If
you ask people - such as adults, youths, older or younger children - “What
Is Christmas?”, you will then, undoubtedly, receive many answers.
The answers may be:
CHRISTMAS
IS: When Jesus was born in
a stable, because Mary and Joseph could not find any lodging.
CHRISTMAS
IS: When families buy
gifts for one another.
CHRISTMAS
IS: When baking cookies
and Christmas Pastry.
CHRISTMAS
IS: When you go to church
and enjoy a Christmas Musical.
CHRISTMAS
IS: When Santa Claus comes
down from the chimney and brings many gifts.
CHRISTMAS
IS: When families get
together in someone's home and enjoy the Christmas festivities.
CHRISTMAS
IS: When we remember the
good times of past Christmases.
CHRISTMAS
IS: When you remember with
tears the loved ones that are no longer living on earth.
CHRISTMAS
IS: When you remember a
loved one - spouse, son, daughter, mother, father, aunt, uncle, cousin,
etc. - that is serving in the country’s military and they cannot be home
for Christmas.
CHRISTMAS
IS: Etc.
WHAT
IS CHRISTMAS TO ME?
The
foregoing sentences convey sentiments and much truth about Christmas.
However,
Christmas began a long time ago.
Genesis 1:26 tells me:
“And
God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the foul of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth.”
A
long time ago, while reading the passage in Genesis
1:26, my heart rejoiced because I
realized that Jesus, the Saviour of the world, was part of the Holy Trinity
at the Creation of the world and mankind. Genesis
1: 1 and 2 tells us that the Holy
Spirit hovered over the vastness of the gloomy world and brought life to
this global existence. What a phenomenal Creation our wonderful God -
in the Holy Trinity - brought into existence!!! (Genesis,
Chapter One)
Recently
(December, 2001) I shared with several persons that God loves us very
much. You see, God had no intention to be separated from mankind;
however, through disobedience (don't
blame Eve alone - read Genesis,
Chapter Three), the first couple
lost the privilege of remaining in paradise.
I
and you may say, “human nature is human nature.” That is true.
However, God had a wonderful plan to unite mankind unto Himself.
Why
state “Christmas began a long time ago?” The history of the Holy
Scripture and the convictions of hearts and lives tells us that God exists
and that the intent of Christmas began long ago! I
am glad that God did not give up on mankind after Adam and Eve had disobeyed
the Heavenly Father. Throughout the ages, God was weaving a most
glorious tapestry for us. Its color was not of the color of silver or
gold. Its value is more precious than the “Hope Diamond.” (Acts
17:29) The color for the big
picture was and is Calvary’s
Crimson Flow that was powerful when Christ died on the cross; and continues
to bring hope and healing to the world today.
Indeed,
throughout history, Jesus’ coming as a babe in the manger was foretold in
the Old Testament
and in the New Testament.
In
the Old Testament,
God is the King of kings; He is our Wisdom; He is our Song; He is our
Ever-faithful God; He is our Counselor; He is our Prince of Peace; He is
our Refuge, etc.
In
the New Testament,
Jesus is: The king of the Jews; He is the Son of Man, He is the Son
of God, He is the Saviour of the world; He is the righteousness of God; He
is the head of the church; He is our Joy; He is our Faith; He is our Hope;
He is the Truth; He is our coming King.
Reference:
Click Sixty-Six
Books of the Bible
Are
you glad that the Provision of our Holy God provided for mankind to some day
walk with Jesus in the Glorious Eternity?
Reference:
Click
Dreams
and Visions - #1
Indeed,
the remembrance of Christmas can be celebrated all year long.
Why? Because it is the desire of a Holy God to reconcile mankind to
Himself. (Galatians
4:1-7) It is the desire of
God that His children walk in obedience to Him, and that our hearts yearn
for Christ’s Return. (I
Thessalonians 4:16-18)
Yes,
the Christmas Season is a beautiful time of the year. It is a time for
remembering the joy and/or pain of the heart, and to cope with the hassle of
preparing the yuletide activities. Enjoy the Christmas Season, and I
shall remember all year long why Jesus left the Splendor of Glory for
mankind! Johanna
