IN DEFENSE OF CHRISTMAS
TEXT:
"For with God nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1 verse 37, King James Version).
I'm aware that very many people have their reservations about the celebration of Christmas. While some have issues with the date, others feel that Christmas has some pagan connotations and as such, it shouldn't be celebrated by the Church. But to me, the yearly celebration of Christmas all around the world is something to ponder on. In spite of whatever reservations there's about Christmas, one thing stands out: the Lord Jesus Christ is remembered in this season world wide.
One may ask about the significance of remembrance. Does the Lord Jesus desire to be remembered? Emphatically, yes! While instituting the Holy Communion in Luke 22 verse 19, He specifically instructed the Church to celebrate the ordinance "in remembrance of me." See also 1st Corinthians 11 verses 24 to 25. In His Omniscience, the Lord knew that the world and particularly the Church could relapse and forget Him, the reason for His coming and what He did for us. Therefore, as the world celebrates Christmas, we remember the Lord Jesus, particularly His birth.
Talking about the birth of the Lord Jesus, something strikes me, which I want to share with you. His virgin birth reminds me that with God, nothing is impossible. Luke 1 verse 37, the Scripture reading for today was a statement by angel Gabriel to convince Mary about God's ability to do all things. The New International Version rendering of it is very interesting. It says,
"For no word from God will ever fail.”
The Easy-to-read Version puts it this way,
"God can do anything!”
This is absolutely beautiful. The virgin birth of Jesus is something out of the ordinary. Only God could achieve that feat! The Lord's virgin birth is a miracle that had never happened before and would never happen again. But the point I'm making is that "God can do anything", as the Easy-to-Read Version puts it. When angel Gabriel informed Mary that she would conceive in her virgin state, she believed the Word told her by the angel saying "... Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." (Luke 1 verse 38).
The celebration of Christmas should therefore serve to remind us that whatever we may be asking God for is achievable because "God can do anything". Like Mary, our faith in God's Word should be steadfast. It's commonly said that except sin, what God cannot do does not exist. But I say further that if what you want from Him does not exist, He's ready and able to create one for you! This is what Christmas celebration should serve to remind us of.
More than these, I see the celebration of Christmas as a matchless tool for evangelism. Andrew Wommack, writing about Christmas as it relates to America said, "I've come to appreciate the positive side of Christmas much more. In a culture that has become increasingly secular, where it is politically incorrect to even mention the name of the Lord lest we offend someone, I think it's awesome that Christmas brings some of the greatest truths of the Gospel to light in public. Our roots as a Christian nation are showcased" (Andrew Wommack, Lessons-From-The-Christmas-Story)
I'm in complete agreement with him. As we celebrate Christmas, the unbelievers around us get to hear about Jesus, His virgin birth and what He's done for mankind. This is good evangelism, I think.
I drove through some streets of Kaduna city this evening, being the 24th of December, 2024 and I saw the beautiful Christmas decorations at the major roundabout in the city. No doubt such a gesture sends a striking evangelistic message about Jesus to the host of unbelievers in the city.
As we celebrate Christmas this year, may we never lose track of these things that I've endeavored to share with us.
Merry Christmas in advance!
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for the virgin birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that You help me to celebrate this Christmas in honor of the Lord Jesus, who's the Reason for the season.