Selie visa
The word Christmas is formed by two words... Christ plus Mass, meaning a religious service in commemoration of the birth of Christ.
The Bible account mentions the shepherds watching over their flocks in the field by night. So it's unlikely that Jesus was born in December since sheep are not kept out-door during such cold season.
Some groups disapprove of the festival because it coincides with Saturnalia, a pagan festival. But despite all the oppositions, there is nothing evil or sinful in setting aside a special day to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.
Romans 14:5-8 explains that the observance of a special day and eating meat are not imperative in our spiritual life. They neither enhance nor minimize our standing before God. The important thing is that one should "be fully convinced" as to the rightfulness of his observance. What counts is the motivation and the desire to honor the Lord in what we do. Further, God's approval matters more than the approval or disapproval of man.
Children would understand if we say Christmas is the birthday of Jesus. Adults say the same thing in their day-to-day conversations. Christmas is a special day set aside to commemorate the Incarnation when God took on flesh and pitched his tent among mankind.
So, what do we learn from the story of Christmas?
The long silence finally broken:
For four hundred years there was no word from God. No prophet has arisen in Israel. There was no angelic visitation. The Israelites came under the dominion of the Persians followed by the Grecians, the Syrians, the Maccabees and then the Romans. Suddenly, after four centuries of silence, a voice was heard--- the voice John the Baptist in the wilderness of Judea, preparing the way for the Lord and urging people to repent. The “silent years” between the Old and the New Testament was the prelude that would herald in the most wondrous event in the history of mankind-- The Incarnation. The eternal son of God took on flesh and became human without diminishing his divine nature.
The unspeakable gift:
Christmas is the story of God’s love for mankind all over the world. God loves us so much that he gave us his only son through whom we have the hope of life eternal. Christmas is the story of the restoration of the broken relationship between man and God. God loves us. He always has. In Christ he reaches out to us. Christmas is the story of the King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, giving himself to you and to me. The Bible calls him, "the unspeakable gift."
God, the most humble being:
God is the most humble being one will ever know. He is the Almighty God but he humbled himself to become a human being. He left his heavenly abode and came down to earth. He left his adoring angels to live in a world filled with jealousy, suspicion and hatred. He left his royal crown for a crown of thorns. He gave up his divine throne to take our place on the cross. Christmas is the account of God humbling himself and reaching down to mankind because they cannot reach up to where he is.
The only way out of sin and death:
"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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16 & 17).
Only Jesus can save us from sin, condemnation and death. Only in him can we find eternal life. God's purpose toward humankind is positive; it is an attitude of love. He is not seeking an excuse to condemn human beings but is rather endeavoring to save them. His purpose in sending Jesus into the world was to show his love and to draw people to himself.
Immanuel - God with us:
Isaiah 7:14 is a familiar prophecy that is quoted in Matthew. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”-- which means, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is the evidence that God is with us. People of every race, culture and nation are trying to find God and discover the meaning of their lives. But God is not hiding. He is not distant. He has drawn close to us through Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, as you celebrate Christmas, remember that celebration of special days and jubilees are pointless if God is left out of the picture. Our religious celebrations must be God-centred. Sadly Christmas has been corrupted by commercialization and we need to redeem the true spirit of Christmas. Christmas must not be celebrated as a traditional or cultural festival. Do not leave out Christ from Christmas.
