We are in the yuletide season and the smell of Christmas is in the air as loud blaring Christmas carols from music shops and the sounds of knock-outs and different types of fireworks fill the air. Many spotlight places, shopping malls, banks, major streets, church buildings, hospitals, housing complexes, children playing grounds, and hotels to mention a few are wearing new looks; being beautifully decorated and adorned with colourful green, red, and gold materials finely draped. The different displays of Christmas lights in many forms and shapes at strategic places are a thing of beauty to behold. Homes are not left out of this; many homes are wearing new paint and old curtains have paved way for new ones. Christmas trees adorned with beautiful Christmas ornaments, lights and other decorations occupy conspicuous places in many homes. Everywhere is bubbling with activities; schools and churches have organized carol nights where beautiful Christmas carols are rendered. The influx of people at market places for their Christmas shopping and the sky rocketing prices of commodities are all part of it. Many parents have taken their children visiting “father Christmas” for gifts and individuals can be seen donning a variety of Christmas caps.

Christmas, an annual celebration that could be considered the most celebrated event worldwide has come to stay even though certain people claim its origin/celebration is from an ancient pagan god, has no Scriptural backings or that Jesus was not born on the 25th day of December. People are free to say whatever they like about Christmas and that is their prerogative; Romans 14:5!

However, for us who celebrate Christmas, December 25th is a day commemorating the day heaven kissed earth. As the name implies; Christmas, it is not about the celebration of any damned heathen god, but the “CELEBRATION OF JESUS CHRIST”; the Savior of the World. For us, this day which commemorates the coming of the God of all creation into the world; the one who gives snow like wool and scatters the hoarfrosts like ashes; (Psalm 147:16) is a day of joy and great rejoicing. Jesus whom we celebrate is the Word, the power and wisdom of God who garnished the sky with stars and splashed the sky with beautiful colours at sun set; His throne is surrounded by the rainbow and before it is a sea of glass like crystal; and out of which proceeded lightning and thundering and voices (Revelations 4:3, 5 & 6) therefore He is worth being celebrated with the most beautiful colorful ornaments, artifacts, decorations and clothing. The heavenly King who came to reconcile all lost souls back to God and through whom joy and peace is restored to the world is worthy to be celebrated joyfully in song and dance; with the most beautiful musical renditions and melodies telling the world the story of his birth as the angels did at the announcement of his birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:13-14.

Yet, as we celebrate, utmost care must be taken not to miss out on the very reason for the celebration which is God’s love for humanity. Christmas celebration is ALL ABOUT JESUS CHRIST; The LOVE OF God personified. HE IS GOD’S INESTIMABLE GIFT TO THE WORLD; JOHN 3:16. JESUS WAS BORN FOR YOU AND ME, TO SAVE US FROM SIN THAT WE MIGHT ALL BE FREE LUKE 2:71-79. We must tell the whole world about the great king who left His heavenly throne of glory to this sinful world and was made a sacrifice for our sins.

It is important in our celebration of Christmas that the person and character of Jesus is reflected by us in everything we do to celebrate His day. Jesus is humble, modest, peace loving, compassionate and holy. Our celebration should be done with great rejoicing, but in all modesty and not in extravagance of any sort. Spend wisely and within your capacity; no debt, avoid excessive drinking; drunkenness, drugs, and any form or violence. Christmas is a period to show love to others, not a day to display inordinate affection, or involve in sinful sexual acts because Christ who is being celebrated is Holy and sinless. It is not a day of opulent displays of wealth but a season of goodwill and charity; sharing gifts with others and visiting the less privileged. Most importantly, it is a season to tell others about JESUS; THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

The one who celebrates “True Christmas” is not him that sings the loudest and sweetest, it is not him whose house or church is the most beautifully decorated; but him who has given his life to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as his or her personal Lord and Saviour. Also, it is the one who in celebrating the world’s best gift gives gifts to the poor and needy out of love. Such an individual’s life shall be given a new face lift and he or she shall become beautifully decorated by Jesus the perfect designer and decorator and the original “Father Christmas”; giver of good and perfect gifts James 1:17.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ME TO YOU ALL.