We are in the yuletide and I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas. It is amazing that many people do not say Merry Christmas anymore; they just say happy holiday. But I tell you this truth: Jesus is the reason for the season. This may not be the actual day that He was born, but as far as we are concerned, there was a day He was born. Thank God that two thousand years ago, somebody was born; something happened that changed the course of history. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). I say again, Merry Christmas and welcome to another edition of this column. Let this Christmas not be of rice and drinks and party and hangover; but let it be a different kind of Christmas – Christmas with the Master.
In Isaiah, chapter 9 verses 6 and 7, the prophet prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus was born. He said, For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given. And the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.
This is a powerful scripture that tells us that this is not just a child. It says that unto us a child is born. Jesus was a gift from God for the salvation of mankind and that makes the difference. Christmas is about the Son that is given, not just the child that was born.
Let me ask you a question: within this year, were you able to meet with Jesus? No matter how much money you made, if Jesus was not part of it, then you failed. Nevertheless, if you have never had an encounter with Him, you can still enter the Christmas and the New Year with Jesus.
Friend, living this life is about encounter with Jesus. We thank God for all the parties, the chieftaincy titles, the house warming etc. Those are the blessings from God and we give Him praise for blessing us. But those are not the real issues. The real issue is about the Giver, not the gift; the Saviour, the Healer and not the healing; the Deliverer, not the deliverance. There is no better time to make peace with Him than now. You may say that you are not a Christian. Nobody is born a Christian; we become Christians. You become a Christian by choice when you willingly accept Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Saviour; then you become a Christian and not because you have a Christian name.
A Son is given. A Son has been given to redeem us from destruction, sin, and evil. Apostle Paul wrote, saying: Thank God for this unspeakable gift. Jesus is the unspeakable gift because you cannot understand the mystery and goodness and reality of this gift. When you understand it, you will rush to receive it and gain salvation and tell other people about Him.
The gift of Jesus is not the kind of gift you keep. He is too big to hide. From the day I gave my life to Christ, I found I couldn’t hide the feeling; I had to tell everybody around me. It is an exciting experience that you cannot keep to yourself; you wonder how people survive without Jesus. Life is just hard without Jesus even though you think you have everything going for you. Without Jesus you are at the mercy of the devil. I beseech you to come now and let us return to God. I want to help you to make up your mind this Christmas season. Jesus wants you. Every day of your life is a plus, a bonus, an opportunity by the mercy of God for you to make up with Him before you die. My heart goes out to that soul that is without Jesus.
You have religion, but not Jesus. Religion is empty. Religion will fail you, but Jesus will not fail you. He says I am the bread of life; if you eat Me, you won’t hunger. I am the water of life; if you drink Me you will never thirst again. This is the truth. I used to drink a lot, but from the day I gave my life to Christ, the appetite for alcohol disappeared. He is so wonderful; His promises are real.
Friends, do not depend on religion. This is not religious season. It is a season for Jesus. It is not a religious holiday; it is a Jesus holiday. You are resting from work this time because of Jesus. This is a time that Jesus has given you to sit back and think and ask yourself questions: has my life brought glory to God? Have I lived to glorify Jesus? Have I lived for myself or have I lived to promote the kingdom. Have I lived to be a blessing? Have I told anybody about Jesus? What have I done about the things I have heard all these years about Jesus? You may think: what will my husband say? What have I done about the things I have heard all these years about Jesus? You may think: What will my husband say? What will my wife say? On the last day, at judgement, you are not going to stand with your spouse. You are going to stand alone before God and He is going to judge you alone: He is going to ask you: what did you do with Jesus? Judgement is about Jesus, not religion, not church, not mosque, not the temple, not the tabernacle, not the synagogue.
Jesus is the reason for the season and I tell you that you can have the best Christmas in your life when you accept Jesus Christ. It is amazing how it happens. You may think you have been alive; no, you have not lived until you meet Jesus. You have not seen life until you have an encounter with Jesus. It is possible for you to have an encounter with Him and your life will change – joy will come. The kind of joy that does not come with being in the nightclub or drinking. This joy is eternal; it is a gift. It does not have anything to do with how much you have in your pocket. You may be broke but still have joy. Happiness is a product of your environment; but joy, inner joy comes when you make Jesus your Lord and your savior. It is a product of the recreated spirit. This joy is incredibly awesome. It cannot be described; you can only experience it.
You have an opportunity now to experience the joy of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that the Joy of the Lord is our strength. Are you ready to receive Jesus? Do not say tomorrow. Do not take permission before receiving Jesus. This is between you and the Lord. Receive Him now. Jesus says: come unto me and I will help you. Tomorrow may be too late. If you have made up your mind, then say this simple prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank you for coming for me. Thank you for reaching out your love to me. I accept you as my Lord, I accept you as my Savior, I accept you as my Master. Take over my life. I believe you died for me. I confess your Lordship over my life. From today, I say yes to you and I say no to the devil in Jesus name, Amen.
Father, in the name of Jesus, as many as have accepted Your Son, right now, forgive their sins let old things pass away. Fill them with this joy and give them a blessed Christmas. I thank You Father for answered prayers in Jesus name, Amen.