Merry Christmas and Shalom to all in whom God is well pleased! Christmas is a season of warm fellowship, greetings of peace? However, some people do not celebrate Christmas because it is not biblical. We are glad to respond to this fallacious claim as the Holy Spirit may guide us.
Is Christmas biblical?
The response is yes, celebrating Christmas is very biblical. Paul said in Philippians 4: 8, finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Jesus’ birth is true, honourable, just to man, pure to God, pleasing, commendable before God, excellence to our spirits, and worthy of praise to God. This is what Paul’s teaching says.
We cannot celebrate Jesus’ death without his birth, and vice versa. The events of his birth, his death, and his resurrection are a continuum for celebration. Jesus said of the holy sacrament (sharing of loaf and wine) in Luke 22: 19, this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. This was with reference to his entire life from birth, death and resurrection. His birth was the beginning of his death on the cross for us and it is a continuum which cannot be separated. At Christmas, we soberly pray and reflect on Jesus’ worthy legacy of peace, forgiveness and unfailing love to the world. There were other special events that surrounded Jesus’ birth. We wish to discuss some as follows:
Jesus was born in a manger.
Luke 2: 7 says and she (Mary) gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. God disallowed Jesus to be born in a place of the world. He was to begin life modestly to a glorious end and we are called on Christmas to do same. At Christmas, God reminds us to be lowly and humble in heart as Jesus, Mary and Joseph were. Our origins do not matter but what we achieve through Christ Jesus by grace through the Holy Spirit. If we deny Jesus a place in our hearts, he will always find other ready hearts to dwell in.
Angels announced Jesus’ birth.
The angels announced in Luke 2: 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” Christmas gives us the opportunity for introspection on whether God’s angels can attest to our character to glorify God. At Christmas, we are reminded of God’s eternal peace upon the lives of those who walk with him in obedience and do his will. The angels announced to the world to embrace God’s peace through Christ Jesus without whom peace will elude us. What announcement will God’s angel make about us when the Lord requests it?
God’s angels appeared to shepherds
Luke 2: 8-11 says in that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, do not be afraid; for see– I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Christmas reminds us that God shows no partiality. Again, Jesus identified with shepherds as the great shepherd who wants us to care for his sheep day and night. Christ Jesus’ birth is good news of great joy as the Messiah and Lord with us. At Christmas, we must glorify God with our lives.
Jesus’ star led the wise men
Matthew 2: 9-10 say and there ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with Joy. God has given each of us access to the brightest star of Christ Jesus which darkness cannot overwhelm. Not all stars are true stars from God. At Christmas, we are reminded that the wise must always follow Jesus’ star just as the wise men did. Jesus’ star will always lead those who are wise in the Lord. Which stars lead us and along what paths, life or death?
The wise men visited baby Jesus
The wise men asked in Matthew 2: 2, where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and we have come to pay his homage. Wise men will always read the signs of Jesus and seek him. Only the unwise will reject Jesus whom God has ordained to save the world. We must be wise to interpret the signs of today and to seek Jesus before it gets too late in the day. Christmas has given the wise an opportunity to seek for Jesus whilst he can be found. Have we done so and if so, how are we seeking Jesus Christ as Christmas?
Wise men gave gifts to Jesus.
Matthew 2: 11 said, then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were the most precious wealth to the wise men individually. They gave Jesus their best from their hearts. Not every one gives his or her best to Jesus. Some bemoan and begrudge when we have to give something of value to Jesus. Wise men will give their best to Jesus because he holds the keys to wealth and life. Our best gifts which would satisfy Jesus are our pure hearts washed in his precious blood. The other precious gift which would satisfy Jesus on Christmas is Godly LOVE, not LUST.
The wise men did not return to Herod.
Matthew 2: 12 said and having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Wise men obey God’s warning. They avoid trappings of evil. They do not betray Jesus Christ. Wise man will choose the way of the Lord. We must not behave contrary to God’s directives based on our inferior wisdom. We must not compromise the lives of others or put other lives at risk contrary to God’s wish. At Christmas, we remind ourselves to obey God rather than men.
Herod rivaled God
At Christmas, we are reminded not to be like Herod of deceit and wickedness. We must not hunt down our rivals or harm the innocent nor resolve issues based on our own minds. Let God be the judge. In Matthew 2: 16 when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Herod rather took matters into his own hands. Christmas is a day of fresh life, joy and peace. Let us celebrate Christmas with focus on Jesus. Merry Christmas!!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, may your birth give us a new birth in you. Let your humility guide our deeds. Let your Star lead us along the way of righteousness. Let the gifts of our hearts with love be acceptable to thee. Be glorified in our lives as we cease to partner in sin. Give us your eternal peace by your angel. Let the testimonies of our lives be true and pure in you. Glory to God in the highest heaven on this occasion of your birth and let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Amen!!
