JESUS IS THE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS
Christmas is about God’s extravagant lavish love to a sick and desperate world. Since Genesis 3 when the world fell into the sin of disobedience, it has been a struggle against sin, the flesh and the devil until today. Man became helpless and utterly defeated until God stepped down to give what was so precious to him, his Son our savior Jesus Christ. It is with great victory and celebration when finally the Old Testament prophesies came to pass and Jesus was born in a manger, no bed, no mid wife. I believe the presence of God delivered the baby who was second in command in the God head.
The Old Testament scriptures are very rich in the description of who Jesus is. Isaiah 11 describes the Son of God as one with different seven spirits namely; the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and might, of knowledge and fear of the lord. Believing and acknowledging Jesus Christ as lord and savior comes with a full package of blessings. We might search allover but outside Christ we will return empty. Christmas is about loving a sinner even when they do not know. God coming down is a demonstration of the full extent of God’s love poured upon us who do not deserve. Christmas is about the grace of God. One writer said that “The magic of Christmas is not in the presents but in His presence.” May you have the gift of faith this Christmas and many blessings throughout the New Year.
Emilly Matthews said, “From home to home and heart to heart, from one place to another, the warmth, joy and message of Christmas brings us together.” Matthew 1:21 reminds us that Jesus came to save all people from sin. Just as sin is a unifying factor for the human race, Christ at the cross unites all believers together through his birth and death on the cross. Christmas is about reconciliation, repentance and accepting to lead a new life with the son at the Centre of our hearts.
It is about making a way in the wilderness. The children of Israel had suffered distress and seriously looking for a savior to deliver them. Alliances did not work.
Isaiah 9, 11 and 35 give an answer to the then Israel. Believers today are struggling with physical, emotional and psychosocial pain. Many have resorted to prostitution, drugs, alcohol to get an answer. Some marry and remarry the search for money in the midst of the crooked world, theft and corruption, Jealousy, envy and hatred all give us a picture of why Jesus came. If we do not know Christ we easily become victims of the above. I call upon us all to look to Jesus, fix our eyes on him, resist evil, and seek righteousness in the name of Jesus.
Finally Jesus gave his best, shall we too emulate by giving back our best for the good of His kingdom. Blessed Christmas and glorious new year!
The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye
Provost, All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala.