What is not mentioned at Christmas

There is more to the birth of our Lord Jesus than eating, buying and selling, family meals and holidays. As God reveals, more light is being shed on what we already know. Many questions have been asked to Christians and pagans who compete to have their festivals at this time. To those who have no views, it is about watching films and sleeping. To the pagan and Christian in some countries, it is about the price hike of commodities which the spirit of commerce rules. In another sect, the spirit of Bacchus rules and people load up trolleys with alcohol. Others go for an immoral living. A lot of road accidents and airport chaos occur because of increased travelling. People work hard from January to November to squander their savings in December and throw away as much as they can because it is not needed after all.

There is a long list of things that goes on at Christmas. The religious see Christ in a manger as the baby who is helpless and needs to be cradled. After the Christmas season, He is forgotten. Some go to churches ones in a year at Christmas. Candles are lit with decorations along with the sentiments of carols.

We cannot talk about His birth without resounding the reason for which he came. That should be paramount. Satan tries to hide and becloud this. It sounds weird when you speak about the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord during Christmas. I remember we were once interjected and asked why we should sing easter songs at Christmas. That is religion and to those who do not know him. The church bought into that, and the world does not see Jesus as the Saviour and the soon-coming King.

There are critical lessons for humanity which we have overlooked and the remembrance of Christ birth should remind us of them.

Firstly is the lesson on those he used to prepare His way. Humility crowned all seven. We should be spending our time reflecting on the qualities these seven people. They had faith, and they were consecrated. They were righteous and were found worthy. They were not well known. The birth of Christ brought them out of their obscurity. The Bible told us about their character, which should be one of the highlights of this season.

Second, Christ was born in a manger because Augustus Caesar asked everyone to go home for the census just for tax. No one was exempted, even the heavily pregnant. Things have not changed; we still have all-powerful men who take decisions to the detriment of humanity.

Third. There was no room for Mary, and she resorted to the stables. No one offered their space. Men still have no room for Jesus today. Things have not changed. Do we have room for Jesus? Some will say yes, but what they have for Jesus is still stable. They love Him, but He cannot tell them what to do with their lives.

Fourth. Sometimes God wants to shield us by humbling us, but we want to run off to do our own thing exposing ourselves to danger. If he had been born in the Royal Hospital of Bethlehem, Herod would have found Him to destroy. He searched, but the stable was the last place to try.

Fifth. The obedience and love of Joseph should challenge every man. He was a gentleman indeed.

Joseph was instructed to take Mary and the child to Egypt. Sometimes we need to step back for the evil wind to pass. Those who insist will be caught up.

Sixth. The faith of Mary should be heralded in all youth fellowships and clubs.

Seven. Anna was a widow and kept herself chaste. She was a Prophetess showing us that God is no respecter of persons. He will use anyone who consecrates herself.

Eight. The patience of Simeon kept him alive to see the baby. We should be encouraged to wait on the Lord.

Ninth.  Allowing Himself to be born in a carpenter’s house is another lesson that the life of man does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses.

Tenth. The King brought Himself with no reputation. Boasting ourselves of anything is not wisdom. He came that we may have life more abundantly. His death on the cross paid the price for us. He is resurrected and alive, and so shall we live and reign with Him.