On the Christian calendar, Christmas is one of the important festive occasions. On the birth of Christ Jesus in Bethlehem, the angel said in Luke 2: 14, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased. So, Christmas is a day of peace for those who accept God and glorify him. It is also a day when we unconditionally seek peace with our neighbours. It is a day of goodwill to all men because of the birth of our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We can honour and glorify God with peace and goodwill if we also prayerfully examine the events of Jesus’ birth.
The meaning of Jesus’ names
The angels said to Joseph in Matthew 1: 21 she (Mary) will bear a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Jesus therefore means Saviour and he is the savior of mankind. In Matthew 1:23 the angels also mentioned Jesus’ name as Emmanuel which means God with us. It is a further assurance of God’s companionship with us, Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, I am with you always, to the close of the age. His name Emmanuel thus means Jesus is an unfailing companion. He will never leave us or forsake us under any circumstances.
In Hebrews 13: 5 Jesus is referred saying, I will never fail you nor forsake you. Do we need an unfailing Saviour? Then Jesus is the answer. Philippians 2:9-11 say therefore God has exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. At Christmas, we celebrate the personality behind these names which are above all names because the names have power and immediate effect in all situations.
The parents of Jesus Christ
The parents of Jesus who were Joseph and Mary were devout people of God. They brought Jesus up in the fear of God so Luke 2: 51 says Jesus was obedient to his parents. Luke 2:52 also says Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man. This is a call on us to be responsible parents as Joseph and Mary were. A well brought up child in the fear if the Lord is obedient, humble and wise in the Lord as Christ Jesus was.
Proverbs 22: 6 says train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. At Christmas we are reminded that parents have a parental responsibility towards God regarding the upbringing of our children in the fear of the Lord. It also reminds children to obey their parents. Ephesians 6: 1 says children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Colossians 3: 2 also says children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. At Christmas we also pray that the Lord may help us to discharge our duties and parental responsibilities in the Lord.
The occasion of the census
Jesus was born at a time when population census was to be done in the entire region of Judea. It signifies that in Christ we converge as one people before God. It also signifies that Christ came for all of us, Jews and Gentiles alike. 2 Corinthians 5: 15 says and he (Christ Jesus) died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. The occasion signifies that Christ Jesus is for all mankind and in him we shall be counted as citizens of heaven.
Matthew 25: 32 says before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. It was no coincidence that the great shepherd of all was born at the gathering of all including the wise men of different nationalities Judea. The people of Judea were committed to their home land and believed in a single God, hence they were set apart from their neighbours. Jesus was set apart for our salvation as the only suffering messiah and by whom we shall have eternal life with the only wise God.
Jesus’ constituency was the whole world so in Mark 16: 15 he said to his disciples, go into the entire world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Revelation 15: 4 says all nations come and worship thee, for thy judgments have been revealed. The wise men also symbolized the communities of nations who gathered to worship Jesus Christ. At Christmas, we must submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls and turn away from heathen worship, doctrines and evil conduct. Jesus is the only one ordained to be our way, the truth and the life, John 14:6.
Jesus Christ was born in a manger
Jesus was born in a manger because all the inns were occupied. Luke 2: 7 says and she (Mary) gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Like the manger Jesus only needs an invitation to come into our heart irrespective of its state of filth. He is ready to change its state by cleansing with his precious blood and he will make it his dwelling place if we allow him.
Revelation 3: 20 says behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The manger signifies modesty and humility. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 29 take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. At Christmas, we must show lowliness and humility to all and God in obedience to his word. Jesus Christ came to restore the broken, rejected or irrelevant to a state of perfection. Do we feel inadequate? Christ Jesus has come to restore us at Christmas.
The star of Jesus from the east
In Matthew 2: 2 it is written, for we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. It was the belief that the day and life began from the East. In effect Jesus was the beginning of life or that we begin life with Jesus as the source of life. Jesus said in John 10:10 that I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, but by me. Is Jesus our way to eternity? We pray that Jesus should be the source of our lives at Christmas. Do we start the day and live through it with Jesus Christ in righteousness? Jesus’ star led the wise men to where Jesus was born, Matthew 2: 9. We need Jesus as the star of God’s salvation to lead us home to God when we are lost in this world.
The wise men were happy and we must also be happy when we are being led by Jesus Christ. Jesus’ star outshone all the stars in heaven to signify that none compare with Jesus in both heaven and on earth. From their bags the wise men gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to appreciate God’s intervention in the lost affairs of mankind. Do we also appreciate Jesus Christ as wise people? John 1: 5 says the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Evil is defeated when Christ Jesus assumes his place in our hearts. Who is our star or role model in life? We recommend to you at Christmas to accept and look up to Jesus as the star of your life in honesty and in truth.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, on this day of your birth, we congregate at the census of the kingdom. At your throne of peace to be counted as members of the kingdom, we pray that you continue to give us clearance in your sight through righteousness by grace. Give us your humble, peaceful, loving and caring spirit and lead us by your star to do right, to know the truth, to be responsible parents and workers in your vineyard. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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