Do you remember the “Wet Bandits” in the original “Home Alone” movie? I’ve met another kind of bandit that cases our homes—the Christmas bandits.

In a familiar parable, Jesus described four types of soil that show how our heart condition determines whether the gospel will bear fruit (Matthew 13:1-23). He also identified the bandits that steal the good news. Let’s apply His teaching to Christmas and protect ourselves from the Christmas bandits.

Christmas Bandits

The First Trap: Lack of understanding and the evil thief

 “The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts” (vs. 19 NLT emphasis added).

Jesus talked in parables to stimulate curiosity and weed out the disinterested. If we don’t understand Jesus’ words we’re invited to seek understanding. He promises those who seek will find (Mathew 7:7-8). Otherwise, the evil one snatches away the meaning and joy of God’s good news.

How do we protect ourselves? By being curious, taking our questions to the Lord, asking for understanding when we open our Bibles—and always approaching Him in faith (Hebrews 11:6).

The Second Trap: Problems and persecution brought on by our beliefs

“The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word” (vs. 20-21).

Persecution of the faithful began with Cain and Abel. Jesus has drawn persecution since He was an infant (Matthew 2:16-18). In our country, we’ve seen how a difference in political beliefs caused some to ostracize their own family members during the holidays. Is it possible to keep our faith and joy when experiencing real problems and persecution?

Richard Wurmbrand, founder of The Voice of the Martyrs, describes when his wife Sabina learned the Nazis had killed her Jewish family. She recovered herself and told him she would not continue to weep. “You are entitled to a happy wife, and Mihai to a happy mother, our Church to a servant with courage.”[1]

We protect ourselves from the problem and persecution bandits by embracing realistic expectations and being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20). The Christian life is a battleground, not a playground. But the Holy Spirit supplies perseverance, peace, and joy in our troubles (Galatians 5:22-23).

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. On earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT).

The Third Trap: Life’s worries and the lure of riches

“The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced” (vs. 22).

We know worries consume joy. But did you know they can also drain our faith? And what about riches? Have we recognized their deadly pull? Chasing the perfect gift, decoration, and experience can rob us of the real joy found only through abiding in Jesus. We guard our hearts from these clever bandits by delighting in the One who truly satisfies (Psalm 37:4).

Christmas Bandit

Real Life; True Joy!

“The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matthew 13:23 NLT)

The fourth type of person fortifies themselves against bandits by abiding in Christ and practicing God’s word (Matthew 7:24-27). These people overflow with joy and bring glory to God (John 15:7-11).

The Good News of Christmas was sent for all of us. That means you and me. Let’s guard our hearts from those sneaky Christmas bandits and embrace the Christ of Christmas with great joy!

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11 NASB 1995)

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Blessings,

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[1] Richard Wurmbrand, In God’s Underground (Bartlesville, OK: VOM Books of Voice of the Martyrs, 1968, 2004, 2024), 266