(Luke 2:8-14)
It's the largest celebration around the world each year. Other holidays get a single day, but Christmas is emphasized for an entire month. During the Christmas season, billions of people set aside normal routines to decorate their homes, send greeting cards, buy gifts, go to Christmas parties, attend Church services, sing Christmas carols, watch Christmas specials, and travel long distances to be with families. There are stores, and even careers, which are exclusively dedicated to preparing and celebrating Christmas. When Christmas comes you can't miss it, the sights and sounds are everywhere.
When you stop and think about it, it is amazing that the simple birth of a peasant boy born two thousand years ago in the Middle East has caused such a commotion, His birth even cause traffic jams today in places like New York, Tokyo, and other parts of the world. You may not be aware of the fact that every time you check your calendar or refer to a date, you are using Jesus Christ as your reference point. Because of Jesus, history is divided into B.C. (before Christ), and A.D (Anno Domini, In the year of The Lord).
Every other event in history, and every event on the calendar today is dated by how many days and years it has been since Jesus appeared on earth. Even your birthday is dated by His birthday. The night Jesus was born in Bethlehem, shepherds watching their sheep was about to witness something that would transform not only their lives, but billions of other lives as well. The world would never be the same. The Angel of The Lord appeared and began to speak to them as it is told in Luke 2:8-14. The Angel said Christmas would bring “Great Joy.... to all people." For many people Christmas seems more of a hassle than a source of happiness. It is a source of stress, they feel pressure, not pleasure. Some feel lonely, and even depressed during the Christmas season.
The good news is, Christmas offers “Great Joy.” Beneath all the visible sights and sounds of Christmas are some simple yet profound truths that can transform your life this Christmas and for all eternity. Take a few minutes to pause and consider the purpose of Christmas.
Here are three simple purposes for the birth of Jesus:
- Christmas is a time of celebration for God's gift of Christ (2 Cor. 9:15).
- Christmas is a time for salvation (Gal 4:4-5).
- Christmas is a time for reconciliation (Rom 5:10-11).
May you have a Joyful Christmas as you celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.
On behalf of my wife, Pauline and I, our Family and the Ministry of the Church of God of Prophecy, Mid-Atlantic Region, we wish you Joy Filled Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Woodroe Thompson, (M.Div.) Regional Bishop,
Church of God of Prophecy - Mid-Atlantic Region USA
Comments