“For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 (KJV)
Many of us can testify that as sinners, we were so involved and consumed in the dark world of fun and frolic that we had little or no time with either Christ or church.
During the Easter, Christmas, and Old-Year’s Night celebrations, we paid token visits to the church building and endured the church service and Gospel singing. We impatiently heard (not listen to) the Word of the Officiating Minister while our minds took a vacation to the carnal plans we had of partying and other works of the flesh. We allowed our sinful nature to prioritise the secular over the sacred. At best, we were religious-pious on Sunday and wicked throughout the week.
Moreover, we only remembered God when we were going through crises that were brought about by our godless decisions. Some of us repented, and even in our sinful state, God answered our prayers only to see us ungratefully crawl right back into the hole of captivity. Others presumptuously blamed God for the repercussions received for wicked deeds, while others should have been dead, but ‘by the grace of God were saved through faith’ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
As the world prepares to distort and miniaturise the celebration and commemoration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ by using the pagan imposition of Santa Claus, reindeer, trolls, Christmas trees, and fairy lights, let us remember that Jesus, the Saviour, is the reason for the season. He is the Light of the world (John 8:12), and by extension, we are also light in this troubled world as declared by our Saviour King (Matthew 5:14).
Brethren, in our Holy Bible, the spiritual symbol of light has always been a symbol of holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope, and God’s revelation. By contrast, darkness has been associated with evil, sin, and despair. As servants of the most High God, Jehovah, let us remember that we “…are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called” us “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1st Peter 2:9 – ESV).
As we celebrate Christmas, let the light of Christ that shines through us permeate the darkness of evil in our families, neighbourhoods, places of employment, and nation. Saints have a Christ-centered Christmas.
Read: Isaiah 54:10; Romans 5:8
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 142; Revelation 4; Esther 6; Esther 7; Esther 8
