CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
There are few observations that we wouldn't miss when meditating on the events related to first
Christmas recorded in first two chapters of gospel of Matthew and Luke.
Christmas recorded in first two chapters of gospel of Matthew and Luke.
1. God communicates His plan and His will concerning us, to us on right time.
In Lk: 1: 26-38, we find that angel Gabriel was sent by God to convey God's plan and will to Mary.
And in Mt 1: 18-24, We notice that God clarifying His plan to Joseph, who was in confusion with
respect to his planned marriage to Mary. God clarified His plan to him and he made a decision to take her as her life partner.
respect to his planned marriage to Mary. God clarified His plan to him and he made a decision to take her as her life partner.
We are created with a purpose and He has specific will and plan regarding each one of us. God reveals His will to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2: 10)
Self denial, not being conformed to the pattern of world and through continual renewal of our mind set us in in a position to discern the will of God (Rom 12:1, 2)
2. God's word was given due importance
There are numerous references in the Christmas accounts highlighting the fulfillment of old testament prophesies. Virgin birth prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 (about 600 years ago) fulfilled in Mt 1: 22, 23. Birth place of Jesus prophesied in Micah 5:2 found its fulfillment in Mt 2: 3-6. Jesus born in the tribe of Judah and as descendant of King David fulfilled the predictions of Gen 49:10 and Jer 23: 5, respectively. It is estimated that 300 prophesies mentioned about expected messiah in Old testament fulfilled in birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus' birth and entire life was in fulfillment of the written scriptures. We, Christians, who are called as Bible People, need to base our life on the written Scripture, we follow.
There are numerous references in the Christmas accounts highlighting the fulfillment of old testament prophesies. Virgin birth prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 (about 600 years ago) fulfilled in Mt 1: 22, 23. Birth place of Jesus prophesied in Micah 5:2 found its fulfillment in Mt 2: 3-6. Jesus born in the tribe of Judah and as descendant of King David fulfilled the predictions of Gen 49:10 and Jer 23: 5, respectively. It is estimated that 300 prophesies mentioned about expected messiah in Old testament fulfilled in birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus' birth and entire life was in fulfillment of the written scriptures. We, Christians, who are called as Bible People, need to base our life on the written Scripture, we follow.
Our Spiritual birth is by imperishable word of God (1 Pet 1: 23), Our Spiritual growth is by the word of God (1 Peter 2:2) and our Spiritual maturity is by the word of God (Heb 5; 12- 6:1). We live in confused, dark world and the Bible is lamp for our feet, and a light on our path (Ps 119: 105). Despite the surplus availability of Bible in our mother tongues, we seldom make efforts to understand its content in its context - not bothered about what the Bible has to say to us. This season could be used as another reminder to determine and decide to spend more time with the word of God and make more efforts to understand it.
3. Poverty is not curse
Jesus was born in Cattle shed (Lk 2:5-7). Shepherds were selected to reveal the birth of Christ (Lk 2: 8-14). Jesus was the only one, who could have chosen His birth place and time. Why did He
deliberately choose poor family and not a royal family, as His earthly parents? Why did He choose
cattle shed and not a palace, as His birth place? Why did He choose simple village, Bethlehem? Why the shepherds (with so much low social status) were chosen by heavenly host to share the divine news to the earthly beings? I also do not have the answers, but one thing is clear. Poverty is not curse in the view of God. Why should we carry a opposite view on this subject?
Jesus was born in Cattle shed (Lk 2:5-7). Shepherds were selected to reveal the birth of Christ (Lk 2: 8-14). Jesus was the only one, who could have chosen His birth place and time. Why did He
deliberately choose poor family and not a royal family, as His earthly parents? Why did He choose
cattle shed and not a palace, as His birth place? Why did He choose simple village, Bethlehem? Why the shepherds (with so much low social status) were chosen by heavenly host to share the divine news to the earthly beings? I also do not have the answers, but one thing is clear. Poverty is not curse in the view of God. Why should we carry a opposite view on this subject?
4. Obedience to God brings blessings
Most of the events around first Christmas confirms one fact that obedience to God brings blessing.
Mary submits to the will of God (Lk 1: 38). Joseph obeyed the command of God (Mt 1: 24). Joseph goes to Egypt, as per God's direction (Mt 2: 13-15). Magi goes in different direction as per God's advice (Mt 2: 12). What would have happened if they have taken a decision, just to disobey the revelations they received or delayed to obey. Trust and Obey, as there is no other way for Christian
Most of the events around first Christmas confirms one fact that obedience to God brings blessing.
Mary submits to the will of God (Lk 1: 38). Joseph obeyed the command of God (Mt 1: 24). Joseph goes to Egypt, as per God's direction (Mt 2: 13-15). Magi goes in different direction as per God's advice (Mt 2: 12). What would have happened if they have taken a decision, just to disobey the revelations they received or delayed to obey. Trust and Obey, as there is no other way for Christian
5. The message of Christmas is love, joy and peace
Angel's message about birth of Jesus Christ is joy and peace (Lk 2: 10, 14) The Christmas is the
revelation of divine love (Jh 3:16). Mankind lost the real love, joy and peace, when they decided to
disobey God. The world have been trying their best to fill the vacuum created by this loss through
their counterfeits. But by the grace and mercy of God, Christ was gifted to us. Through His death on
the cross, we are reconciled to God (Col 1: 19,20), have peace with God (Rom 5:1). When we self
deny and give ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, we would have the real love, joy and peace (Gal 5:22)
Angel's message about birth of Jesus Christ is joy and peace (Lk 2: 10, 14) The Christmas is the
revelation of divine love (Jh 3:16). Mankind lost the real love, joy and peace, when they decided to
disobey God. The world have been trying their best to fill the vacuum created by this loss through
their counterfeits. But by the grace and mercy of God, Christ was gifted to us. Through His death on
the cross, we are reconciled to God (Col 1: 19,20), have peace with God (Rom 5:1). When we self
deny and give ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, we would have the real love, joy and peace (Gal 5:22)
