The Simple Truth

By: Rev. Tom Parkinson 

It’s Advent. For a preacher like me, that means a season of preaching, teaching, and reflecting on the Christmas story told in the gospels and foretold in the prophets.

If I’m being honest, I find this to be the most difficult time of year to preach. The Christmas story is familiar – almost too familiar. Its details are known even by the most nominal Christian. I struggle to know what to say. Hasn’t it all been said before? What can I possibly say that is fresh, new, and compelling?

Two Sundays ago, after preaching a sermon on the prophet Jeremiah's foretelling of Christ’s birth, I sat down at my desk and discovered a small figurine of Jesus sitting next to the computer monitor. I would soon discover that an anonymous donor had placed these little figurines all over the church—even in the bathroom stalls!

Across the sash of this silly-looking Jesus figure is the phrase, “Jesus ❤ You.” As I sat holding the rubber statue in my hand, I had a God moment. As silly as it sounds, that little figurine reminded me of the truth that Jesus loves me—even me. And as simple as that truth is, it is what matters most.

In that brief encounter between me and a rubber Jesus statue, I felt God lovingly releasing me from my self-imposed demand to innovate this Christmas. The simple truth is the most meaningful truth. Rather than pressuring myself to come up with something new or novel to say, why don’t I just preach the simple truth this Christmas?

Jesus ❤ you. That love was made known when God sent him to this world as a baby born in Bethlehem. That love was poured out when Jesus went to the cross and died for your sins. That love means that you are forgiven, freed, and redeemed. That love means hope, peace, love, and joy for all people.

It’s not complicated. It’s not profound. It’s not innovative. But it is the truth – the simple truth. And it means the most. By God’s grace, it’s the message I will proclaim this Christmas.