CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN A DATE

1. CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN A DATE, it is God’s offer of PEACE and RECONCILIATION to all men through Jesus Christ, “To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” [2 Corinthians 5:19] Those who focus on one DAY or argue DATES miss the MESSAGE of CHRISTMAS; the GOOD NEWS of SALVATION through Jesus Christ. Another CHRISTMAS is round the corner, before making plans for the festive period, I encourage to LOOK through the EYES of WISDOM, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came WISE MEN from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR in the east, and are COME TO WORSHIP HIM” [Matthew 2:1-2] Have you ever wondered why they were called WISE MEN? I will tell you, they SAW what King Herod and Priests in Jerusalem did not SEE. They SAW the STAR, FOLLOWED the STAR and became the first men to celebrate CHRISTMAS. 

2. The story of CHRISTMAS is the MYSTERY of God taking on the frame of man to RECONCILE us to Himself through Jesus Christ, “And without controversy great is the MYSTERY of godliness: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” [1 Timothy 3:16] The STAR the WISE MEN saw was the revelation of MYSTERY of God manifest in Jesus Christ. They left everything thy had behind to FOLLOW the STAR in HOPE of SEEING God manifest in FLESH and were not ashamed. They travelled over a thousand kilometers not wavering in FAITH, their EYES and HEARTS aligned with the STAR as GPS. Friend, the same STAR beckons to you today more than at any other time, for “We have also a more SURE WORD OF PROPHECY; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the DAY STAR ARISE IN YOUR HEARTS” [2 Peter 1:19] If you will BELIEVE that God was in Jesus Christ RECONCILING the world to Himself by way of the Cross, the DAY STAR shall arise in your HEART and order your steps in the path of SALVATION.

3. Whereas the MESSAGE of CHRISTMAS is SALVATION to all men, PROOF of CHRISTMAS is TRUE WORSHIP, “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] CHRISTMAS is much more than eating and drinking, it is a time of sober reflection, a time to return to God through Jesus Christ in selfless WORSHIP. Another CHRISTMAS is round the corner, come to Jesus Christ today with a REPENTANT heart and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour. If you are in Him who gave His life for us, another CHRISTMAS is an opportunity to cement your FAITH in TRUE WORSHIP and present yourself a LIVING SACRIFICE, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: but be ye TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” [Romans 12:1-2] Though it seems there is no end to our present travails, we are assured of glory at His appearance. WISE MEN of old saw the BABY, we shall SEE Him in fulness of glory, “Beloved, now are we the SONS OF GOD, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS” [1Jo 3:2]