship him. They brought gifts of such significance and
so rich in symbolism – possibly beyond their own understanding. They came to worship Jesus, not celebrate some time
off, a long trip, and a shopping excursion. Their focus was to praise Christ, not merely Christmas.
Now, back to the issue of blessing. God sent Jesus to us and for us because of His love for us. In mercy and grace, He
sent His Son to be our Saviour, to rescue us from the consequences of our rebellion against the Almighty (John 3:16, 17).
This is who and what we celebrate. Our rescue, God’s blessing offered to us. What an amazing and joyful thing this is.
I love Christmas as much as the next guy, but here is the challenge to my heart and yours this Christmas: engage with
others but go deeper and encounter the Saviour; enjoy Christmas but go further and embrace Christ; celebrate this
season but be sure to worship the Lord. Praise Christ and not merely Christmas.
Surely in Christ, God has blessed us, everyone.