CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS - Pastor (Mrs.) Bibi Couragge Ode

The day Jesus was born should not be a controversy to us. A date has chosen a date to celebrate Him, and that’s what is important. However, we have to note that these days; the Christmas we claim to celebrate is far from Jesus. People even celebrate the season as HAPPY HOLIDAYS and do not in any way refer to Jesus.

There is nothing wrong with celebrating and being among family and friends but the core of the matter which we MUST not forget is to make people know what the season is all about. We must not be among the number that has lost sight of the real focus because there is a reason why God did what He did, why Jesus had to be born, why He had to take on humanity. It was for the redemption of man Jesus needed to be born. There was a necessity of a Saviour.  God, Himself had to come and took upon Himself the form of Man to save us from eternal damnation. He was the only perfect sacrifice for sin- “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises”. (Hebrews 8:6)

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us. Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS”. Matthew 1:18-25

Jesus came to save us from our sin. This was the real reason why He came. Humanity changed because man sinned. It was the sin of man that brought about the turning. Jesus did not come so we will be wealthy, have fine houses, cars etc. The low state of man was because of sin-“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

JESUS CAME TO SAVE US FROM OUR SIN

Jesus saved us from our sin, so we need to tell people about it. But sometimes, it is our experiences we preach. Any message that is not anchored on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is not the gospel. So as we celebrate, we must be sure of the message we are passing across.

 We need to make room for Him in our hearts. For those that have received Him, He needs to be formed in us. “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19) Paul had to pray like that because if Christ is not formed in us, it will be hard for us to communicate the message to others. The true expression of Christ in us will be seen in us when we allow Him to be formed in us.

GOD WITH US

Also, Jesus was born and named ‘Emmanuel’ which means God with us. It makes a lot of difference that no matter what we are passing through, God is with us. As we think through the fact that Christ was born, we must be conscious that God is with us. The birth and redemptive work of Jesus gave us access. God is with us and in us.

However, the fact God is with us does not mean that all our experiences will be pleasant. There will be hard times, the valley of the shadow of death, tests and trials but, no matter what, Emmanuel…God is always with us.

In Genesis 39:1-4, 20-21, we saw that the Lord was with Joseph. Even his master saw that the Lord was with Him. Potiphar’s wife accused him of rape and Joseph landed in prison but the Lord was still with him. Joseph’s experiences were not pleasant, but he was mindful that the Lord was with him. Another example we see, is in Judges Chapter 6:11-12, the angel said to Gideon “The Lord is with you”, yet so much had befallen them as a nation.

God has assured us that He’s with us. So no matter the path we are taking, no matter the challenges we are facing, God is with us! Even Mary, the mother of Jesus experienced trying times though the Lord was with her. (Luke 1:26)

In the midst of all our circumstances, God causes us to triumph and spread His fragrance around. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place”. 2 Corinthians 2:14

Sometimes, the weight of our testimony is an encouragement to somebody. Through the comfort we have received from the Lord, we can also comfort others.

We must say it to ourselves and be persuaded that God is truly with us. Emmanuel has come to save His people from sin and to be with His people forever. This is the assurance that we have, that Christ came, and He’s with us!