DAILY DEVOTIONAL

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL EDITION

DATE: MONDAY 25^TH, DECEMBER 2023 – 30^TH DECEMBER 2023

AUTHOR: MARY LAWRENCE- DOKPESI

TOPIC: CHRISTMAS: BEYOND RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’”- Luke 2:10-11

CHRISTMAS: BEYOND RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES

Today’s word speaks to the universal nature of Christmas. Christmas brings great joy to all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. The Angel had told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”. The great joy was for all the people, NOT for a select few.

The birth of Jesus Christ is a significant event in human history, as it marks the arrival of the long-awaited Savior and the fulfilment of prophecies that had been shared for centuries. Therefore, the message of Christmas is one of hope, love, and kindness, transcending cultural and traditional aspects of the people.

Aside from today’s word, the Bible contains several verses that highlight the significance of Christmas and the message it conveys. These scriptures emphasize the importance of love, giving, and the arrival of Jesus Christ as a symbol of hope and salvation for all humanity. You will find all of that in the further readings below.

Notwithstanding the above, there have been a lot of controversies surrounding the date and period of the birth of Jesus. The debate surrounding the celebration of Christmas on December 25th is rooted in the uncertainty of Jesus’ exact birth date. Some argue that this date was chosen to coincide with existing pagan festivals, while others believe that the date is based on historical and astronomical evidence.

That notwithstanding, what remains significant is the purpose behind celebrating Christmas. Christmas has come to symbolize the birth of Jesus Christ and serves as a reminder of his teachings of love, compassion, and goodwill towards all humanity. In modern times, Christmas is widely celebrated around the world as a time of joy, love, and giving. Almost everyone observes Christmas as a holiday that transcends religious boundaries and is also embraced by people from various cultural and religious backgrounds. It is a time when families and communities come together to celebrate and spread cheer, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The winter solstice is a recurrent decimal as to why Christians should not celebrate Christmas, but Jesus did not die for Christians alone, He died for the whole world. Everyone worships Jesus Christ in a unique way, which further confirms that Jesus is a universal king.

But one thing we cannot run away from, whether as Christians, or people of other faiths, is that the symbolic rebirth of the sun during this time of the year, usually referred to as the Winter solstice is a reminder of hope and renewal, which is a central theme in Christianity. For instance, the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the central themes in Christianity. Just as the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ give believers a new life, a hope that never dies, so also the birth and resurrection of the sun during the Winter Solstice brings a new life to the entire universe.

The early church fathers also chose the Winter Solstice to celebrate the birth of Christ because they believed Jesus Christ was born during the Winter Solstice just at the time when the SUN was going through a process of rebirth.

The core message of Christmas therefore, is renewal, rebirth, restoration of the Christ Spirit, and love, peace, and goodwill towards all men, regardless of their religious beliefs. Therefore, regardless of the date’s origins, the significance of Christmas lies in the message it conveys and the opportunity it provides for people to come together in peace and goodwill.

The Benefits of Celebrating Christmas

Celebrating Christmas can bring numerous benefits to individuals and communities. Some of these benefits include:

1.     Promoting unity and togetherness: Christmas brings people together, fostering a sense of community and togetherness.

2.     Encouraging acts of kindness and generosity: The season of giving encourages people to be more generous and kinder to others.

3.     Strengthening family bonds: Christmas offers an opportunity for families to spend quality time together and reconnect.

4.     Boosting mental well-being: Celebrating Christmas can help improve mental well-being by providing a sense of purpose and belonging.

As the Savior and the Lord, Jesus Christ offers salvation to all who believe in him. His life, teachings, and sacrifice have profoundly impacted the lives of people from all walks of life. By embracing the message of Christmas, we can find peace, purpose, and a renewed sense of hope in our lives.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS BELOVED.  I WISH YOU MANIFOLD BLESSINGS IN THE NEW YEAR!!!

PRAYERS:

Heavenly Father, grant that the Christ Spirit will find me worthy of renewal and significant blessings. May I find peace, purpose, and a renewed sense of hope in my life, in Jesus name, AMEN

FURTHER READINGS: John 3:16, Luke 2:10-11, Galatians 3:28.