As we gather together on this glorious Christmas Day, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever given. Life changed that day when history began again as we recognise everything before that moment in time as BC – before Christ. Before Christ our world was separated from God. In the Garden of Eden: a world in which humanity lives in perfect harmony with God, Adam and Eve are deceived: They have been told that there is one tree in the Garden of which they cannot eat, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, for if they eat of it, death will enter the world. But then… along comes the serpent.
God knows the reality of evil, and soon, so too will the world. On the day that Adam and Eve ate the fruit, their eyes were opened. At that moment, Adam and Eve began the rebellion against God as evil, from which God had sought to protect them, now enters. At that moment, Adam and Eve rejected God and turned away from him. But on Christmas Day God reversed that by turning to us in his Son. Death, sickness, and evil entered into our world in the fall of Adam and Eve.
But at the birth of Jesus, God revealed that this cosmic battle would come to an end. John 3:16, one of the most beloved verses in the Bible, reveals the essence of God’s love for humanity: “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.”
While we still encounter the effects of the Fall of Adam and Eve in this life, we are assured that it will not be forever. And that’s why we mark human history as “Before Christ” and “In the year of our Lord” as time begins again. Christmas is the assurance of the immeasurable love that God has for us. He did not simply send a gift, but He gave His most precious possession – His Son. Jesus, the embodiment of love, who came to earth to live among us, to teach us, to heal us, and ultimately, to sacrifice His life for our salvation.
The gift of God’s love is not limited to a single day. It is an eternal gift that continues to flow into our lives every day. Through Jesus Christ, we have access to God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Through Jesus we experience true peace, joy, and hope. As we reflect on the gift of God’s love, let us also consider how we can share that love with others. We can do this by our words, our actions, and our attitudes. Let us be kind and compassionate, forgiving and understanding in a world that is growingly rejecting those qualities and replacing them with anger, resentment and intolerance. Let us be the source of light and hope in a world that seems dark and troubled.
In the spirit of Christmas, let us extend love and kindness to all, especially those who are struggling or alone. It is the perfect opportunity to reach out to our neighbors, our friends, and our family members, offering a listening ear, a helping hand, or simply a warm embrace. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us renew our commitment to following His example as Jesus once said. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Let us strive to live a life that is characterized by love, peace, hope and joy. The candles we lit in Advent as we prepared for Christ’s birth as we now wait for Christ’s return. May the true meaning of Christmas fill our hearts and guide our steps throughout the coming year and always.
A blessed Christmas to you all and may the love of God shine brightly in your lives.
