CHRISTMAS – CELEBRATING THE SAVIOUR

Christmas time is one of the best times of the year. The feeling is so different. There is joy in the air, and people everywhere wish to celebrate. As Christians, we need to ask ourselves, “Where is the ‘Christ Child’ in the midst of all our celebrations?”

CHRISTMAS is CELEBRATING THE SAVIOUR, and not indulging ourselves in revelry of any kind. *When Christ the LORD is not the reason for any of our celebrations, then whatever is being celebrated in the name of “Christ’s birth” is not celebration at all, of what the LORD wanted us to celebrate.*

The reasons given by the Angel to the shepherds, in Bethlehem should be the focus of all our celebrations.
– “8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:8-11

What did the Angel of God announce to the shepherds? The angel said unto them…
– “Fear not…”
– “…for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy…”
– “…which shall be to all people.”
– “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour…”
– “…which is Christ the Lord.”

The focus of our celebrations should be two fold. 
1- “FOR UNTO ‘US’ IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOUR.” 
Now the question is, “Who needs a Saviour?” Only the one who is in trouble, in problems, in struggles and in storm. We have to come to this realisation that, the Savioir is born for me, and to save me from my sins and my destruction.

2- “WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD”
The Saviour who is born for me, and the redemption of my sins, so that I would not die, but live because of the LORD Jesus Christ, should prompt us to acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ as our LORD. LORD is not the same as the Saviour. LORD owns us, and everything that belongs to us. ONLY when we learn to surrender ourselves to the LORD, and commit ourselves to trusting Him completely, and obeying Him implicitly, is when the Christ Child is truly celebrated.

How are we placed this morning? What kind of celebrations are being planned for this Christmas? What place is the LORD Jesus Christ given by us? Is He at the very heart of all our celebrations? Or, are we merely making Him the “poster” of our Christmas, but do all whatever we wish to do? It is good to pause and ponder dear friends. Even so, the LORD help us.