July 20, 2022
This Sunday, July 24, is the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost.
This week’s sermon is
This week’s readings are:
Message: Father Christmas
I.
Narnia’s Father Christmas is very different from
Santa Claus!
A.
“He was a huge man in a bright red robe (bright
as holly-berries) with a hood that had fur inside it and a great white beard
that fell like a foamy waterfall over his chest. … Some of the pictures of
Father Christmas in our world make him look only funny and jolly. But now that
the children actually stood looking at him they didn’t find it quite like that.
He was so big, and so glad, and so real, that they all became quite still. They
felt very glad, but also solemn.”
B.
There are some interesting thoughts about how we
might observe Christmas here.
i.
The mix of celebration and solemnity.
ii.
Recognizing the conflict from the savior’s
servant entering a hostile world.
iii.
Enjoying the good things of this world as part
of our Christian faith.
II.
Father Christmas gives gifts.
A.
Peter received a sword and shield.
B.
Susan received a bow, quiver of arrows, and a
magic horn that will bring help in need.
C.
Lucy received a dagger, and a bottle filled with
a cordial that will heal people.
D.
A feast for the children and the Beavers.
III.
Father Christmas differentiates between male and
female.
A.
After giving weapons to all three, he tells
Susan and Lucy, “I do not intend for you to be in the battle,” having
previously told Peter that the time to use his weapons was “perhaps near at
hand.”
B.
Was Lewis sexist? No, although some have claimed
he was.
C.
He lived in a time of different sensibilities
around gender roles.
D.
We, however, live in a time that seeks to erase
the differences between male and female.
i.
Some of this is resistance to silly stereotypes.
ii.
Some of this is evil and, frankly, a demonic rejection
of our Creator.
E.
We do well to remember Genesis 1:27-31 when God
made humanity male and female and it was good.
IV.
Courage is needed by all who attempt to “follow
Jesus!”
A.
The children serve as models of different kinds
of courage.
i.
Peter - Warrior/King
ii.
Susan - Matriarch/Mother
iii.
Lucy - Healer
iv.
Edmund - Judge – mercy
V.
The Holy Spirit gives all believers spiritual gifts.
A.
These gifts are largely used for the sake of
God’s kingdom as we use them to serve our neighbors.
B.
However, the most important spiritual gift is
faith in Jesus!
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