WHAT DO YOU CELEBRATE AT CHRISTMAS?

Christmas season is a busy season in which many people do everything they can to prepare for Christmas day celebration. Some really work so hard to earn something to spend on eating and drinking on Christmas day. For some it does not matter how the money they need for Christmas is earned. That is why around the same time, crime associated with theft is rampant especially in the urban areas. Most of such crimes are committed in the name of fundraising for Christmas.

No sector is left out of the preparation for Christmas. Businesses such as Liquor industries, entertainment houses, foods and beverage industry and all kinds of businesses providing consumer products do everything possible to prepare for big sales during Christmas season.

Come Christmas day, the celebration begins. People eat, drink and dance. Others fight their loved ones. There are men who specialise in causing misery in their families on Christmas day by fighting their wives. For other women, it is a day when they lash out at their husbands with sharp tongues when they are already charged through booze.  Others make Christmas day a day for going away with their lovers leaving their wives miserable. Many guzzle alcohol to the point where they become sick with hang over. Others burn away all the money they have earned only to regret after they have sobered up. People do many strange and evil things in the name of celebrating Christmas.

What people do or how they handle themselves on Christmas day is what can clearly indicate whether they have understood the message behind Christmas or not.

When you understand clearly what important facts are associated with Christmas, then you will know what you should be celebrating, how it benefits you and how you can celebrate it.

The prophecy of Simeon recorded in Luke 2:25-32 can throw light on this matter. We are told that Simeon was a righteous and a very devoted man. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he has seen the Lord’s Messiah. The day baby Jesus was being presented in the temple, the Spirit of God led Simeon there and when he saw baby Jesus he took him up in his arms and praised God saying: “Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Saviour you have given to all people. He is light to reveal God to nations, and He is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2:29-32 NLT)

When Simeon saw baby Jesus, he was overwhelmed with joy. He was ready to die in peace. Why? Because, He had seen the answer Israel and all the nations of the world needed. The world needed a saviour. And God sent a Saviour. Simeon saw this and it was enough for him. Peace filled him. He was ready to die in peace knowing that no one as been left out of such a great offer and that is why he uttered this statement saying: “you have given to all people; he is a light to reveal God to the nations.”

The world needed an answer for its troubles. People need peace within themselves and with others. There is the problem of wars, injustice, trade imbalance, moral break down, broken families, and many other problems that still grip the world. All the problems the world has today have its root in sin and life lived without God. Simeon saw only one answer for that. That answer is found in a Saviour.

Christmas is a day set aside for you to remember the great offer God made to the world. That offer, is the offer of a Saviour. That savior is His dear Son Jesus Christ. He alone has the power to save you from your sins so that you can have peace with God and yourself. Peace with God will allow you to have peace with man. On the night Jesus was born, the Angels appeared to the shepherds declaring in their singing that: Glory to God In the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” God favour rest on those who have allowed Jesus deal with their sins. Where there is favour there is peace.

Christmas is a day of celebrating God’s love for the world.

That is why John 3:16 says that, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

God gave the world a Saviour because of his Love. God offered life to every Man or woman. This life is called eternal life. Why did He do that? Because He did not desire that man should perish in their sins and be condemned nor be enslaved by sin as they live their earthly lives. He wants them free from sin and Satan who takes advantage of sin to destroy them.

Christmas is a celebration of God’s answer for the need of your life. In Jer 29:11 God says that: “For I know the plans I have foe you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, and plans to give you hope and a future”. God’s plan is to let every one have a fruitful life here on earth to the glory of God. That plan is realised through Jesus. Because in Jn 10:6, Jesus declared that he is the only Way to God the Almighty Father. The plan that God has for the welfare of your life takes care of every area of your life. Through Jesus that the Father has given, you can have access to God plan for your life. . He alone can give you the answer you need for your life, when you allow Him to guide you throughout your life.

Now let us reflect on this issue in connection with your life. You who have been celebrating Christmas year after year, does the coming of Jesus have a bearing on your life? Have you taken advantage of His coming and welcomed Him to come into your life to save you? Can you say like Simeon said when your time to live this world comes, that you can die in peace?

If no, then I tell you, you have to act now. It means you been celebrating Christmas in vain.

You have to receive the offer of God’s son in your life. Yes you may be religious. You may know about Jesus, but that won’t help you until you receive Him in your heart as your Lord and Saviour and that is when you will know Him. John 1:12 says that:  “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God”. You can receive Christ by asking him to come into your life as your Lord and Saviour. When Jesus comes into your life as Lord, it means you surrender every area of your life to Him.  That is what brings the real change in your life and you begin living according to His word. When you are willing to do that He gives you the power to live according to His will. That power is the grace.

Let this Christmas season be a special one for you. Let it have meaning in your life by surrendering your life to Jesus if you had not yet done so. If you are ready to do that, please say this simple prayer of commitment.

“Dear father, thank you for sending your son into the world to save me. Because of what you have done for me, I turn away from my sin. Right now, I ask Jesus to come into my heart. I receive Him as my Lord and Saviour. And I receive His peace. Amen.”

If you have said that prayer, from your heart, you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Begin reading your bible from the book of John. Find a bible-based church near you where you can fellowship in order to grow spiritually. Let us know about your commitment to Christ through text messages and mails.

Celebrate this Christmas and Christmas season in a special way. Let it not be a time of getting drunk, fighting or deserting your family. It is a time of peace. Let it be a time of giving. Show appreciation for the love God has shown you by sharing the same love with your loved ones and other people as well.

Share and give in love what God has blessed you with in appreciation for what God has done for you.

During this season as you work in your office, business and so on, do not do anything that is not right because you want to benefit financially for Christmas time. Don’t delay to process paper on your desk because you are hopping to receive a bribe that will help you celebrate Christmas. No. That won’t give you peace.

Do the right thing and God will bless you. Just Share what you can and celebrate God’s love for your life.

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

George Oduch