FINDING MEANING TO CHRISTMAS
There is no uncertainty
that the deepest attachment of Christmas to man can be the highest detachment to
God almighty. To break this statement into a more simple language, our
Christmas would never make meaning if we have not opted to view and apply the
celebration of Christmas as from Gods perspective. Hence, what are our
already desired thoughts to Christmas this year? Are they of good or of bad?.
It should interest us that no matter what/how it might be, if there is no understanding
to the genesis and meaning of Christmas, celebrating Christmas is thus
meaningless.
Christmas without Christ is Christmas without a
cause. Many years ago, I was
meant to believe that Charismas is a time to get new clothing, a time to eat
and drink to the fullest. A time to visit places like zoo’s, wild life parks, museums,
PRTV, NTA among several other recreational activities. I was meant to believe
that the season of Christmas is a time to say ‘happy Christmas’ to
somebody and expect money in return, if need be, go from houses to houses ‘aiming
at money’ in the name of happy Christmas. Though it is not bad, but, is
that the true meaning of Christmas? That should be a celebration of the new
born king without an encounter. It is indeed
period without understanding what Christmas really meant. But now, I realize
that even though Christmas is a moment of celebration, it must have to be
celebrated with meaning. And this meaning
can only be actualized when we give positive answers to certain germane questions
as to whom this new born king is; a reason
for commemorating Christmas. These illustrations above were my
thoughts, and many people are still holding to these thoughts among several
others as reasons for Christmas. If
these are not the true reasons for Christmas, what then is Christmas? What is the real meaning of Christmas?
In our today’s world, Christmas is coined to be
something different. It is a time when evil and frivolous activities are on the
increase. It is a time when many people visit their churches for the first time
in a year. It is a time when many people have to travel to their villages for
the first time in a year. It is a time when people wash their carpets for the
first time in a year. It is a time when people eat and drink to satisfy their
bellies. It is a time when the Church is filled to capacity. It is a time when
people visit places like zoo, people’s houses, wild life parks, amusement parks
or even museums. It is a time when people will say ‘happy Christmas’ to expect money in return. It is a time when
people compete on who will first finish plenty bottles of alcoholic drinks. It
is a time when people make their hairs for the first time in a year. It is a
time when people opt for new shoes, dresses and do all sort of make-ups. If
all these are they thoughts of many people about Christmas, is it truly the Christmas?
If no, what then is the real meaning of Christmas?
Christmas is an annual commemoration
of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday celebrated generally
on the 25th of December, yearly. It’s a red-letter-day that must remain
indelible in our lives as Christians. The Gregorian calendar is not complete if
25th December is not given due recognition, hence, the birth of Christ must be
highly recognized in our lives. Of a truth, ‘Christmas celebration will never make meaning if we have not received and
recognized Jesus Christ into our lives’. About 60% and above of people who
celebrate Christmas, celebrate it without understanding the meaning of
Christmas. They celebrate it blindly because people are equally celebrating.
They eat because people are eating. They practice lust instead of love and
later get lost, and at the end of the day, they call it the spirit of Christmas.
To understand what this Christmas means,
we must have to answer some very momentous questions even after painstakingly
illustrating these questions below. We must have to access these questions as
from our own point of view. They are germane questions and must be answered
accurately.
How was Jesus Christ Conceived and Born?
Several of people today were born in the
best hospitals in town, for some others, arrangements are made for them to
travel abroad to be born. But for Jesus Christ that was not the case. Even
after he was conceived through the Holy Spirit to a virgin called Mary, he was
very much targeted to be killed by a human king. The bible introduced us in Matthew
1:18 that “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary
was pledged to be married to Joseph but before they came together, she was
found to be with child through the Holy Spirit”. How can the Doctors of today explain this kind of scenario? That
is, no union between a virgin man and a virgin woman and then a child is said
to be conceived to the virgin woman through the Holy Spirit. What a mystery!, a
mystery that even the specialized Doctors cannot have factual answers to. After
this mystery, there comes a mystifying situation surrounding His Birth, He was
born in a manger. ‘And she gave birth to
him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn’ (Luke 2:7 KJV).
The NIV version says, ‘….because there was no guest room
available for them’.
 |
| Jesus Christ with Mary and Joseph in a Manger.. |
Jesus birth took
place in a stable, surrounded by farm animals. That is, in a manger (a feeding
trough). What a birth of the Master! What do we have to say as regards his
birth that took place in a feeding trough? It counts on us to answer this
question before celebrating this year’s Christmas. The circumstances of Jesus
birth had never changed His mission nor had it changed the mandate of God for
him. All that his birth was
associated with was to the glory of God, and it implies that wherever we are
coming from or the situation surrounding us today, we can be whatever and
wherever God wants us to be.
 |
| Jesus in a Manger. |
But the big question to answer this season of
Christmas is that, do you have place for Jesus Christ in your heart?, have you created room for Jesus in your
heart?, have you opened your heart for Jesus Christ even while He His at the
door knocking?. It should be of our interest to know that Christmas is
a time to create room for Christ in our hearts. It’s a time to be happy and
rejoice for the birth of our new born king. The birth of Jesus has brought us
good news and we have to spread it out to the world. In order for us to enjoy this season
of Christmas, we must accept the good news of Christ birth and create room for
him in our lives. It is true that Jesus was born in the manger, but how can it affect and change our perspectives
to life?, a question that must not be left unanswered this season of Christmas.
How did Jesus Christ Grew?
Many people did not grow to understand
what Christmas meant. They grew to know that Jesus was born, and that is all.
They never followed the example of the new born king by following in His steps.
If not until you know how Jesus grew, you will not have a better meaning to why
Christmas is celebrated. Jesus grew to understand the business of His Master.
At the age of twelve, he knew what it meant to be busy doing God’s business. He
identified his purpose and started to carry out his responsibility at that age.
“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom and the grace
of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40). Jesus was not strong for nothing, for
he uses it doing what was right. He grew to apply his wisdom doing the fathers
business. ‘And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I
must be about my father’s business?’ (Luke 2:49).
 |
| Jesus in the Temple teaching. |
The father’s
business is doing God’s work. Christmas is not a time to gossip, it’s a time to
do Gods work. It is not a time to use our strength to waste in
party/disco-halls; it’s a time to tell people about the essence of Christmas.
It’s a time to tell people about the birth of Christ and how he grew in stature.
‘And Jesus increase in wisdom and
stature, and in favour with God and man’ (Luke 2:52). Christmas today is
turn to be finding favour with men, a favour that will lead nowhere. Growth is inevitable, and we must learn to
follow the pattern of Jesus, for that is the only way to reach the heavenly
father. If truly we knew how Jesus grew, we would grow to become like Jesus,
and this Christmas will be meaningfully celebrated. Have you begin your step with Jesus Christ or you have not yet
started?, a question that must not be left unanswered this season of Christmas.
Why was Jesus Christ Born?
Jesus was born
for a purpose. As Jesus was born for a purpose, so are we. Every one of us was
born for a purpose and with a purpose. Jesus
was born because He is the only redeemer who has come to redeem us from our
sins. Even though his birth was surrounded with circumstances that we might
feel not to believe in him, it is very interesting to know that he is the only
way to reach the heavenly father. Jesus was
born to rescue us from our sins. “Coming up to them at that very moment, she
gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to
the REDEMPTION of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). Some bible version like NLT says
‘…..been waiting expectantly for God to RESCUE Jerusalem’. He was born
so that we can believe in Him, and we must have a reason to believe in Him.
 |
| Jesus rescuing the helpless. |
Jesus Christ was
born to save us from sin. He is our savior. “For unto you is born this day in
the city of David a SAVIOUR, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). It
is very insightful to note that we are all born with a purpose. Have you ever
asked yourself this question that ‘Why am I born to this planet earth? Am I born
to only go to Church on Christmas day for the first time in a year? Or just to
sit and eat and drink till my stomach is filled? Am I born to just go around
doing frivolous activities coupled with immoral acts on Christmas day? If not
until you know why Jesus Christ was born, you will not be able to celebrate
this Christmas very joyously. In short, you will celebrate it meaninglessly. It is not enough to know who you are, find
why you are. Have you known why you are born?, a question that must not be left
unanswered this season of Christmas..
Where are you leading yourself this
Christmas Day?
Everybody is
entitled to lead himself where he wishes, but if where he wished to be is not
approved by God, he will lead himself somewhere unimportant. Every man has a
star to lead him somewhere; we must have to follow the star till it reaches the
end. You may not know where the star leads, but with God, you will reach the
desired end God wants you to reach. Immediately Jesus was born, the message
went to the shepherds through the angel to go and visit and worship the new born
king.
 |
| The Three wise men ridding to were Jesus was born. |
They followed
the star even when they do not know where it will lead then until it stops at
where Jesus was born. “..the star, which they saw in the east,
went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When
they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy”. (Matthew 2:9b-10).
So many people have not identified theirs stars nor have they even known where
their stars will lead them. God is the only man who can direct us to the
desired end.
 |
| The three wise men rejoicing with Joy. |
Many people have
already make plans on how to spend this year’s Christmas. Some have make
arrangements on how to go and waste their precious time on un-useful things.
Some have booked the most expensive hotels to go and have a good but non-right
time with other of their friends. Some others have practice the dance they will
dance in the already booked party halls. Some have already gathered money that
will be used to spend on bottle of bears in goskolo joints. Are all these things
useful and pleasing to God? If no, the preparation for Christmas has not yet started.
We must allow God to lead us to the right place this Christmas season. We must
follow the voice of God, if not; we would be celebrating Christmas in vain.
Many people might have targeted your star, don’t worry, they will never stop
your star if you put your trust in God, for only God can make you shine, laugh
and rejoice with exceeding great joy at the exact time. But, when you do not
trust in God, it is credible to assert that people around you will see your
star and may destroy it before your own eyes. God expect us to go where it will
be pleasing to him. Lead yourself to where God will be glorified this year’s
Christmas. Where have you opted to go
this Christmas? a question that must not be left unanswered this season of
Christmas..
Do you have anything to offer to Jesus
Christ this Christmas?
The 3 wise men
did not only visited Jesus but they offered something precious (gifts) to the
new born king. They did not only offer precious gifts, but they offered good
worship to the new born king. What do you have to offer to this new born king
this year’s Christmas?. The bible says, “And when they were come into the house,
they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped
him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts;
gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.(Matthew 2:11).
 |
| The Three wise men offering gifts and worship to Jesus Christ. |
What do you have to
offer to Jesus Christ this Christmas celebration? That is why I said that, ‘If
you don’t have gold to offer to Jesus Christ, offer good worship, if you don’t
have frankincense, offer fervent fellowship and love for others, if you don’t
have myrrh to offer to Jesus Christ, offer your mellifluous (sweet-sounding)
body’. Also note that if you don’t have anything to give, you can give
yourself to Jesus. Offer yourself to the service of God can be the best way to
celebrate your Christmas this year. When
we offer our body to Jesus Christ, we would live to enjoy this year’s Christmas
with meaning. Instead of people to offer their bodies to God, they offer it cheaply
for immoral activities. God expect us to offer our body as a living sacrifice.
The only way to bring meaning to this year’s Christmas is to offer ourselves to
God Almighty. What have you prepared to
offer to this new born king this year? a question that must not be left
unanswered this season of Christmas..
How much love would you give this year’s
Christmas?
It was love that
made it possible for our almighty God to send His only begotten son (Jesus) to
save us from our sins. We must love as Christ loves. Love entails giving and
sharing. So therefore, we must share that which we have with others this
Christmas. We must learn to love other people this Christmas with sincerity.
The expenses that we opt to make, please we should include that of those who
cannot be able to afford. When we practice true love this Christmas, we would
make many people happy. We should meet a need this Christmas.
Therefore, we should find a need and meet it. Youths of today, have
devised ways to practice lust instead of love, a lust that leads to their lost.
If we must enjoy this Christmas, we must love with good motive and not with
wrong motive. Love is of the essence, and we must love to make this Christmas
lovely. How have you decided to love this year’s Christmas? a question that must not be left unanswered
this season of Christmas..
What is the lesson we should learn and
apply to our lives this Christmas season?
No matter what
lessons I would have illustrated here, it can never suit the one we would proffer
ourselves. Of a truth, if not until we have room for this new born king into
our lives, we are then commemorating this Christmas this day, we shall not live
to consider this Christmas very interesting. We must have Christ as our Lord
and personal savior.
After looking painstakingly at the
above germane questions, we must have to derive an essence for Christmas. What
have you already thought of Christmas?, have you thought of another routine and
normal Christmas?, have you thought of doing unholy things this year’s
Christmas again? How have you programmed your Christmas this year?. If this is
your reason, please pause, and check very properly before celebrating this
year’s Christmas. What then is Christmas?, has come to challenge us to celebrate a meaningful
Christmas. Therefore, we must realize that Christmas is a moment
of love and sharing. It is a moment of encounter that should be contagious. It
is a moment to find a star that should lead us to where God only designed it to
stop. It is a moment of renewal of the heart. It is a moment of opening our
hearts while Christ himself is standing at the door knocking very hard. It is a
moment of taking the good news of the new born king to the world. It is a
moment of joy and happiness. It is a moment of celebration. It is a moment to
grow to find favour with and God. We must bring light to this Christmas, and to
do that we must have Christ in us. Christmas
is a moment of reaching the unreached; like the poor, widows etc. Christmas is
a moment to care for those who are sick, a visit to the hospital can make a lot
of difference. And I can boldly say that ‘Christmas celebration without Christ is a waste of time’. Christmas
is come again, and we must celebrate it well. Never celebrate a Christmas
without meaning, for a meaningless Christmas is an unhappy Christmas. This
write up has come to stir our hearts on how to find meaning to this year’s Christmas
before celebrating. You must first know the new born king (Jesus) before you
can celebrate this Christmas very meaningfully. I can boldly conclude that, "Christmas celebration without Christ is a Christmas celebrated without a cause".
“God is
here. This truth should fill our lives, and every Christmas should be for us a
new and special meeting with God, when we allow his light and grace to enter
deep into our soul”. Josemaría
Escrivá
Happy Christmas and
prosperous Happy New Year to you all.
Written
By:
Samson O. Daniel
Contact E-mails: samsondan38@yahoo.com
Contact Numbers: 07065752517,
08179424767.
No comments:
Post a Comment