Merry Tifton
Big Idea: The true gift of Christmas is eternal life through Jesus Christ, often overlooked due to distractions and misunderstandings.
Every five years on Christmas Eve, James Kennedy would share a story at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I wanted to save you the trouble of going to Florida at Christmas, so let me tell you the story instead.
Once upon a time, long ago and far away in a strange land, there lived a man by the name of John Baresford Tifton. He was an incredibly wealthy man who had a peculiar habit of leaving a million dollars to people of his mysterious choosing. His associate, Michael Anthony, carrying a briefcase, umbrella, and hat, approached the recipients and gave them a gift from their generous benefactor. Of course, their lives were transformed.
Initially, there were just a few people, but soon there were dozens, hundreds, and eventually thousands in his land and across the globe. Mr. Tifton specified in his will that his extensive holdings should continue to be managed in the same manner after his death. Lives transformed worldwide as unsuspecting recipients were suddenly catapulted into the ranks of millionaires through his gift.
Over the centuries, these people, adopted into his family and given special privileges, decided to gather occasionally due to the many things they shared in common. It would be especially good if they had a celebration of the birth of their benefactor. So they celebrated.
Of course, it's obvious that the only people who had the slightest interest in celebrating the birth of Mr. Tifton were those who had received his gift. They were essentially a club for millionaires. As the years went by and the celebrations continued, there were essays written about Mr. Tifton's great character and benevolence. There were hymns written and sung to his praise. Various pictures and methods were created to honor the memory of this man who transformed many lives with his gift.
During one of Mr. Tifton's birthday celebrations, a couple of people unexpectedly showed up who were unaware that gifts were even given. The couple didn't fully understand the situation, but they realized that someone had given wonderful gifts to the people celebrating. The couple didn't fully understand, but thought it was a great idea. They shared it with their friends, who passed it on, creating a chain reaction.
Believe it or not, the idea spread. Before long, almost everyone was celebrating Tifton Day. The department stores even picked up on the idea. They had a keen eye for that sort of thing. Before you know it, there were Tifton specials all over the place. Other things happened, too. There was the Tifton card, of course, and then came the Tifton tree. Strange to say, the tree didn't even grow in the land where Mr. Tifton was born. You may not believe this, but it is actually true that in time Tifton Day became a national holiday. Everybody was celebrating.
Years later, on Tifton Eve, two gentlemen who had received the Tifton gift arrived in New York Harbor. As they walked down the gangplank, one of them said, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could find someone in America who is a Tifton recipient? We could celebrate tomorrow on the birthday of our benefactor." The other said, "Ah, yes, but in such a large land as this it's highly unlikely that in so short a period of time, we should be so fortunate."
They were amazed to see a sign in the first department store window that said, "Only one more day until Tifton!" And in the next window: "Tifton Specials: Half Off!." The two men said to each other, "We are in luck. We have found a Tifton. But isn't it strange that he calls himself Macy? Well, these Americans are an odd lot." They started into the store to find the owner, when across the street they heard someone cry, "Merry Tifton!"
Startled, they turned. Then from their own side of the street came a chorus of voices all around them saying, "Merry Tifton and a Happy New Year!" With that, they were absolutely dumbfounded. "Certainly," they said, "Mr. Tifton has been very prodigal with his gifts in America, unlike anything we have ever seen in his own land."
That evening, they found themselves at a large home where a Tifton Eve cocktail party was in full swing. Standing in the corner, they observed guests staggering in drunkenness, a sight they found deeply puzzling. Surely Mr. Tifton would disapprove of such behavior. How could this possibly honor his memory?
One of them said to the other, "My dear brother, this afternoon on the street when all of these people were shouting, 'Merry Tifton,' did you notice the way that some of them were dressed?" "Why, yes, I did. I didn't want to say anything, but surely they did not look like millionaires to me." "That's just what I thought. I can't understand it. Have you noticed here on the mantelpiece all of those Tifton cards? I’m amazed that most of them don’t mention Mr. Tifton at all. In fact, they have this picture of this fat man in this green suit in a chariot drawn by eight reindeer, one of which has a very bright nose."
The other man said, "Oh, yes, I noticed that. I inquired about it, and it seems that this is some character they have invented. His name, I believe, is Surper. Yes, St. Surper. I think his first name is Uriah. I believe they call him by his initial, uh, U. Surper. St. U. Surper, I believe, is his full name. It seems that so many of their Tifton songs are not about Tifton but about Mr. U. Surper. I find this difficult to understand. Perhaps one of these people here at the party could enlighten us."
And so they turned to the man who was closest to them and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Tifton." The fellow looked at them and said, "You must be tipsier than I am. Mike's the name. Michael Mythology. What can I do for you?" They said, "Would you kindly explain something to us, sir? We're a little bit confused. I do suppose that you have received the million dollars?" "The what?" "The million dollars? The gift from Mr. Tifton?" "A million dollars? "Man," he said, "I had to borrow three hundred dollars from the finance company to buy my Tifton gifts this year! What are you talking about?"
They said, "Well, why are you celebrating Tifton Day? What is it all about?" "Oh ho!" he said. "Well, that's easy. You understand that there was this fellow they say was named Tifton, who had a way of giving presents to people. I don't know what they were – ties, neckties, handkerchiefs, pajamas, that sort of thing. And, uh, of course, uh, some people think that he really lived, but we today in our sophisticated, modern world know that it's all a myth. Nevertheless, it is a nice idea. We picked up the idea and we give gifts and sort of change it around a little bit. But that's basically the idea. Do you believe the old idea that he lived and made significant contributions to others? Of course we don't, but it is nice."
The visitors said, "We can tell this is an important day for you because of your purple tie with orange stripes." Mike staggered away even more baffled than before.
They said to another man, "Sir, could you please help us? Could you tell us? Could you tell us, have you received the gift of a million dollars?" "Huh?" they said, "Man, I don't even know what you're talking about!" They said, "Tell us, sir, why do you celebrate Tifton Day?" He said to them, "Well, that's an absurd question. Everybody celebrates Tifton Day. When I was just a child, I used to hang up my Tifton stocking on the mantelpiece. My parents and my grandparents celebrated Tifton Day. Everybody celebrates Tifton Day. What's wrong with you foreigners coming over here questioning our customs?" And he sort of wandered away.
The two still could not understand. They decided they should make one last effort. After speaking with Mr. Traditional and receiving little help, they turned to another man, Mr. Bootstraps. "Benny Bootstraps," he said his name was, and he'd be glad to help them. Sure, he could explain the meaning of Tifton Day.
"Well, you see, there was this fellow named Tifton; started out very poor, I understand. His whole life was written up in a big black book. Most of us have them, but nobody reads it much anymore. Anyway, it tells us the principles of success he used to make a million. The idea is that we will read that book and follow those principles so we can become rich, too. I think that's the basic idea found in the book. You know, sort of reach down and give yourself a good tug." They said, "What about the gift?" Mr. Bootstraps said, "What gift is that?"
About that time, there was a knock on the door. When no one answered, the door opened to reveal Michael Anthony's descendant, holding an umbrella and a briefcase. Our two faraway friends were delighted to see that here at least at this party someone was going to receive the gift. And since no one paid him any mind, Mr. Anthony said, "Excuse me." Still, no one heard him over the laughter and hubbub of the party and the tinkling of glasses. Mr. Anthony spoke again. "I beg your pardon, but I have here with me…" His voice was drowned out. He made one more effort and then, disgusted, he turned and left, closing the door behind him. No one had seen him come. No one listened to his voice. No one received his gift.
That is my modern parable of Christmas. This Christmas Eve, I wonder how many will unwrap gifts only to feel like something is still missing. What has not been filled is their soul. There is still an emptiness in their unsatisfied hearts. Something is still missing. I wonder how many of you have received the gift. I wonder how many of you have heard the voice.
After the Christmas music and carols fade away, I wonder how many of you will face the same emptiness you felt before. I wonder how many of you have received the gift. I wonder if some people today are so spiritually blind that they don't even realize what the gift is.
Our parable has a text, and it is this: "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Do you have the gift? Or are you here today as a spiritual pauper in the company of millionaires?
Scripture puts it clearly: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). If you’ve received this gift, you know it. If you’re unsure, it’s because you haven’t yet embraced it.
Let me ask you: Are you certain of your destination? When your life ends, will you stand before Christ with confidence, knowing you are fully accepted? Do you have that deep, unshakable assurance that comes from knowing your sins are forgiven and your eternity is secure? Without Christ, we remain in spiritual poverty, separated from God, unable to bridge the gap on our own. But here’s the good news: Jesus has already done what we could never do. Through his death and resurrection, he took on the penalty for our sins, allowing us to approach God confidently, not in fear, but with grace. This assurance isn’t based on our efforts but on the finished work of Christ. Without him, we’re lost. But with him, we have everything—peace with God, eternal life, and the riches of his love.
The gift is waiting for you. It wasn’t purchased with money or earthly wealth but with the precious blood of Christ at Calvary—at an infinite cost. He carried our guilt, bore our sin, and endured the wrath of the Father in our place. Why? So that we could be completely forgiven and receive eternal life.
Those who’ve received this gift can’t help but echo the apostle’s words: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" And you can receive it today by placing your trust in Christ and welcoming him as your Lord and Savior.
