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Understanding Christmas

We have been halfway through the Christmas season. Many of us must have gone through lot of Christmas seasons and I am sure we all have enjoyed them with our families and friends. Over the years, I realized that I can really enjoy Christmas when I understand the true meaning of Christmas. This year, I started digging deeper into the Bible to understand the real meaning of Christmas.

Reference from the Bible: Luke 1:67-79

This was the prophecy by Zachariah after the birth of his child John the Baptist. He was prophesying about the salvation that is going to be made available through the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is nothing but God implementing His plan of salvation for the world.

At this point of time in history, the people of Israel were under the bondage politically,
in darkness as there was no revelation (word) from the God for a period of 400 years,
they were going through shadow of death spiritually. Under this background came this prophecy as rain in the desert.

Christmas gives us a glimpse of God's character -
  1. He is interested to give freedom - Freedom from sin and enemies (v68)
  2. To empower the people (v69) - Jesus being the mighty and valiant helper, author of salvation, we can count on
  3. He fulfills His promises
  4. He remembers His covenant with us (v72)
  5. He carries out His covenant (v72)
  6. His heart is full of tender mercy (v78)
  7. He is loving (v78)
  8. He is kind (v78)
What is the purpose of God behind Christmas?
  1. It is to bring out freedom, deliverance and salvation to those who are in bondage, darkness and going through the shadow of death.
  2. Enable us to worship and serve Him without fear, in boldness and confidence.
  3. Enable us to serve Him in holiness.
  4. Enable us to walk in righteousness.
  5. To lead us into the way of peace - wholeness, lacking nothing and being complete in every aspect.
"To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him all our days." Luke 1:74,75
"To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:79
In summary, Christmas is the time to remember God's love, understand God's character and renew our covenant with God in response to His salvation.

Question to Ponder: Is it time for you to renew your covenant with God?

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