What
Christmas Means to Christians
Christmas has become a time of
commercialization and greed. To others, it is merely a time to visit
family and friends, exchange greetings and gifts, and enjoy a bounteous
meal. But what does Christmas really mean? What does it mean to you?
The answer can be found only in the truths of the
Christian faith
and only in the pages of the
Bible. What does Christmas mean to
Christians? Four key words will reveal the answer.
1.
Joy
2.
Hope
3.
Peace
4.
Salvation
JOY
First, Christmas means joy. The angel proclaimed to the shepherds
(Luke 2:10): “Fear
not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to
all people.”
This great joy is not the possessions of every person on
earth, this is quite obvious. The angel’s proclamation must be interpreted
in light of other Scriptures. The next verse (Luke 2:11) speaks of a “Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.” Those who share in the joy must also
share in the belief of the Savior.
The Joy that Christmas brings to the Christian is a joy the world
knows nothing about. The Bible speaks of it as
“Joy unspeakable and
full of glory” (I Pet 1:8)
1.
It is a present joy because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in
the heart of every Christian. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit
indwells believers, bringing peace and joy.
2.
It is future joy, because of the promise of eternal life with God
the Father, in whose presence is “fullness of Joy” (Ps 16:11)
3.
it is an
Unconditional joy, because it is not affected by
circumstances, place nor company. Consider the life of the Apostle Paul.
He was unjustifiably imprisoned in a Philippian jail, chained with
criminals and seemingly forsaken by God and man (Acts 16:24-25). Here
were bad circumstances, a bad place and bad company.
But here was also an
overflowing joy that expressed itself in praise ~ and song. How was this
possible for Paul, because he had personally met the Christ child of that first
Christmas and his life and destiny were changed forever.
Can this be said of Christians today. Why Not?
If not ?
HOPE
Second, Christmas means hope .
the purpose of Jesus’ coming was to bring hope to a people in despair.
Through the sin of Adam, the whole human race had plunged into a life of
sin and despair.
But the Christ of Christmas came, not only to be born the perfect
man, but to live the perfect life, fulfilling the law of God to
perfection, and to die as the perfect sacrifice for all of man’s sins,
He rescued man from the guilt and penalty of sin, and brought the light
of hope to a sin darkened world.
The Bible says (Rom 8:24-25). “for
we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man
seeth, why doth he yet hoe for? But if we hope for that we see not, then
do we with patience wait for it.”
This
hope sustains the Christian in this life and comforts him at the grave.
Because of Christ’s first coming. We have forgiven us of sin because
of God’s promises to come ( I Thess 4:13-18), we have hope and comfort
at the grave – the hope of eternity.
PEACE
Third, Christmas means peace. The angel announced (Luke 2:14),
“peace, good will toward men.” G.
Campbell
Morgan states that this literally means, "peace among men in whom He is
well pleased.”
The true peace of Christmas, by its very nature, is limited to
Christians only. Jesus said (John 14:27), “Peace
I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth,
give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid.”
Men
of the world dream and scheme for peace. But the only real peace, is that
which is in the heart of the Christian, and this is provided by the presence of
the Prince of peace, the Christ of Christmas.
Jesus said :”… in me ye might have peace, in the world ye
shall have tribulation : but be of good cheer; it have overcome the
world. Jo 16:33
SALVATION
Finally, Christmas means
salvation. The truth is that Jesus did not come just to be born, but
rather to die for the sins of the world.
The Bible declares that God demanded an adequate, perfect
sacrifice for sins. Since man, in his sinful state, was incapable of
providing such a sacrifice, God, in His infinite love and wisdom,
provided His own sacrifice in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus stated (Luke 19:10),
“For the Son of man is come to seek
and to save that which was lost.” Again He says
(Heb 10:5),
“Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou
prepared for me”.
The context of this passage in Hebrews proves beyond doubt that a
perfect sacrifice for sins was required, and that sacrifice could only
be provided by God in the flesh dying for sinful man. Salvation was the
main purpose behind the birth of the Christ Child.
The cradle at Bethlehem can never be separated from the cross at
Golgotha. The salvation of man was planned before the foundation of the
world, and was perfected and executed through the birth, life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ the Savior.
CONCLUSION
Only Christians know of this
salvation, for it is exclusive to those who hear and believe in Jesus
Christ and His finished work on the cross of Calvary. To the Christian,
Christmas means joy, hope, peace and salvation. The Christ of the
Christians, and only to Christians.
The words of Peter ( Acts
4:12) are still relevant today: “Neither is there salvation in any
other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved.”
1.
Knell at His manger
2.
Weep at His cross
3.
Rejoice at His empty tomb
4.
Wait for His promise to return
That
is the real story at Christmas. Repent of your sins and believe on the
on begotten son of God, Jesus Christ and you to will receive Joy,
Hope Peace And Salavation
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