It is the time of the year again when Christmas trees and twinkling lights are increasingly put up not only at religious sites, but incredibly more in secular settings. It will do well for Christians to reflect and use Christmas as a platform to share the good news it carries for the glory of God – as it should.
Luke 2:10 records, ‘And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”’
Three thoughts:
Firstly, this event took place at night (vs 8) as a light shone (vs 9). The light reminds us that the baby to be born in a manger would grow up to become the Light of the World. When we see the lights around us, may we be reminded to fulfil our calling as lights, pointing people to our Saviour who is the Light of the World.
Secondly, the comforting charge of the angel to the shepherds were the words, ‘Fear not’. The fear that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of a Western (Jewish) religion is unfortunately misleading. Nothing can be further from the truth. We can dispel falsehoods with truth by disseminating suitable Christmas-themed tracts. We can also pray and invite those in our natural sphere of influence (colleagues, friends, neighbours, relatives) to our Christmas service.
Thirdly, Christmas brings good news, not of gifts and presents or the giving of temporal joy and happiness. Instead, it brings good news of great joy, which leads to eternal happiness and gratefulness. Jesus did not remain a baby in a manger. He went on to walk on the face of this earth. He was lifted up on the cross, buried and rose again. This is great joy indeed!
Richard Lai
