THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMAS

By REVEREND TONY ZEKVELD

What is Christmas? What is its message? I have many people ask me that question. I don’t fault them because what people see and what it actually is are two different things. It’s not about Santa Claus or Christmas trees. It’s not even about gifts or lights. This is what you see. Christmas has been commercialized.

So what is Christmas? The name Christ is in Christmas. Sometimes you see the word ‘Xmas” which is like putting an ‘X’ through Christ, whether done intentionally or not. But ‘Xmas’ conveys what you see. Christ is cut out of the celebration.

At Christmas, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He was born in a manger in an animal shed in Bethlehem. Why? Bethlehem was overcrowded with people. Caesar Augustus, emperor of Rome at that time, about 2500 years ago, made a decree that the whole world should be registered. Everyone had to travel to his birthplace to register for the census. Joseph and Mary, who were from Bethlehem, had to travel from their home in Galilee. When they came to Bethlehem, she gave birth to her Son. Because there was no room in the inn, Jesus was laid in a manger in a stall.

He was born in humble circumstances: no crib for a bed and only swaddling cloths as His clothes. Few took notice of His birth. Just like today – few take note of what Christmas is all about.

But the heavens responded that night with great joy! An angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in a field that night who were looking after their flock of sheep. The angel shared the good news with them about the birth of the Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Then the heavens lit up with the glory of God, and many, many angels were singing and praising God. To simple shepherds, those looked down upon by society, God sent angels to share the good news of the birth of Jesus. And the shepherds spread the news all around!

The birth of Christ is an event in history. It really happened, about 2500 years ago. You can read about it in the Holy Bible, in the Gospel of Luke chapter 2.

So why was Jesus born? God’s message to us in His birth is what makes the celebration most special. His name was not chosen by Joseph or Mary. This name was given by God, and Joseph was instructed to call His name JESUS. Jesus means “Savior” in short. God said, “For He will save His people from their sins.

He was the promise of all the ages. He was the promised Savior for all the world. God is faithful to His promise! He did what He said!

So who is Jesus? He is God’s Son. As Son, He always was. He is God. He never was created. He was there before the world began. Through Him, the world was created. Those words at His birth “and there was no room for Him” are all the more startling, knowing this.

He, being God, became man. In doing so, He did not cease to be God, but in His love, He took to Himself a human body like ours, except without sin. He was not conceived in the same way we are conceived with a father and mother. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in a miraculous way, and born of the Virgin Mary.

He was conceived and born this way because He was able do what no person can ever do and that is save people from their sins. Only He can conquer sin, death and Satan. And He did by dying and rising again from the dead on the third day. In His love, He poured out His life by being born in a manger and, ultimately, thirty years later, He poured out His life unto death on the cross for the sins of all who believe in Him. To all who believe in Him, the Bible says, “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

Now we understand the humble circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. On the manger lay also the shadow of the cross. The good news of Christmas is that Jesus was born in order to die for the sins of all who believe on Him. And all who believe on Him, God truly forgives and gives to them life eternal.

The word ‘merry’ in Merry Christmas’ has many connotations, depending with whom you talk. For many it means parties, drinking, and laughter. Among family and friends, I prefer the phrase “Blessed Christmas” for Jesus, the Son of God, came to bless all who trust in Him. He came to give His life to bring forgiveness and healing.

Behind the mask of ‘merry-making’, there is much sadness, grief and crying. There is must loss and pain. There is hopelessness and despair. Jesus knows your need. He came to do something about it. And He did. He calls us to trust Him. He truly forgives and He truly cares. He came to cure the root of our misery which is our sin and bring full salvation from it.

If you want to talk more, feel free to phone or text me at 416-740-0543. My name is Pastor Tony. Our email is hopecentre@primus.ca and website: www.hopecentrebrampton.com.

Have a blessed Christmas!

HOPE TRIUMPHS

THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMAS