Christmas is an annual holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. As a Christian feast, it liturgically closes the Advent season and initiates the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days. In much of the world's nations, Christmas is a civil holiday celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians, and is an integral part of the Christmas season. And this is what worries this writer. Christ is gradually been removed from Christmas, which should have been his birthday party!The historic record of the birth of Christ can be found in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20. Unlike any other baby, the one born that night in Bethlehem was unique in all of history. He was not created by a human father and mother. He had a heavenly pre-existence (John 1:1-3, 14). He is God, the Son'Creator of the universe (Philippians 2:5-11).This is why Christmas is called the incarnation, a word which means 'in the flesh.' In the birth of Jesus, the eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing Creator came to earth in the flesh.Why would God do such a thing' Why would he come as a baby, instead of appearing in power and majesty' Why make himself a true man and live among us, when he knew full well how terrible he would be treated' It was LOVE! 'God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life' John 3:16. It follows that the best way to celebrate Christmas is to accept Jesus Christ into your life as Lord and Saviour. If you have not done this, all the merriment and celebration is in vain.Some argue that the precise day of Jesus' birth, which historians place as between 7 and 2 BC, is unknown. In the early to mid-fourth century, the Western Christian Church first placed Christmas on December 25, a date later adopted also in the East Theories advanced to explain that choice include that it falls nine months after the Christian celebration of the conception of Jesus, that it was the date of the Roman winter solstice, or of some ancient winter festival.My joy is the fact that the birth of Christ is not disputed. Man likes to major on minors. The birth of Christ is more important than the date on which it happened. What is important is to receive Christ as Lord and Saviour. The several different practices associated with Christmas has somewhat removed Christ from Christmas. This is sad.Many of the popular celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, several figures, known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus, among other names, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season.Since gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.We must bring Christ back to Christmas. And this must begin with each individual celebrator. The last time I was in North America , I noticed that it was even becoming offensive to say 'Happy Christmas', you rather say 'Happy holiday'. This is how far the world is going. People want to enjoy the good time, but refuse the Saviour and his message.Preachers of the gospel must push for the return of Christ to Christmas, otherwise all our church activity is vain. There is no better time than Christmas to preach the salvation message. There is no better time than now for men to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This Christmas, I urge every reader of this article to receive Christ as Lord and personal Saviour, so that Christ can be in your Christmas.Rev Waive sent this in from Lagos.
Click here to read full news..
