It is Christmas once again and it hardly seems as if a whole year has passed since the last one. Christmas is a very happy time of giving and receiving gifts, especially for little children. The lights and the decorations in the town centre are always a cheerful sight, and we love to hear the sound of carol singing round about us. It is a very enjoyable time for us as we get together to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Sadly for some, it is also a time of remembering loved ones who are no longer with us. Whilst respecting this sad fact in the lives of many, we would still wish each other happiness on life’s journey.

Let us consider what Christmas really represents and why we remember it so faithfully. Imagine a birthday party without the birthday boy or birthday girl being present; that party would have very little meaning apart from the noise. Likewise, there will be much noise this Christmas with little thought for the birth of the Son of God. I wonder how these words affect you, and if you are conscious of the great wonder of the time when God spoke to the world by sending His Son to live amongst us. Is the Son of God on your agenda this year?

There is a beautiful simplicity about that first birthday, when the Son of God came to give hope to a desperate world. All this was planned in eternity in the heart of God, and then foretold by prophets, as it is recorded in the Old Testament. There is a purity about the birth of Jesus, as He was born of a virgin, without sin.  Ordinary shepherds were told by an angel where to find this Child – the scene must have been amazing! Wise men, very able and intellectual men, came from distant lands following a star, to worship the Son of God. Previously, Mary had been told about this miracle by an angel. It is recorded in Luke 1.35, ‘And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God’. The place of birth was simple and pure, and yet the world would never be the same again as a result of what happened in that humble abode.
 
Most people are familiar with the carol ‘Silent night! holy night!. The words are beautiful and the tune unforgettable. I cannot imagine anyone disliking this carol as it touches our hearts and our souls. The last stanza is very helpful with regard to the Lord Jesus Christ:

Silent night! holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

If we compare this light from God in His Son Jesus Christ with all our little twinkling lights, we are bound to conclude that this was something special. This was the pure light and love from God, beaming radiantly in the face and the person of Jesus Christ. We must, however, take one step further and consider the enlightenment that happens to us when God speaks to the hearts of men and women. The carol goes on to speak of the ‘dawn of redeeming grace’. This sounds very nice, but what does it mean? The word ‘redemption’ means ‘to buy at great price’. This costly payment was made by the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross when He was punished for our sins. This is why He came: He came to help men and women to be right with God. Can there be a greater gift than the gift of forgiveness and acceptance with God?

This wonderful quest of God seeking our souls was set in motion by His birth. I trust that you will accept and believe this, or, at least, be willing to consider these truths about Jesus Christ. It is possible that you have come to agree with, and to understand, the issue but have not yet come to a relationship with God. The first thing you must do is to see your need of Him and to receive this forgiveness. Call on the Lord and, if your heart is truly prepared, He will help you to repent and exercise saving faith that will bring you to Christ

It may be that Christmas, for you, will bring to remembrance Christ’s coming to this world and of Christ coming to your soul. May God bless your immortal soul.