CHRISTMAS – GOD’S GIFT TO THE WHOLE WORLD

24^th – 27^th DECEMBER 2019

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” – John 1:4-5

Christmas is here again. It is a season of joy, fun, merriment, and sharing of gifts among families and friends. I am happy to celebrate this season with you again and again– COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON!  Every year during this period, precisely on the 25^th of December, most people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Why must we celebrate or observe that day?  Some have argued that Christmas is a pagan celebration of the sun god and that Jesus was never born on December 25.  That argument underscores the purpose and the spirit of the season. Rather, the question should be who is Jesus, and why should the world celebrate Him on December 25 every year? When Jesus was to be born to us on earth, his birth was first celebrated by praises; for the angels and the heavenly hosts praised God saying; “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men” – Luke 2:14. This is because; something far from the ordinary happened – THE WORD OF GOD, WHO IS GOD, TOOK FLESH AS JESUS. This was a case of God’s word becoming a man in order that through Him, we might be reconciled with God. The reconciliation was very important because man had sinned and got separated from God. The WORD is an integral part of God in Heaven. The bible says the Word is called the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. He created the whole world and provides the glue which continues to hold the world together. The way to reach God is through His WORD – HIS SON. Every truth about life rests with the SON. The power of LIFE and DEATH also rests with the SON who as you know, is also the WORD of God. If not for the birth of Christ, man would die of sin and darkness will continue to envelop the world. The Christmas season, therefore, is a period of sober reflection on the gift of Christ to the whole world. If not for the birth of Christ, the world would remain in darkness to date, and the hearts of men would be turned off completely from the realm of light and the truth about God would be hidden from us. Today’s word reminds us that Christ who is also the WORD of God has always been associated with the LIGHT of God. Hence the scripture says, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.…” – John 1:4-5.  The scripture also says, “The TRUE Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world” John 1:9. Therefore, the WORD of God who is also the Christ is the light and life of our soul (The soul of every man) Christ is also the light and life of the world! Through the WORD of God, we have both physical and spiritual light, and this light is the source of our life. The Light of Christ also gives us the light of true knowledge and wisdom. For this reason, therefore, Luke 11:36 says, “So if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it in darkness, you will be radiant, as though a lamp were shining on you.” What a great gift God gave to us in Jesus Christ, and what a great gift Jesus is to us! In Jesus, God gave to the world the light of the truth that leads to eternal life (Ref; John 3:16), and the LIFE that gives abundant wealth here on earth (Ref: John 10:10; John 1:4-5) In Jesus Christ, God gave to us the everlasting gift of joy and abundant life! The birth of God’s Word as Jesus Christ on earth is a mysterious sacrifice by God to bring forth Light, Life and everlasting joy to humanity and the whole world. Everyone, all Nations inclusive are blessed by this light and life of God. The light and the life of God, which became Jesus Christ transcends religion and creed, which are given by men, but Christ came from heavens above, from the father of all things. How much love have you shown to others since you were born?  Better still, how much love are you willing to give during this season? Can you sacrifice what you love most to give joy and happiness to others?  Christmas is a period of appreciation of the gift of eternal joy to all men. It is also a period of sober reflection on the indescribable love of God to humanity.  In these last days, the world is greatly troubled due to disease, ignorance, and poverty.  Your help is needed to help restore the light of Christ to a broken world. Are you ready to heal the world by giving to the world what you love most? To demonstrate love and pure affection is to make a sacrifice for the sake of others when it is most difficult to do so. The word of God today reminds us about God’s everlasting gift of light and life to the whole world by sending an integral part of Him – His Word to take flesh and to dwell among us. In him, we continue to experience perpetual life and light! Beloved, remember there is nothing you can do for God to pay for the gift of Jesus Christ, other than to give light, life, and joy in return to the world! Therefore, we celebrate Christmas for two reasons: ONE – To thank God for His love and the gift of life eternal through His Christ who became Jesus Christ. TWO – To remind us of the need to show love and give willingly to others who need us, especially in times of struggles to overcome death. (Spiritual or physical death). We must try at all times, especially during this period to restore life by bringing joy and hope to the hopeless; bring the dying back to life by giving willingly to restore life in the best way that we can.  This is a season of sacrifice, pure love, and stainless affection.

Merry Christmas beloved!!!

Prayers        

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I shall henceforth give love willingly to ALL in order to preserve life and to create happiness at all times. AMEN.

FURTHER READING:  Colossians 1:15-20; John 1:1-14