Another year is swiftly running to an end. We are already in the winter with its coldness and frozen nature in the upper atmosphere. From Thanksgiving we go into Christmas season in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Not necessary that Christ was born at this time of the year but early Christian Council chose December 25, to celebrate Christ birth. Some Christians are against the celebration of Christmas. They opine that Christ neither celebrated His birth while on earth nor asked His followers to do so after Him. Others argue that the word Christmas is nowhere found in the Bible and it’s not true that Christ was born on December 25. Again it was not the custom the shepherds to watch their flocks by night in the open field in winter because the weather was severe and piecing. According to Saint Luke gospel, Jesus was born during the census ordered by the Roman Emperor. The Romans rulers were not administrative insensitive to conduct head count in winter that the weather was harsh, inclement, generally cold and snowed in some regions; roads were wet and muddy and traveling to say the least most unsafe. Another school of thought suggests that it was a demonic festival of the sun god that metamorphosized into Christmas. They maintained that if God wanted us to celebrate Jesus’ birth, the date would’ve been written in the bible. The false teaching about Santa Claus does not help matters. Perhaps the only groups that fancy this celebration are business people who make high sales turnover during this time. They help to promote Christmas and succeed in putting people in debts. This is a partial truth because Christ came and died for all.
Most people say thank God it’s Friday for it used to be the end of a working week. However some thank God for Mondays because it’s the beginning of another working week. We have a job to do and income to earn. More so without Mondays there would be no Fridays. Similarly most Christians believe that Jesus came to die and save us from sin but He had to be born at some point in history before living to die [Gal. 4:4-5]. The history of the life of Christ would be incomplete without his virgin birth. The opinions and arguments expressed concerns to ensure that Christendom is on right course. Its good knowing the history; better finding reasons for the celebration but embracing the significance of Christ birth and accepting Him as Lord and Savior is the ultimate. No matter how dark the situation, Jesus will always turn evil to a far greater good.
The gospel of Matthew records, “Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall name him ‘Immanuel’ which means God is with us.”[Matt.1: 23]. Prophet Isaiah had earlier said this shall be sign that the Lord Himself shall give us [Is.7: 14]. We have preoccupied ourselves with arguments for and against the celebration of Christmas and lost sight of the miracle God did for us by sending the Word, His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of God’s Head who was with the Father right from the beginning. He’s the image of the invisible God and the first born over all creation. By Him all things were created that are in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominion or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Nothing exists that was not made though Him and for His pleasure [John1: 1-3; Col 1; 15-16].
This is God, the Son who humbled Himself, appeared in a form of a bondservant and came in the likeness of man [Phil 2:7-8]. His conception was by the Holy Spirit and born by a virgin. He was named Jesus because He came to save His people from sin. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom shall have no end [Luke1: 31-33]. John the Baptize foreran and bore witness of Him saying, “This was He of whom I said He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.” Of His fullness we have received grace for grace.
The time of Christ birth is the moment of the impossible made possible, where God could humble himself into a woman’s womb and make a virgin bore him as a child. That great God that did such wonders can do anything. It’s nothing for Him to do whatever He wishes. That same God could turn a sinner into a saint, a childless woman into a mother of children. He could make the hopeless, hopeful and a slave, a freeborn. Paul assured the Corinthians, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he’s a new creature, old things have passed away; behold all things have become new [2 Cor.5: 17]. Again, but as many as received Him, He gave them right to become Children of God [John 1:12-13]. TODAY – Family Altar of Wednesday December 8, 2004 said, ‘According to prophet Isaiah 9:6, the child Jesus is everything we need through His birth, death and resurrection; he set the human race on a new course. As our wonderful, Counselor, he guides and directs us every day. As a God Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, He alone can help us make a new start.’
We can’t expect something less when the King of glory is present with us. He comes with His kingdom, glory, dominion and power. The glory He had with the Father from the beginning that glory abides with all who accepts Him and believes in His redemption; that glory shines in the midst of darkness. That glory brings the presence of God. The Roman Catholic publication –‘The Word Among Us’ Advent 2003 Edition opined, ‘from the moment of his birth until the end of time, Jesus is always with us, encouraging us, forgiving us, loving us and guiding us.
Earlier in the ancient days of the biblical Exodus, Moses built a tabernacle, spread out the tent over it and brought the Ark of God into the tabernacle [Exodus 40:17-21]. This was the first time any human brought the presence of God Almighty to stay with the people. Before then Moses met with God at certain places. Moses could not fathom this awesome Being, so he made an abode where God shall reside and His presence felt. The cloud covered the tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filled it. The cloud was above the tabernacle by day and fire was over it by night in the sight of all the Israelite throughout their journeys [verses 35-38]. They did not have to climb the mountain anymore to meet with God because God has come to be with them. Each time a person or a people create a place in their heart for God, He comes in to reside with them; spectacular and wondrous things happen. When the Son of God came from heaven to reside with man on earth, signs and wonders followed Him wherever He went. God showed His love by sending His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him [1 John 4:9]. Jesus promised His presence in the power of the Holy Spirit after ascension to be with us forever. This is the age we are living. In the name of Jesus great manifestation of God power is experienced and He’s still with us.
Many people may doubt God’s presence as we pass through faces of terrorism, devastating natural disaster-Asian Tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Suicide Bombers, assassinations, wars and unexplainable calamities, etc. Jesus did not promise trouble free world but even in the midst of the greatest challenges, He reminds us of the same words the Angel Gabriel said to Mary, “nothing is impossible with God.” He promised His peace and to be with us to the end of age. People experienced problems even during the first Advent. Joseph was troubled that the virgin pledged to him was pregnant and Mary’s explanation was meaningless. When the angel appeared to Mary, she was ‘greatly troubled.’ Joseph and Mary whisked away the baby Jesus and escaped to Egypt because King Herod tried to kill him. He was instigated by Satan and was afraid of competition. The shepherds had to find another way to return home without meeting with King Herod. King Herod ordered the killing of all male children of two years below. The Pharisees and religious leaders knew that a king will be born in Bethlehem of Judea but did not visit the newborn King because it was politically incorrect.
Even today we face many problems on personal and global scales. There are fears and anxieties everywhere. Most Christian media are afraid of saying “Merry Christmas” because it shall be considered insensitive. They may loose their faith-based patronage. Happy Holidays would be politically correct even when Christmas is celebrated. We are comfortable with whatever name as far as Christ is not mentioned. Some Christians prefer to identify with the men and constitution than with Christ. Some problems are not insurmountable but unexplainable; could create doubts in the mind of people that Jesus is with us. In the midst of all this, we gladly celebrate Christ birthday so differently from other events because it was a prophesy of old fulfilled, the most remarkable birth in history- a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit and an angel announced His birth. Jesus is a king born in a lowly state, a magnified star led shepherd to honor Him while wise men brought Him gifts. The Creator of the universe visited the world, born to die and save his people from sin. This birth made Bethlehem prominent and brought great joy and rejoicing; everyone who visited marveled and witnessed about the child.
That same God of miracle could make shepherd watch their flocks by night and impress a ruler to conduct census in winter; this winter Canadians and Iraqians went to polls. More so God would not share His glory with sun god. Mankind and the season testify to the wonders. Let’s join the multitude of angels in song of praise to God, “Glory be to God in the Highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.” For unto us a child is born, a Savior who is Christ. Except God opens our eyes we can’t behold His glory or hold forth to His peace. He will never forsake us or abandon us not even during the hard times of life. I pray that all would experience the revelation of God’s glory during this season. Wishing you all the joy of Christmas and fruitful New Year.
Elder Ogbonnaya can be reached by email:gkapin53@