Tom Blessed Christmas Everyone! It is that time of the year where gifts, Christmas trees and Christmas carols can be seen and heard everywhere you go. Having traveled to many places in Europe, the Christmas season can be a very special holiday season for the entire family (think Weihnachtsmarkt/Christmas Market).
But, what is the true meaning of Christmas?
Well, Christmas is the story of salvation. Salvation for you and me through the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
But I have been a good person. Why do I need salvation?
Believe it or not, everyone has sinned at some point in his or her life. Have you harboured ill thoughts against someone, let some unsavoury words come out of your mouth or even done some actions that you are not proud of? Because of our sinful nature, we have been distanced from God. A chasm as it were, has divided us from God.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
Even though we have sinned, God still loves us and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins by sacrificing on the cross over 2000 years ago. After 3 days (links to our story below), He rose from the dead and is now with the Father.
If God loves me, why can’t he just forgive my sin? Why must Jesus die?
Well, the simple answer is that God is righteous. He is perfect. Even though He loves us, we are still unrighteous in His sight. The only way for Him to receive us, is if we are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. Then, no longer would he see our blemish but His beloved Son, Jesus Christ in us. In this way, Christ has bridged the chasm between us and God.
Why should I believe something that I have not seen?
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29
But let me share another story with you from Luke 16
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Firstly, it is good to note that this story is NOT A PARABLE. Why?
– The author would have mentioned that it was a parable
– In parables, names would not be used (Lazarus)
– Names of Old Testament saints such as Abraham have not been mentioned in parables as well
Meaning, this was something that actually took place!
It is described that Lazarus and the rich man could see each other but was not able to cross the chasm between them. The passage also described that the rich man was not able to return and warn his relatives about his current predicament.
If this exchange between the rich man and Lazarus did indeed take place, what allowed Lazarus to enter Abraham’s side?
Faith. Abraham was named the Father of Faith and Lazarus placed his faith and trust in Christ and entered into that place of comfort.
I would LOVE to enter that place of comfort as well. Tell me what I should do?
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10
Say the following prayer to Him:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I believe in you. I believe that you died on the cross for me and rose again on the third day. Thank you for saving a sinner such as I. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
So the true meaning of Christmas is…
The true meaning of Christmas is God’s love for you and me! God sent His son, Jesus Christ to be born as a child and walk on this earth. Through Jesus Christ, we have been redeemed by His work on the cross and all we have to do, to receive this free gift of salvation and eternal life, is to just believe!
Blessed Christmas Everyone.
May the true meaning of Christmas continue to ring wherever you may be this festive season!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7
