Download the transcript as a Word file to receive access to the full outline and complete sermon.

• Illustration: Kennedy's sermon is an extended parable that details the degeneration of "Tifton Day" (Christmas).

• John Baresford Tifton was a man of incalculable wealth that lived a long time ago across the sea.
• He began giving a gift of a million dollars to different individuals, a practice that was continued after his death.
• Those who had received this gift began a yearly celebration of Tifton's birth; one of these parties was subsequently crashed, and copied, by Americans.
• Over time, everyone in America began celebrating Tifton day, although all were clueless about its origins.

• Illustration: Kennedy's parable shifts to modern day "Tifton Eve," when two recipients of Tifton's gift arrive in America and are surprised to see the entire country celebrating the holiday.
• The two gentlemen find themselves in a Tifton Eve cocktail party, and begin questioning the attendees about their knowledge of Tifton day.
• The gentlemen learn the story of Saint U. Surper, who is a large man in a green suit that oversees a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer.
  -Michael Mythology explains that he has heard the myth about Tifton and his gifts, but that rational society recognizes it as a myth.
  -Mr. Traditional declares that he celebrates Tifton day because he always has and because everyone else does.
  -Mr. Bootstraps says that Tifton day comes from a story in a big, black book, and that people can follow the principles of that story in order to become millionaires like Tifton.
• An official representative of Tifton enters the party and attempts to give away one of the million dollar gifts, but leaves when nobody pays attention.

• How many of you feel that something is still missing after you open all of the gifts and spend time with your families?
• Jesus Christ has offered the gift of himself and eternal life—paid for with his own blood—to anyone who will receive it.