Article written by Pastor Tan Kok Beng

25 December, 2022

THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
(Christian Living 4)



CHRIST is the reason for this season, not Santa Claus or Christmas Trees. It is the coming of  Christ into the world that made Christmas possible as the season of hope and joy. On announcing the Birth of Christ to the shepherds on the hillside, the angel said, “Fear not, for I bring you good tidings of great joy; for unto you is born this day, a Saviour Who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). The Birth of Christ is “good tidings” because it is the good news of joy. Joy replaces fear which is part and parcel of the human experience. There is joy because a Saviour is born – the Saviour who comes to bring the joy of salvation. The angel instructed that the child to be born should be called “Jesus, for He shall save His people from all their
sins” (Matt.1:21). The Name “JESUS” actually means “God of Salvation”. The Bible says, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Christmas is a time a of joy because Jesus the Saviour brings the joy of salvation through the forgiveness of sins to all who believe.

Why is Jesus the only Saviour? The angel tells us why: He is “Christ the Lord” from Heaven. Christ is the divine Name meaning “Messiah” or “Anointed King”, which in Old Testament prophecies imply that the God of Heaven would come to earth one day to rule as King. One day in the Millennium, Jesus will set up His Kingdom on earth and rule the nations with a rod of iron. But for now, He is the Saviour for all those who will believe. No man on earth can be “Saviour” because “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom.3:23). Hence
only Christ the Lord can be the Saviour of the world. He is the Hope of the world.

The Choir of angels from Heaven sang after the initial announcement of the Saviour’s birth: “Glory to God in the highest and Peace on earth among those with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Notice that PEACE will come on earth to “the people in whom He is pleased”. The Bible says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Heb.11:6). In other words, one must believe that Jesus Christ the Lord came to earth to be our Saviour by dying on the Cross as the sacrifice for our sins. He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Hence the promise of God is: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). God is pleased with those who believe and will give them peace.

It would be a great tragedy
indeed to have celebrated Christmas all our lives and not experience the joy, hope and peace Christ brings by not believing in Him as Lord and Saviour of our life. There are millions of people in the world today who celebrate this season with parties, merry-making and feasting, giving and receiving presents but neglect to be thankful to the Christ Who came to save sinners. May we not make this mistake and live to regret eternally when we face God’s judgment one day. Believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved!


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