Let’s celebrate Christmas

By Pastor (Dr.) Elisha Olusheye

Dear Reader,
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the entire ministers and members of the Christ Apostolic Church (worldwide), we hereby heartily rejoice with all brethren and other Nigerians both at home and abroad on this happy occasion of Christmas, which is annually celebrated to commemorate the miraculous incarnation and birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We hereby send you the season’s compliments, and pray for abundant blessings and divine protection for you all at Christmas and in the new year, in Jesus’ name, amen. Please rejoice with us as we gratefully recount our blessings to date and also briefly re-examine the special circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ, together with the significance and lessons, which the incarnation brings to all humanity. I fervently pray that the joy of Christmas will spread abroad in your life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do you know that what we are doing at Christmas today is not just another celebration of new clothes, family meetings and eating of diverse foods? Do you also know that Christmas is a celebration of hope in a loving God, who will never forget any of His children, no matter who or where this child may be? It is a pity that many people in the world are living a life of hopelessness. They lose their hope because they are still living in the Old Testament where everything points to no hope. They do not remember the New Testament where curses were erased and blessings were bestowed.

Christmas is a celebration of an unsurpassed love exhibited by our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a celebration of hope, strengthened daily by the Holy Spirit, sent to be our companion throughout this life’s journey in faith. Though every situation may point to a hopeless situation, I have good news for you, and it is the purpose of this celebration. You need not be hopeless. So, dearly beloved reader, Cheer up! You now have hope. But what and where is the hope? When God created the world, all the hosts of heaven sang for joy (Job.38:4-But when human being sinned, the same hosts of heaven mourned, because they felt that all hope for joy was gone down the drain, but God will always be God, not minding what mankind thinks. He promised to send the Saviour who will be born of a woman. (Gen.3:15). Through the ages, He kept His focus on the promise “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

At the fullness of time, He brought to fulfilment the promise. In Galatians 4:4, the Bible says, “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem them who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” When the Seed of the woman was born in that dirty manger at Bethlehem of Judea, on the first Christmas Day, the herald angel said, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11). This news brought great joy that united both the heavens and the earth.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:13, 14). This is hope for you, my dear hearer! This is hope that brought joy to both the heavens and the earth. It is for you. If God could remember to fulfil the promise He made some thousands of years before, He has not forgotten you. Hear Him: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Sickness, sorrow, problems, death and other bad things in this life originate from sin. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom.3:23), but God showed His love by giving His only begotten Son, that all who believe in Him will not be condemned. This Son was named JESUS, One to save His people from their sin (Matthew 1:21). This is the purpose of Christmas. God’s thought of peace is the birth of Jesus Christ which we are celebrating during this period of the year. It is our hope of joy, peace, healing, blessing, salvation and all that God, in His love, has promised to give us.

When everything, physical or spiritual, seems to have turned upside down, and nothing works, Jesus Christ is as constant as the Northern Star. The Bible reads: “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever”, and that, “…there is no variation or shadow of turning” in Him. He is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Heb.13:8; James 1:17; Col. 1:27). Therefore, brethren, if you want to experience all of God’s goodness, then, let Jesus be born in your life as we celebrate this year’s Christmas. Let us celebrate this Christmas in a spectacular way, believe in, and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life now. And thereby qualify to reign with Him in eternal happiness at His imminent return, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Merry Christmas and happy and prosperous new year in advance. Amen.

God’s divine promise

By Pastor S.S.Jemigbon

It is a divine connection that is beyond the order of law; beyond what some would call law of nature or the earthly law, only those who have biological relationship ought to be beneficiaries. But we have been predestinated even before the creation of the world. He had created man in His own image according to His likeness to be His sons, for His glory.

Whereby we are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (II Peter 1:4).

Our empowerment as the sons of God, joint heirs with Christ entitles us to the blessing just as Abraham. Each time we pray we all love to receive this promise. Many thereafter, would wait, hoping to receive the fulfillment of the promise, but to no avail. This is because they have refused or are ignorant of how to use their indwelling power as children of God.

Abraham used this power. This gave him an enviable place before God. He became the friend of God, for when God called him out of Ur he did not look back, or was mindful of the riches of his father or the many luxuries or abundant opportunities available in the city. Even when he did not know exactly where he was going, he received the promise with faith.

Those who have been called out of the world should act like Abraham. You are separated from the world as Christians; called out of idolatry, lusts of the society and all the vanities and iniquities in which people of this world glory. But you are called to walk in faith for the fulfillment of the promise of blessing.

In this journey, you have to be steadfast, not slothful, be focused and confident; and overcome temptations. Abraham never at any time thought of going back to Ur. Christians should never regress into the world.

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb. 6:12)