Christmas is more than a day of the year. For Christians, it’s a month long season of sharing the joy of God incarnated as a baby boy in Bethlehem of Judea. But for many, it becomes a time of grumbling and complaining. Retailers both love and hate Christmas. They love it because sales are up. They hate it because so many people complain. Is Christmas a season of joy or are you a complainer? Is it possible to be a joyful person rather than a complainer? Two people in the Bible experienced such a change of heart and attitude.
Good Christian Men Rejoice
A well known Christmas hymn is Good Christian Men Rejoice. In the song we sing of a mission of joy. It reminds me of an ancient relationship between Philemon, a slave holder converted to Christianity, and his slave Onesimus who stole from him, was also converted, and returns to his master. God’s grace transformed both men and encouraged by the Apostle Paul they united in joy as brothers in Christ (Philemon 4-7)
The song Good Christian Men Rejoice is a German medieval carol dating from the fourteenth century. The author is unknown. The original text was written half in Latin and half in German. The Scottish poet John Wedderburn translated it into English in 1853. He later was forced to flee to Wittenberg after being accused of heresy by the Roman Catholic Church. The melody is an old German folk tune also dating from the fourteenth century.
This old Christmas carol calls people to rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a song filled with the good news of Jesus’ birth. His coming opened the door of heaven to all who believe. His birth, life, ministry, and death made a way for sinners to find the key to heaven. The song calls all to an everlasting hall (heaven), where God offers a great banquet to celebrate the saving work of His Son. Both the tune and words stimulate joy because Jesus Christ was born to save.
The Bible Letter to Philemon
Centuries earlier, Paul penned a letter to a slaveholder named Philemon. That letter is part of our Scriptures. Philemon owned a slave named Onesimus who stole from him, ran away, and was in hiding in Rome. Authorities eventually caught him and he ended up in a Roman prison. But as providence would have it, while awaiting trial, he encountered the apostle Paul, also incarcerated in the same jail.
During their time together in prison, Paul wrote a letter to the Church in Colossi encouraging them that, with Christ as God’s firstborn son, they possessed all the riches of God in Christ. Their old selves were transforming into something new. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:1-4 ESV). He goes on to call them to put to death their earthly nature and to clothe themselves with the character of Christ (vs 5, 12).
Philemon’s Faith Grows
Philemon was a recent convert who hosted the Colossi Church in his home. The grace of the gospel transformed him. Onesimus was converted through Paul’s prison ministry. Soon, Onesimus was released and Paul encouraged him to return home to Philemon carrying a letter asking Philemon to forgive his wayward behavior. His servant was now a fellow brother in Christ. Onesimus’ standing before God changed everything, including how Philemon was to treat him when he returned to Colossi.
Philemon was a good Christian man, but Onesimus was a recovering thief. Paul wrote to Philemon saying, “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (Philem 4-7 ESV). Philemon grew in faith to the point that he developed the ability to refresh other believers in the Church. He generated joy in the hearts of those who knew him. Could his transformation be instrumental in restoring Onesimus?
The Restoration of Philemon and Onesimus
Under Roman law, if a slave stole from his master he could be punished with death. If Onesimus returned to Colossi he would have to deal with a death warrant hanging over his head. After Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians, he included a brief personal letter to his friend Philemon. Paul reminded Philemon that he was a good Christian man who was forgiven and now experienced the fullness of joy in Christ. He asked Philemon to extend that joy by sparing Onesimus’ life since Onesimus was now his brother in Christ. Paul even offered to pay for whatever Onesimus stole (vs 18).
Paul appealed to Philemon on the grounds that his life was transformed into someone filled with rejoicing. He heard the good news, which filled his heart with joy and peace as the carol exclaims. And now, Onesimus had also experienced the same joy, and became more than a slave—he was now Philemon’s brother in Christ. That mattered.
Joy Versus Complaining
There’s an interesting psychological phenomenon related to joy. Joy produces life and encourages friendships. The opposite of joy is complaining. Complaining feeds dissatisfaction and discouragement. In a recent research study on the effects of complaining and how it affects business, it was discovered that people who complain repeat their complaints to others. They share their frustration with more people than the folks who are thankful pass on why they are appreciative.
It’s uncertain why this is true, but complainers are more vocal than grateful people. It appears to be easier to critically pick apart things than to acknowledge something done well. This attitude produces significant psychological damage to others when complaining is constant in the home. People are quicker to cut down on one another than to spread joy. Unfortunately, this is common in the Church too.
The Living Nativity
A Church I pastored in Florida conducted an annual outdoor living nativity. Over 800 people attended this annual event. During the third year of performances, we distributed response cards to the audience. The director recorded the following responses.
- “Very Good! We all need to hear this message so as not to forget the true meaning of Christmas”
- “Thank you for presenting this show. It is hard to find the real joys of Christmas.”
- “Very inspiring. Excellent presentation. Thank you for inviting us!”
- “We think this is a wonderful family event.”
- “We really enjoyed it, this is our third year and my children loved it.”
- “Very nice, turn up the sound a little.”
Someone commented it was “hard to find the real joys of Christmas”. Complaining can displace Joy at Christmas time. When we focus on what we don’t like, what bothers us, or that we are unhappy, we miss what God is doing. Knowing God and becoming aware of what He is doing brings joy.
Writing a Letter of Complaint
A mom and pop hotel received a complaint letter during Christmas. The letter illustrates how easy it is to miss what God is doing at Christmas. This customer completely missed the joy of Christmas. I removed the hotel’s name and location to protect the owners from further complaints. *
Dear Innkeeper:
I was a guest at your inn a few weeks ago. My visit to your establishment and the city, in general, was most unpleasant. Government officials and military personnel filled the streets. It seemed like IRS representatives knocked on every door. All this contributed to my bad experience of staying with you. Unfortunately, the stay at your hotel didn’t improve matters.
I am a patient man for I too am employed in sales and I can forgive you for the inconveniences. I can even overlook your poor choice of wine and stale bread. But there are several things I cannot ignore. For one thing, your charges for a private room were unreasonable. The room was about as private as a shopping mall. Additionally, the stench from the adjacent barn was unbearable.
No sooner had I fallen asleep than I awoke to hear shouts of “Hallelujah, the King is born!” When I looked out my open window, I saw a scruffy bunch of shepherds running from a field to the barn. They were easy to see because a bright star in the sky was beaming into my curtainless window. I yelled for them to be quiet, but they paid me no mind. What a bunch of nonsense!
Shortly after they left, I heard a baby crying. For a second time, I got out of bed and this time yelled to the mother to keep that baby quiet. As with the shepherds, she didn’t respond to my reasonable requests. That night was the most miserable night of my life. And all because you failed to control those people.
If you are going to permit high paying guests like me to be disturbed by poor unmannered travelers then you better be prepared to suffer a financial loss. I plan on telling all my associates about the problems with your establishment. How do you expect to earn a profit when a bunch of unruly shepherds can just walk onto your property? And what value is there in permitting a poor couple with a newborn to sleep in your barn? Only God and the angels in heaven above know what was happening in that dirty old cave (how true is this statement!). I feel like I missed something that night and displeasure fills my heart.
Signed, Silas of Jerusalem.
This complaining person certainly miss something amazing that night. He missed the very thing that would have lifted his spirit from complaining to joy. God came to earth as a baby right next door, yet his self-centered complaining blinded him to the value of that wonderful sleepless night.
A Christmas List for a Grump
During Christmas, there are always people who gripe aloud that it’s a chore to find a Christmas gift for another. If you are a grump and don’t enjoy giving gifts at Christmas, then here is a short Christmas list for a cantankerous individual.
Give to …
- your enemy forgiveness.
- an opponent tolerance.
- your friend your heart.
- a customer good service.
- your employer consistent quality work.
- each person you meet charity.
- every child a good example.
- yourself some respect.
- And give back to God your life as he gave His son’s life for you.
Many know God’s name is Jesus but they don’t trust him with what’s important. They remain spiritually alone during the holidays. They wander the shops like a wounded soldier lost in battle and unable to find his comrades. The sin of complaining, and that is what it is—sin, separates people. But a heart filled with joy attracts people.
Gifts of Reconciliation
Is there anyone you need to reconcile with? Do you need to ask for forgiveness or forgive another? Do you need to talk with God about your self-centered complaining spirit? Christmas is a time to let your complaints go. Replace what you would commonly complain about with an attitude of joy that God is with you and working out His good pleasure through your circumstances. Intentionally spread joy when you think complaining is justified. An otherwise dull, colorless, or depressing situation is filled with meaning and purpose when God fills your heart with joy,.
Do not be like the traveling salesman who was so close to Christ, yet missed the joy of the first Christmas. Complaining blinds us from the joys of Christmas. If Christ can transform Philemon so he’s able to accept Onesimus, then your grumbling heart is no match for God’s transforming Spirit. If joy in Christ doesn’t replace grumbling, then grumbling will overtake your spirit. God’s will is that good Christian men and women rejoice, with heart and soul and voice, because Jesus Christ was born to save.
* I don’t remember where I read this story. If someone can locate it for me, I will gladly give credit. I have also modified this story somewhat.
Picture attributions
Nativity Scene of Joseph and Mary heading to Bethlehem, Sheet music of Good Christian Men Rejoice from Bramley & Stainer, Christmas Carols New and Old, First Series (London: Novello, Ewer & Co., 1871), Carol #8, Men with red gift at Pexels.com “Joy”, Green present at Pexels.com.
