The Scriptures state that even before the creation of this world, God predestined the sacrifice of His only Son to save all people from eternal death. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Ephesians 4:6). This passage reveals that God, driven by His pleasure and will, orchestrated these events. As we celebrate Christmas with great joy and enthusiasm, it is important to set aside those who have commercialised this festival and focus on ourselves, who partake in its rituals.
The Good News From the Angel
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)
The message of the Good News is profound: Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for the sins of humanity, conquering death by rising again on the third day. Those who believe in Him also have the power to overcome death. This powerful message is proclaimed throughout the world, touching the hearts of many. However, within the community of believers, there exists a division. One sect embraces the good news with overwhelming emotion and joy, yet they hesitate to experience the transformative power of this message in their own lives. Instead, they place their hopes on witnessing transformations in the lives of others. This serves as a sobering reminder that true acceptance of the good news should prompt personal growth and change.
The news, as it stands, invites a fleeting moment of pleasure, yet it revolves around the elation derived from our deliverance. In times when David found himself bereft of this exultation, he petitioned God to restore to him the same jubilation he had once felt upon embracing Him as his refuge. To rekindle the joy of our salvation, it is imperative that we encounter that blissful state at least once. Those who lack such an experience sometimes confuse the superficial joy derived from earthly matters with the true joy that accompanies salvation.
Most individuals frequently mistake the pleasure they experience when their deepest desires are fulfilled for the true joy of salvation. This misconception often leads to unnecessary suffering, as they wrongly attribute every misfortune to their religious beliefs. In an attempt to regain their sense of joy, they engage in various ritual practices, inadvertently transforming the immeasurable grace of God into mere religious formalities. Similarly, the observance of Christmas has shifted from being a personal and meaningful experience to a mere festival.
Festival of Joy
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
Luke 2:10 (NIV)
The birth of Jesus brings an immense sense of joy to the world, captivating individuals from various perspectives. Those who embrace Jesus and His resurrection experience joy during this auspicious occasion by faithfully observing long-standing traditions. These customs encompass melodious carol singing, the enactment of the nativity play, the preservation of the manger scene, the gathering of multitudes for Christmas services, and extending invitations to nonbelievers to witness the awe-inspiring congregations, which are unlike anything witnessed during regular Sunday services. The festive display of the manger and elaborate decorations further enhance the jubilant atmosphere.
Once the birth of Jesus became a religious festival, it has been widely celebrated and considered on par with other religious festivals. As a result, people devote their time and resources to transform this auspicious occasion into a potential commercial platform. Event managers thrive by assisting individuals in organising birthday parties. The most sought-after items include decorative lights, decorative materials, attractive figurines, and of course, Christmas trees. Bakers witness a substantial increase in their production, as their daily dozens multiply into hundreds.
Above all, in order to involve children in the festivities, they have substituted Jesus with a fictitious character (with a name eerily similar to the prince of darkness) and truth with toys and dolls, along with traditional narratives, in an attempt to deceive the children with their falsehoods. It is indeed astonishing to witness even those who reject Jesus wholeheartedly receiving blessings from Santa Claus. Consequently, they have masked genuine joy with fabricated lies.
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
Romans 1:18-19 (NIV)
Peace To Those On Whom His Favour Rests
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
While the angel proclaimed the good tidings to the shepherds, the contingent of angels emphasized the specific nature of the peace that would be bestowed upon humanity. It was made clear that this peace would be granted exclusively to those upon whom God’s favour rests. Although salvation is available to all individuals and the joy of celebrating Christmas extends to everyone, the tranquillity of God is guaranteed only to those who have been favoured by Him.
This initial proclamation of the birth of the Christ the Lord reveals three distinct groups of people. The first group comprises those who have been saved yet are unable to fully experience the peace of God. The second group consists of a large community that joyfully celebrates Christmas without necessarily grasping the true reason for their joy. Lastly, there exists a select few who peacefully embrace the presence of God, cherishing His company during their earthly existence.
There Is No Difference In God’s Perspective
Our God’s love extends equally to all, but there may be a perception that some individuals receive a greater share of His peace than others. While the grace of God is accessible to everyone, this special favour is also attainable by each and every one of us. Otherwise, it would imply that God’s unconditional love is contingent upon certain conditions. Thus, how can it be that the peace of God is bestowed upon only a select few while the entire world rejoices in the birth of Jesus?
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile —the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Romans 10:12-13 (NIV)
It is evident from the above that God does not favour someone but He favours everyone. The same favour rests on the people who understand the love of God. The company of Angels announced this as a good news, that on people who love God, His peace prevails forever and ever.
The Peace Of God
While God bestows His grace upon all, only a select few are capable of maintaining the tranquility of God within them as they navigate the chaos and extravagance of the holiday festivities. Ironically, these chosen few are perceived as a greater threat to the celebration of Christmas than any anti-Christian elements. The profound peace that transcends all human comprehension is possessed by a privileged minority, while others strive to overcome the confines of conventional falsehoods.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
In the Old Testament, we witness the prophets who always dwell in the presence of God, setting themselves apart from the allurements of the world. The confident Prophet Elijah the Tishbite, fearlessly proclaimed to King Ahab that his allegiance was solely to God, refusing to serve any other. By faithfully serving the living God, Elijah possessed the power to halt the rainfall upon King Ahab’s kingdom for three years. Similarly, John the Baptist resided in seclusion, amidst the wilderness, seeking the presence of God, refraining from mingling with the civilised populace who reject God’s existence, succumbing to sinful pursuits.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
To experience the unparalleled glory of God that envelops us, we must distance ourselves from those who deny the existence of God and instead embrace man-made religions and their festive practices. By refraining from seeking false gratification through celebrations, we should turn our gaze towards our Heavenly Father and His boundless love. In doing so, we will receive the peace that bestows upon us an inexhaustible joy.
Everyone is aware that God has shown His unconditional love by sacrificing His only Son for us. God paid the ultimate price, revealing His unfailing love for humanity. During this Christmas season, it is crucial to reflect on the sorrowful heart of our Heavenly Father, who sent His beloved Son into this world. Sadly, many of us fail to comprehend the deep anguish our Father endured. Instead, we selfishly focus on receiving His love and indulge in the materialistic aspects of this season.
We fail to understand and appreciate the immense pain He endured for our salvation and eternal life. To truly experience inner peace, we must shift our perspective and exchange our superficial celebrations for a genuine realization of the grief God suffered in offering His Son. Only then will we fully experience the love of God and the gratitude that comes from being saved. Let us distance ourselves from the crowd that celebrates the birth of Jesus without acknowledging the true significance it holds. If we do so, His favour will rest upon us to unleash His peace on us.
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.After he has suffered,
Isaiah 53:10 -11 (NIV)
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
During the Christmas season, it is important for us to practice self-denial and emulate the example of Jesus, the intermediary who connects us with God. By contemplating the immense anguish our Heavenly Father endured in sacrificing His beloved Son, we can truly appreciate the miraculous transformation of His anguish into joy by seeing His offspring. Hence it is necessary for us, His offspring, to deserve our sonship setting aside the falsehood that prevails around the celebration of Christmas.
The Jordan Valley 
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