WHY DO WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS?
Lalthamuon Gangte @Hopejoy
Throughout the years, many people from different parts of the world celebrate the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December. During this season, multitudes of people from every corner of the globe aim to make this the most elegant and joyous time of the year through decorations, fairy lights, feasts, carols and gifts. While for some people, it’s the moment to spend time with families, friends and loved ones, while others exchange gifts, while for some it’s the moment to spend quality time or important activities regarding families, church or in the community, while some will spend this time of the year in merry and joyous moments while others in deep nostalgia and gloom. What is Christmas to you? Is our motive based on doing well to one another? Or something else. The reason why Christmas is celebrated is because of the birth of Jesus, who came into this world, born as a baby for ‘The Hope, Redemption and the Fulfilled Joy’ for you and me. Since it is a precious and an enthusiastic time for us, let us spend this moment with sincere joy in our hearts amidst the perilous and difficult time that we are facing.
Some ways Christmas is celebrated across the world.
In Japan, Christianity comprises only about 1% of the population however, they adorn their towns and homes in the most dazzling and festive way possible while exchanging elegant and prestigious gifts with one another. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is the main go to Christmas meal in Japan and some pre-ordered it two to three months in advance due to the fear of it being sold out. In some countries especially Vienna (Capital of Austria), Belgium, Netherland and Germany, they set up grand and glamorous “Christmas Markets” while crowds of foreigners and people from outside towns came together to spend a merry and jubilant time while drowning themselves in the festive spirit. In Burma, only 6% of the population are Christians amidst the larger population of Buddhist which is about 88%. Nevertheless, everyone regardless of faith, believers or non-believers, even the Buddhist show eagerness for this time of the year. People would wake up early in the morning caroling the streets, preparing snacks and handing out Bread, Hot beverages and Eggs. Here even in our home town, we adorn our homes, churches, towns and villages with the best dazzling and breathtaking décor we could find.
What is the main reason as to why we celebrate Christmas?
As we have discussed above, we celebrate Christmas in the most extravagant and festive way possible; however, there are a lot of people who are unaware of the reason for the season. Some of us might be carried away by the festive spirit celebrated by the whole world, or the coziness in this time of the year where one drinks the nectar of a year’s hard work. Nevertheless, Luke 2:11 says, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the lord.” We celebrate Christmas to show our joy for the birth of Jesus Christ, The only begotten Son of God whom God sent to redeem us from our sins and from our eternal damnation. The phrase here ‘A Savior has been born’ is written in a lot of Christmas cards. The birth of this ‘Savior’ is the reason why we celebrate and take delight in Christmas.
Why is a ‘Savior’ imperative to us?
To put it simply, we need a ‘Savior’ because we cannot save ourselves from the eternal death that will ensue for the punishment of our sins and transgressions. When God created man he gave him free will so that man might worship God out of his own choice. But that free will, instead of worshiping and glorifying God, was defiled when we were deceived by Satan by disobeying the Command that God gave to ‘Not eat’ the fruit at the heart of the Garden. And the wages of that sin is death, (Romans 6:23) and that is death, to be separated from God for eternity. But God in his grace and mercy showed his love by giving his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16) so that you and I, His beloved children would be reconciled back to Him. This is the reason why Christmas celebrations are enthusiastic and delightful.
1. For there is born- Incarnation
The reason for the incarnation of Jesus Christ is for the redemption of man, you and me, from our sins and from our eternal demise. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1&14
The real reason as to why Jesus Christ became flesh and bore the likeness of man is so that he would share the suffering of man and also redeem/purchase mankind who are under the law of sin in this world. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).
2. To you- Personalization
The phrase ‘To you’ was said to the shepherds, who during the time of the New Testament were considered people of lower value akin to that of harlots and prostitutes, people who are shunned and who herd the sheep of someone else to earn their daily wages just to get by. They were considered outcast and banned from entering synagogue, they were stomped upon to the point no one took their words even though they spoke the truth to plead their innocence. Regardless, the angel of the Lord appeared to them and said, Today in the town of David a Savior has been born ‘to you’; he is Christ the lord. Have you ever said to yourself that God has forgotten about me or that he doesn’t care anymore because of my sins or because I’m not successful in life or because I am detested by everyone? This message that the Angel brought is for everyone and not about whether someone is Jewish or Gentile.
3. This Day- Invitation
Why did the Angel of the Lord deliver that message in that exact time and day? For the sake of convenience we could say so that they (the shepherds) would make it to the place i.e. the town of David at that same evening. Even though the shepherds might be loathed and deemed as inferior in the eyes of the world, God destined them to be the first ones to welcome the birth of Jesus Christ. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Just like the shepherds who went to Jesus as he was born, God invites you to open your hearts and receive him, coming back to him without negligence during the time of favor that God is giving you. Today, a savior has been born for ‘you’ and ‘me’, Christ the Lord.
4. In the City of David- Fulfillment
The birth of Jesus Christ has been prophesized many times in scripture. Firstly, it was prophesized in Genesis 1:26 where God slaughtered a Lamb because of man’s sin, which later on is a representation of Jesus coming to this world to save you and me. Moreover, it was prophesized by many prophets between one thousand and seven hundred BC. The prophet Micah prophesized that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Messiah. Not only did the gospel of Luke say that Jesus would be born from the lineage of David, but also in Bethlehem “The city of David”. The main reason why the Israelites were eager for this moment was because they thought that the Messiah would liberate them from the draconian Roman Government.
5. A Savior- Salvation/Redemption
“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” John 1:11. The Israelites thought that the ‘Savior’ Jesus Christ would have a prestigious birth filled with glamour, and that He would sit on the throne of David, Annihilating the powerful regime of the Roman Government for the liberation of his chosen people, the Israelites. The Israelites saw Jesus through the lens of the carnal world and as a result, were oblivious to the fact that the ‘Savior’ was born to save us from the eternal death that was destined for you and me.
6. Who is Christ the Lord- Identification
According to the Jews, their belief regarding the Messiah means someone who purchases, saves/liberates, and uplifts. And in the gospel of Mark they said, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’” In the Old Testament, the priest would anoint the king with oil. The book of Hebrews says that the Messiah means ‘High priest’. The impression of the Jews in view of the Messiah is that the Messiah would be born with elegance and splendor akin to that of royalties and nobility, sit on the throne of David and bring world peace. However, in order to save you and me, Jesus Christ chose a humble and lowly birth. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10.
How do you spend Christmas in the years gone by? God sent his one and only son Jesus Christ because of his love and grace to save you and me from eternal death as a consequence for our sins. And although the shepherds might be people who earn their daily bready by herding sheep while being abhorred and stomped upon, they were the first to receive God’s favor, and their story will reverberate throughout generations even to the end of the ages. Just as it was said to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the lord.” Let us also welcome the birth of baby Jesus and open our hearts to accept and receive that He is our ‘Savior’ born for you and me, the redemption for our eternity. May God bless you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2.
***Wish you a Merry Christmas ***
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