CHRISTMAS BEGINS WITH “CHRIST”


Christmastime is a season of great joy and celebration! But this joy and celebration will be hollow if we fail to hold in tension the “who” and the “why” behind Christmas.

“Who” are we celebrating and “Why” are we celebrating this obviously important person? Why the Christmas dinners, the exchange of gifts, the rejoicing and general sense of goodwill all around? In one word: CHRIST!

Jesus Christ gives Christmas its meaning: A Saviour is born! HE IS the Redeemer SENT to buy our freedom from sin. And so the angel declared most appropriately, “joy to the world” to herald the birth of the most important person to enter the history of humankind!
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11, NIV)
At Christmas the whole world is suddenly enwrapped in the spirit of love and of joy just as the angel declared at that first Christmas. And it is no coincidence that this is the case, even if the actual celebration has been tainted somewhat. Ultimately, the “idea” of Christmas is God’s – “when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4–5, NIV); this is not man’s invention.

This “good news” and “great joy” which the birth of Christ represents must then have pride of place and take centre stage in everything we do, not only at this unique date reserved for special celebration, but all year long and for all time. And we read in the Gospel of John –
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
As believers, we must endeavour then to emulate and reflect the nature of and motive for the gift which God has given us as we exchange gifts at Christmas and in all our giving in general. We are exhorted, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11, NIV). And the joy of the new and living way which Jesus has opened to us for unfettered access to the Father should now fill our hearts with joy.

At the heart of Christmas is Christ: anything less is alien to the Christian’s renewed mind. Jesus Christ is God's precious gift sent by God Himself to meet man’s greatest need - Eternal Life.

Rejoice! It’s all about Jesus Christ, the express revelation of the love God has for us.

May the indwelling life of Christ shine like light through you this Christmastime to powerfully impact someone by your act of unconditional love! 

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