D. Akato Achumi
Co-ordinator, 24/7 Chain of Prayer Ministry
Ironically, Christmas stirs up mixed feeling across a cross section of Society, for children, its ''Happy Holidays'' gift, new clothes, good food and so on, for parents, it might turn out to be an expensive festival. In the church context, the clergy and laity would be on their toes, preparing message's, organizing choir presentations, carol-round and so on. The business community sets the streets ablaze with flashy lights and loud music, luring people to make big purchases by offering tantalizing discount.
Each year we celebrate Christmas as a time of giving, a time of getting together with loved ones and as a time of joy. Unfortunately each year there are more and more people who want to take Christ out of the celebrations. Many Christians do not state or expresses Merry Christmas instead just wishes by saying X-Mas. What we forget is that Christ is truly the reason for the celebration to occur at all.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a peculiar star appeared in the sky. In those days men believed that they could foretell the future from the stars and they believed that a man's destiny was determined by the stars under which he was born. We do not know what stars arose when Jesus was born, about 11 BC Halley's comet was visible shooting Brightly across skies, about 7 BC there was Brilliant conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. In the year 2 to 4 BC, on the first day of the Egyptian month Messori, the dog star rose Helically at Sunrise and shone with Brilliance.The name Messori means the Birth of a prince and to the Ancient Astrologers such a star would undoubtedly mean Birth of some great king. Probably this star was sighted by three magi who were wise men skilled in philosophy, medicine and Natural science. And so they set out from the East following it till they reached the place where Christ was born. They must have been expectantly looking at the Heavens for a sign and that Heavenly Brilliance made it clear to their minds that a king has entered into the world, their entire focus all long their journey was only on the star that they followed it carefully till it reached Bethlehem. And when they saw the Baby Christ, they were undoubtedly convinced that he was the king. They worshipped him in Adoration! How Amazing!
Christmas is joyful because what man lost in the garden of Eden is regained-The relationship with above father. What better way can we celebrate Christmas than to share this news with those who have lost everything. For Believers Christmas does not mean''Santa Claus, cakes and gifts, it is a time when our hearts are filled with gratitude and reverence as we think of the condescension of our lord. The word of Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:9 put that in perspective.
Christmas-The season of joy, peace and togetherness it is the time of the year we give gifts to each other and help generously the needy and the downtrodden. Let this Christmas remind us to seek the lord to worship him and to offer our own selves to him. May the joy of Christmas fill our hearts forever!
