Reclaim Christmas as the rightful historical event that it is – when the Saviour of the world was born for you! By Tamsyn Cornelius It’s the season of Christmas carols being played on full blast, tinsel and fairy lights cascading from retail store windows, and malls filling up with festive – and often disgruntled – shoppers. Although Christmas has become a season of shopping, food, family and holidays, we need to remember that Christ is central to our celebrations over this time. Many believe that certain Christmas traditions are actually rooted in paganism, but as believers in Christ, we need to recognise that this event gives us the opportunity to share Christ with the world. It marks one of the most significant moments in all of history – the birth of the Saviour of the world. This is good news for every individual. For the first time, God manifests Himself in human form to bring us back into relationship with Him. “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord,” (Luke 2:11).
GOD’S PLAN IN MOTION The story of the first Christmas is the beginning of a new chapter in the bigger story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and destruction. In fact, Jesus’ birth had been anticipated for centuries prior to His grand appearance, born to a
virgin in a manger. Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” This prophecy was spoken many years before Christ’s co ming. Translated from the original Hebrew text, Immanuel means ‘God with us’. Isaiah prophesied the incarnation of God who would become flesh to take our place and show us the extent of His unconditional love to redeem us from our sins.
way and the truth and the life.
POWER IN THE MYSTERY
unfailing love and promise to save
The beauty of Christ’s birth lies also in the mystery that Jesus was both fully man, and fully God. God succumbs Himself to our humanity in order to prove the depth of His affection for us. “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship,” (Galatians 4: 4-5). Through Christ’s coming, God designs a path for us to take up our rightful place as sons and daughters – as heirs – in His kingdom. Without Christ, we would be doomed to a life of death and destruction, but Jesus gives us hope – a way – to be reunited to the Father. “I am the
No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6).
GOD’S REDEEMING LOVE Christ’s birth marks a pivotal historical event – a day that changed the history of mankind. Today, Christmas may be filled with arbitrary traditions – Santa, trees and decorations – that may have nothing to do with the real meaning behind the event. However, we need reclaim this day as a celebration of God’s us, through the birth of His own son, made flesh to set us free. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but will have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Instead of going with the flow in celebrating a commercial Christmas this year, why not start your own family traditions that honour Christ over the festive season! Sit down with your family and share from the Bible the story of Christ’s birth. Tell your children about the significance of Jesus’ coming. And most of all, walk in the knowledge of God’s unfathomable love for you, now and every other day of the year! THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE
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