The essence of Christmas is about Jesus Christ being born in our hearts! It is about allowing His light to shine broadly in our hearts and drive away all forms of darkness and idolatry. Jesus came so that people may accept Him and be rescued from the deeds of darkness to light, from bondage to freedom, from fear to a life of faith in Christ, from poverty to kingdom prosperity, from sickness to perfect health, from hatred to forgiveness and love. Jesus’ coming introduced a new concept of life, which is beyond earthly traditions.
“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”. (Colossians 1:13, 14). In Paul’s epistle to Titus, he laid emphasis on the grace of God. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” (Titus 2:11, 12).
This must be the basis of our Christmas celebrations. Let’s purpose to make Christmas more meaningful and relevant in our families and communities. People must be reminded of the fact that Christmas season is not about eating, drinking, dressing and getting involved in all kinds of immoral behaviours. Christmas must be the season of reflection, refocus and refreshing our God-given dreams. Dreams which will add value to one’s career development, personal development, family welfare, business expansion, ministry growth, community and national spheres of influence. May this season of the year bring you peace, hope and security. This should be a time for those in prisons, hospitals, refugee camps, war fronts, communities affected by drought and hostile weather conditions to allow Christ to walk among them and create a new atmosphere of hope and healing. Uganda, Africa and the entire globe need to experience the love of Christ as we close the year 2015 and focus on the New Year 2016.
The mood of Christmas should empower you to reflect on your Creator as you take stock of your successes and failures. You will discover that life is a journey and this journey is not determined by how much you earn from your profession, how rich and wealthy you are in society, how popular you are or how poor and unsuccessful you may seem to be. Every step you take in life should serve as a learning platform for you to nurture your dreams and reach your potential.
Jesus comes to make a difference in the way you think, the way you act and behave in society. Young people in every family and society should learn to honour and respect their elders. Can we pick a leaf from the Nigerian (Igbo) saying: “What an old man can see while seated down, a young man will never see while standing on top of an oak tree!” Wisdom will be crucial in this festive season. Your hiding in the shrine because you have committed a crime will never offer you sanctuary, the only and best asylum you need is in Christ Jesus who came to redeem men from their sinful nature. It does not matter how far you have fallen from His grace, he is willing to pick you up, fix you and present you as a person of value and credibility. He fixed the Samaritan woman who was a social outcast by her contemporaries because she had been married to six men and none of those was her true husband. He fixed Zacchaeus who had amassed wealth through dubious means. He fixed a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. Jesus was patient with people who never understood life’s purpose.
Today, we have people in high profile offices and society around us who have lost credibility due to their wild thinking springing from untamed character traits. Christmas comes with a lot of hope and character transformation. Let this season be a turning point in your life and career. Let this season draw you closer to God and fellowship with people around you. Let this season give a sense of understanding as to why you go to church.
The year 2016 will present God’s divine love for humanity regardless of race, language and colour. There is going to be a dynamic spiritual awakening where people will yearn for more of God’s nature. A time for nations and governments to focus on God’s kingdom plan of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. There is going to be a degree of accelerated political, social and economic transformation in our country and continent. This is the sole reason we celebrate Christmas, a season that prepares Christians for greater opportunities in the New Year.
The people of Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel and other troubled regions need to see this new hope in their war-ravaged territories. I am confident that God will restore hope in their hearts, families and communities. I pray that our heavenly Father will hear the cry of the broken hearted and the afflicted in body. May His divine healing dawn on all those who are bedridden in their homes and hospitals. May His deliverance reach those who are confined in prison cells.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
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