Christmas Eve

https://odb.org/2024/12/24/light-and-glory

What do most of us do on Christmas Eve? Have a nice family dinner? Throw a party? Have family and friends come over for food and drinks? The amazing thing is that even non-Christians find a reason to, in a way, celebrate Christmas, especially on Christmas Eve. Christmas is so well-known that shopping malls are decked with really nice and beautiful Christmassy decorations, and the air is filled with Christmas songs to usher in the holiday spirit in the hope that shoppers will spend as the stores run their year-end sales. As Andrew Sia postulated in his Facebook post, it is pure commercialism.  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19AZME2jua/

As much as we are encouraged and proud that the world celebrates Christmas, we know that it has become somewhat like Valentine’s Day and Halloween. It is more dressing up in red like Santa with his red nose reindeers bringing presents in a sleigh, rather than the true meaning of Christmas, of God having so loved the world that He sent His only Son to the world that whosoever believed in Him shall not perish but have life everlasting. But why criticise or pick a fight with the world? Why would the world want to celebrate the birth of Christ and the message it brings? The world is not the Kingdom of God.

The hype surrounding Christmas generated by the commercialising of Christmas actually affords us an excellent opportunity to start a conversation on the true meaning of Christmas, in particular those who celebrate but are not in Christ. A perfect occasion to invite them to church where the true meaning of Christmas is shared and played out in the worship songs, the presentations, and the sermon. Allow our friends and relatives to have a foretaste of what the Kingdom offers here on earth and in heaven one day.

On Christmas Eve, let us ponder upon the grace and goodness of God in our lives and be thankful for the birth of Christ that led and allowed you and I and many others to walk and live the path that leads to eternal life! Have a blessed and merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Glory be to God in the highest and peace on earth to all men!