A Pure Gift
Sermon
Here Comes The King
Sermons And Children's Lessons For Advent, Christmas And Epiphany
Minnesota has one of the five largest state fairs held anywhere, and annually, in this county. The state fairgrounds are as large as many small cities, and there are many permanent buildings on the site. Some of them are used throughout the year to host horse shows, ice skating and jogging, antique car shows, various other exhibitions and part of the state ice hockey tournament. One section has to be imported and assembled every year and is known as The Midway. The rides and games of chance are located in this area, which is some distance from the main gates. Young people, of course, flock to the midway to ride on the various attractions and to test their skill at throwing objects at balloons, bottles and other targets. One sees numerous young people carrying stuffed animals of all sizes which they have won.
Last summer, a man (from Mankato, Minnesota, named James H. Rademacher) saw an unusual incident happen at one of the games of chance. A young boy in a wheelchair was trying to throw a ball at three stacked bottles. He couldn't hold the ball very well and he didn't throw very well; he missed the bottles. His throw landed "in the area of the bottles but not close enough to knock any of the bottles over." He thought that was all he had to do - throw the ball to win a prize - because he "then pointed to a large, stuffed Kermit the Frog." He had not won the frog and hadn't really even come close to winning it. But the "attendant then looked over to his boss, the man nodded yes and the large frog was put on the little boy's lap." Mr. Rademacher says, "The little boy cried in joy, and I felt like joining him."
That's what Christmas is all about - God giving us a gift which we don't deserve, can't buy, or can't win by anything we do. Jesus is God's gift to us at Christmas, because he loves us, and loves us enough to give us a baby who is the most precious thing we can have. (Reported in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 1992.)
(Mr. Rademacher also wrote: "As we were leaving the fair, four black teenage boys were in front of us. A young white couple and their toddler were next to them. At the exit gate one of the young men turned to the little girl and, without a word, handed her a huge stuffed rabbit." He adds, "These days most of the news is depressing. I thought reading about my experiences might make someone feel good. I'm going to go to the fair again next year, but maybe I'll skip a few of those foot-longs [hot dogs].")
Last summer, a man (from Mankato, Minnesota, named James H. Rademacher) saw an unusual incident happen at one of the games of chance. A young boy in a wheelchair was trying to throw a ball at three stacked bottles. He couldn't hold the ball very well and he didn't throw very well; he missed the bottles. His throw landed "in the area of the bottles but not close enough to knock any of the bottles over." He thought that was all he had to do - throw the ball to win a prize - because he "then pointed to a large, stuffed Kermit the Frog." He had not won the frog and hadn't really even come close to winning it. But the "attendant then looked over to his boss, the man nodded yes and the large frog was put on the little boy's lap." Mr. Rademacher says, "The little boy cried in joy, and I felt like joining him."
That's what Christmas is all about - God giving us a gift which we don't deserve, can't buy, or can't win by anything we do. Jesus is God's gift to us at Christmas, because he loves us, and loves us enough to give us a baby who is the most precious thing we can have. (Reported in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 1992.)
(Mr. Rademacher also wrote: "As we were leaving the fair, four black teenage boys were in front of us. A young white couple and their toddler were next to them. At the exit gate one of the young men turned to the little girl and, without a word, handed her a huge stuffed rabbit." He adds, "These days most of the news is depressing. I thought reading about my experiences might make someone feel good. I'm going to go to the fair again next year, but maybe I'll skip a few of those foot-longs [hot dogs].")
