December 2 we had a Sunday service again with Pastor Yai. This time the message was based on the Christmas story of Luke 2:8 – 12. "There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." (The Message translation)
What can we learn from this well-known passage?
Firstly, the Christmas message is for everyone (“… joyful even that is meant for everybody, worldwide.”) For this reason we should invite our friends to Church and other Christmas events, and tell them about the good news of Jesus. This message is meant for everyone.
Secondly, the Christmas message is about Christ (“ … a Saviour has just been born in David’s town, a Saviour who is Messiah and Master.") The message of Christmas is not a religious doctrine, it is a message of the person of Jesus. Inviting your friends will help them to meet Jesus who is Saviour, Messiah and Master.
Thirdly, the Christmas message is the message of salvation. Jesus was God’s son, He was without sin and at the end died as a sacrifice for our sins so that we could have peace with God.
Paul’s letter to Philippians tells us about how Jesus, even though he was God, became man to save us from the bondage of sin.
“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.” (Philippians 2:5 – 8, The Message translation).
Fourthly, the Christmas message is for those who seek for the truth. Luke says “This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”