DECEMBER has come and with all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey or chicken dinners with family and friends, the Harmattan weather Decorations hanging in the living room, and shouts of “Merry Christmas” to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?
For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow; they don’t have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family and friends. Many are saddened at Christmas time when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.
Yet Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing his great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Christ child, God sent to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men and angels all share in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of his coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to make the way for those who were looking for this special child.
Luke 2:4-19 gives detailed account of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
While shepherds were in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone 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.
This will be sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger “suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel,” praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven; the shepherds said to one another, “lets go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they went and saw the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what has been told about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Why did he come? Why did God sent his son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, he would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.
Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The bible says that all have sinned. We are born with a sin nature.
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forget us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” 1 John 1:9.
We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening. We can know we are his children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.
Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a “Merry Christmas” The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.
Jesus is the reason for the season! Rejoice.
