Humbug to Hallelujah: Breaking the Chains

This is the beginning of Advent, and our focus will be the theme "HUMBUGS TO HALLELUJAHS." The word "HUMBUG" is associated with the Ebenezer Scrooge character in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.

Someone once identified four BIG December humbugs:

• spending too much
• family issues
• crowded schedules
• loneliness

Can you identify at least one of these humbugs that might be an issue for you?

The theme for the first week of Advent is "BREAKING THE CHAINS" - and we remember Scrooge's encounter by night with his long deceased old business partner - Jacob Marley. Marley had been financially successful, but this encounter showed Scrooge that he had missed out on the most important things. Marley was covered with a chain made of padlocks, ledgers and other tools of his trade. Note Marley's words:

I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.

Too often the chains we wear are the direct result of our own actions. Scripture makes that point well:

GALATIANS 6:7. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.

Read further from this passage (taken here from the translation The Message).


The beginning to breaking the chains is when we realize that it's not all about me. Let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing what is right. This December – instead of adding links to our chains – allow God to begin breaking those chains – link by link – through the power of his Spirit.

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...

What negative patterns have marked your past Christmas celebrations?

Describe the emotions connected to these recurring problems.

What advice do you think God might offer to improve matters?

Write down a specific action you can take this week to help remedy a problematic holiday situation.

The Advent Devotional Calendar offers suggestions for breaking Christmas chains forged in life, on pages 16–17. Copies are available from the church office, or you may order online.

Some more practical suggestions are listed at the bottom of the blog.

This poetic prayer - A Christmas Hostage, by Greg Asimakoupoulos - may be a helpful reflection:

Old habits hold me hostage in the closet of my heart.
And Jesus, you know what it is that's tearing me apart.
Some I know are helpless when it comes to lust or booze.
Others deal with gluttony or having a short fuse.
Ruts are my kidnapper. They've locked and barred the door.
And here I sit and cower, quite aware of what's in store.
I'm dying to be rescued and Lord, you keep the key.
Please free me from the hold old Christmas routines have on me.


Read the story of Zechariah in Luke 1:57-79.
As a result of his lack of belief, Zechariah had been without a voice throughout Elizabeth's pregnancy. When the child was born, however, Zechariah believed and obeyed God by naming the child John. And he got his voice back. Zechariah reminds us that faith in God breaks the chains.

Read the story of a biblical Scrooge character who never changed his ways in Matthew 2:1-18.

Herod, like Scrooge, was bound by the chains of wealth and power. He believed the world revolved around him. Like Scrooge, Herod had unexpected visitors who came to him one night with a message - three wise men. Unlike Scrooge, however, Hero'ds heart was closed, and he did not listen. Herod missed God's opportunity. History tells us that he died a hated man, despised by all who knew him.

MORE PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

• Make a special investment in the poor and needy in some tangible way, through a special offering or contribution, perhaps to our gift collection next Sunday.
• Ask God to remind you of someone who needs a special touch of love and encouragement. Write that person's name on a piece of paper and tape it to your bathroom mirror so you can pray for him or her each morning as you prepare for the day. Be sure to check up on that person a few times during December, to put action into your prayers. This daily prayer exercise will serve as a reminder that Christmas is not about you!