The Message of Christmas
The holiday of Christmas carries an ancient and powerful message of hope (Hebrews 6:19), peace (John 14:27), and love (1 John 4:10); even when the world is troubled by conflicts and suffering. Too often, the true meaning is overshadowed by commercialism. People focus on buying gifts and decorations, missing the deeper spiritual significance: the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7) and the impact of His life and teachings.
The Good News
The story found in the Bible (Matthew and Luke) tells of Jesus’ humble birth.
The angel delivered “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10) This “good news” is the arrival of Jesus Christ, the promised Saviour. John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse sums up God’s immense love and the promise of eternal life offered through Jesus.
Salvation is crucial to Christmas. It acknowledges that humanity is lost, separated from God by sin, and in need of rescue. God, in His infinite love, sent His Son to Earth to pay the ultimate price for our sin through His death on the cross. By placing our faith in Jesus, we can be forgiven, made right with God, and given eternal life.
Our Response
The required response to this good news is faith and trust. This means accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour and committing our lives to following His teachings, living with love, kindness, and service toward others. This is a heartfelt commitment, not just an intellectual agreement.
In a world filled with darkness, the light of Christ’s love remains powerful. John 1:5 assures us: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Hope always prevails.
Living the Message: Witness and Renewal
The shepherds, upon hearing the good news, immediately went to see the newborn King (Luke 2:15-18). This urgency should inspire us to share this good news with everyone. Bible writers recorded Jesus’ story specifically so that future generations could believe and be saved (Luke 1:1-4; John 20:31). The Christmas message is meant to be proclaimed to the world.
Most importantly, the good news of Christ’s birth has the power to transform lives. The Christmas story is not a dusty memory; it is a vital, living message for today and for all time.
As we celebrate Christmas, we must strive to remember the core truth: God, out of immense love for the world, sent his Son, Jesus Christ, as the promised Saviour to offer forgiveness, salvation, hope, peace, and eternal life to all who believe and commit to following his teachings. By embracing the message of Christmas in its fullness — both accepting it and proclaiming it — we can inspire others and make a meaningful difference in the world.
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