One of the great prophecies from the Old Testament – Isaiah 9:6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Despite this incredible prophecy and the fulfilment of it in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, even as Christians we can forget what the reason for the Christmas season is and also what should be at the centre of Christmas, and that is Christ Jesus.
Let us break Christmas down… ‘Christ’ means Jesus and ‘Mas’ means celebrations. Without Christ there would just be celebrations. In the world today we see a secular culture around Christmas which promotes the ‘mas’ part of Christmas, through parties and presents and holidays and decorations. We shouldn’t get religious about Christmas though, we mustn’t forget the ‘mas’. We need to celebrate and we have so much to celebrate about Christmas. For without Christ’s birth there would be no cross, no crucifixion, no resurrection, no reconciliation and relationship with God on earth, no bible as we know it. Let us celebrate Christ’s birth and all that happened in his 33 years of life and the impact that life has on our life and on our world today.
As Christians we have the privilege and I believe the responsibility of bringing Christ back into Christmas. At this time of year we have an open door to discuss the real meaning of Christmas. Don’t let busyness rob you of remembering the full meaning of Christmas and speaking to others about it. Without Jesus there is no Christmas, no celebrations, no festive season. He is the reason for the season. So don’t put what should be at the centre of it all, in a nativity set on your coffee table and let dust cover him.
And lastly, don’t become overfamiliar with the story of Christmas, thinking that you know it. I pray for us all to get a fresh revelation of the enormity of the gift of Christ this Christmas.
Despite this incredible prophecy and the fulfilment of it in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, even as Christians we can forget what the reason for the Christmas season is and also what should be at the centre of Christmas, and that is Christ Jesus.
Let us break Christmas down… ‘Christ’ means Jesus and ‘Mas’ means celebrations. Without Christ there would just be celebrations. In the world today we see a secular culture around Christmas which promotes the ‘mas’ part of Christmas, through parties and presents and holidays and decorations. We shouldn’t get religious about Christmas though, we mustn’t forget the ‘mas’. We need to celebrate and we have so much to celebrate about Christmas. For without Christ’s birth there would be no cross, no crucifixion, no resurrection, no reconciliation and relationship with God on earth, no bible as we know it. Let us celebrate Christ’s birth and all that happened in his 33 years of life and the impact that life has on our life and on our world today.
As Christians we have the privilege and I believe the responsibility of bringing Christ back into Christmas. At this time of year we have an open door to discuss the real meaning of Christmas. Don’t let busyness rob you of remembering the full meaning of Christmas and speaking to others about it. Without Jesus there is no Christmas, no celebrations, no festive season. He is the reason for the season. So don’t put what should be at the centre of it all, in a nativity set on your coffee table and let dust cover him.
And lastly, don’t become overfamiliar with the story of Christmas, thinking that you know it. I pray for us all to get a fresh revelation of the enormity of the gift of Christ this Christmas.