i.to elucidate on the importance of Christmas to the world and,
ii. to teach the value of sanctity over the secular celebration of Christmas.
Christmas simply means the celebration of the worship of Christ at His birth. The song “O come all ye faithful…” by John Francis Wade (1841) expatiates on the triumphant joy of the world, when Christ was born, and thus calls for the worship of Christ. The value of Christmas to the Christian world can never be underrated as it is a time of showing love to one another through gifting, and a time of joyful celebrations. The heavens rejoiced at the birth of Christ and extended the joy to the shepherd who in turn extended the joy to the world around them. (Luke 2:8-17). In our generation, various joyful vibes, tunes, classical and contemporary music, fireworks, dances, plays, ecstatic rejoicing and holidaying always herald Christmas. However, our guides will beam more light on the right focus of Christmas.
1. What does Christmas means to you and what is the value to you as a Christian? Joh 3:16; Rom 5:8; 1Joh 4:9.
2. Analyse the various ways by which Christmas is celebrated in your community. From your analysis, what is/are the physical, spiritual, social and of course economic importance of Christmas to the world?
3. What are some of the focus in Christmas period, and what should it be? Luke 2:10, 15-18.
4. It is obvious in our generation to see Christians organising party and other celebrations in Christmastide. How many people attended the worship in your congregation today? How prepared are we to make the worship of Christ the focus of Christmas?
As we continue in our race to the Kingdom of God, let us continuously ponder on how better to make Christmas a time to worship Christ and make Him known to the world around, with a view to the spread of the joy of salvation. As we celebrate today, may we live to celebrate more in Jesus’ name.
Christmas should be to you a celebration of and worship of Christ not worldliness.
"Oh, come, all ye faithful; Joyful and triumphant!
Oh, come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him; Born the King of angels;
[Chorus] Oh, come, let us adore him 3x Christ, the Lord”.
John Francis Wade (1841)