Pastor’s Christmas Message

Matt 2:11 (NKJV) And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. My family and I would like to greet one and all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! Today the whole world commemorates the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It has been disputed for countless years if December 25 is actually the date of our Lord’s birth. What is more important is that God has sent His Son Jesus to be born as a babe that who would grow up to be the Lamb Of God takes away the sins of the world through His death on the cross. Because of this we rejoice that God has given us a Deliverer. Hallelujah to His name forever! During Christmas time, people all over celebrate with joy and gladness. Parties and gift giving are part and parcel of the season. Merry making and drunkenness are often associated with the coming of Christmas. Very few actually know how to celebrate it according to God’s WORD. The “first” Christmas (aka the Birth of Christ) was commemorated by the wise men by worshipping the Christ Child. They did not worship her but “HIM!” Nor did they worship any human being but the Messiah. And they showed their adoration through giving gifts not to each other nor to somebody else but only to HIM! The event was only focus on Jesus! We have missed out on the true meaning of the incarnation. We have transformed Christmas as a way of enjoying ourselves through countless shopping and fun filled activities instead on focusing on our worship of Jesus. The Father in heaven is seeking such to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. If Christmas is all about worship, then every time we gather in His Name to worship is Christmas. Christmas Day is the remembrance of how God came among us as Emmanuel (God with us). God inhabits our praises and visits the Church every time we gather in His name. Psalms 22:3 (Darby) And thou art holy, thou that dwellest amid the praises of Israel Matt 18:20 (NKJV) "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Christmas to us means that we do not wait for a specific day of the year. With joy we await His coming again to His people through our worship unto Him every time we come together in His name. This means that joy and gladness should be a year round experience. When I realized this glorious truth, I no longer wait for December 25 to rejoice. I finally outgrown the traditional Christmas but rather celebrate His Presence every time we worship Him all year round. For me, Christmas is all year round! 1 John 4:14-16 (NKJV) And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. May the Christ of Christmas be born no longer in a manger but in every person’s heart! From our family, Merry Christmas to all! Ps Edward, Sis. Marlene, David John and Sally Joy Barcial