On this special season of celebrating the birth of our savior Christ Jesus, we wish our family of Christ Jesus worldwide, and the entire world and his creation which he came to redeem, his eternal peace; his eternal joy and happiness; his eternal light and life; his eternal healing and strength; his eternal companionship and fellowship; and his eternal countenance and blessing in his holy name. Merry Christmas! We celebrate Christmas for many reasons, key among which are summarized as follows:
We celebrate God’s dwelling among us
Christmas reminds the world that once upon a time, God himself, manifesting in the flesh, came to dwell among us full of his glory to save the world from sins. John 1: 10-11 says, he (Jesus) was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. No wonder Luke 2: 7 says, there was no guest room available for them. However, determined to dwell among us, he humbled himself to be born in a manger, associating with dirt and filth. Jesus associates with us in spite of our dirt of sin. Be ready to host him?
We celebrate Jesus, the way to God
Jesus said in John 14: 6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. He never said there are other ways, or no one goes to the Father but rather, no one comes to the Father. This implies he and the Father are one and inseparable. His enemies, the Herodians, said in Matthew 22: 16; Mark 12: 14; Luke 20: 21, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.” Have we resolved to follow Jesus as the only way no matter our challenges? May Christ Jesus, the only way back to God, lead us home in eternity.
We celebrate God glorified in Jesus
God’s glory manifests in Christ Jesus in faithfulness. John 1: 14 says, the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. On Christmas day, we celebrate the faithfulness of God’s fellowship to which he has called us through his son Christ Jesus our Lord. 1Corinthians 1: 9 says God is faithful, who has called you into his fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord. In Christ Jesus, we are witnesses to God’s faithfulness, mercy, love, compassion and forgiveness. Is God glorified in Christ Jesus in us?
We celebrate the Lordship of Jesus
The angel said to Mary in Luke 1: 31-33, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” On Christmas, we celebrate Jesus’ eternal reign and Lordship. Hebrews 7: 24 says, because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. He permanently intercedes for us. Hebrews 13: 8 says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Is Christ Jesus truly our Lord we obey?
We celebrate fulfilment of prophecy
Jesus’ birth was long prophesied in Isaiah 9: 6-7, for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Matthew 2: 5-6 quotes prophecy, “… for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Matthew 1: 23 says, they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”). May Christ Jesus govern our Personal Lives and affairs; be our Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God; Everlasting Father; and Prince of Peace always.
We celebrate Jesus’ birth and divinity
Jesus’ birth is factual truth. Luke 2: 6-8 says, while they (Joseph and Mary) were there (Bethlehem), the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. The angel said to shepherds in Luke 2: 12… You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. He grew up, for Luke 1: 80 says, and the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. Of his divinity, Matthew 2: 11 says, on coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Do we still doubt Jesus’ divine nature? We must worship him in spirit and in truth.
We celebrate why Jesus was born
Matthew 1: 21 says he will save his people from their sins. Luke 1: 77-79 says, he will give his people the knowledge of their sins, shine on those living in darkness and shadow of death, and guide their feet into the path of peace (Read also Mathew 4: 16). Luke 1: 14 says, he will be a joy and delight to many who rejoice of his birth. Luke 2: 32 says, he is light for revelation to unbelievers, and glory of Israel. In Matthew 11: 29-30, he invites us to exchange our heavy burden with his easy yoke and light burden. In John 1: 9, he is the true light. In John 1: 12, he gives the right to become children of God to those who believed. In Luke 19: 10, he came to seek and to save the lost. What does Jesus’ birth mean to you?
The facts of Christmas
The fact of the exact birth date of Jesus is unknown. It is thus wrong to say Jesus was not born Christmas day, December 25 unless with absolute certainty. Celebrating Christmas does not defeat the fact of Jesus’ birth; the incidence of his birth; the mission and purpose of his birth; and his divinity.
Historical accounts show that the date was carefully chosen to coincide with, and defeat, celebrating the birthday of the sun god on that date. On the Roman calendar, the date coincided with the winter solstice when shorter days ended and longer days began. This symbolized that Christ Jesus is the source of light; and only he lengthens our days with eternal life. The clash of the dates ended the pagan sun worship. By this, Christ Jesus has won the victory of life.
Reflection
As we celebrate Jesus’ memorial of coming into the world, may we personally invite him into our hearts as the true light; truly accept his Lordship by deed and confession; and renew our vows to him every moment of our lives. May the memory of his birth be a blessing to us at Christmas. Join us to celebrate Jesus’ birth with meaning, and with sober and penitent hearts. Our Saviour has been born, and God’s love and faithfulness has been revealed in Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas!!!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, fill our hearts with joy and peace as we receive your light of life through your birth at Christmas. May your birth give us a new birth in you. We pray in your Holy name, Amen!!
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