It’s Christmas and the world celebrates love
He rules the world, with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
This fourth stanza of one of the greatest Christmas songs in Christendom (“Joy to the World”) very much amplifies the core essence of Christ and Christmas which in one word, is love.
This song written by English hymn writer, Isaac Watts in 1719 is 297 years old today but it remains fresh as it is sung and relished usually at Christmastime across the world.
It is in like manner that Jesus Christ of Nazareth who was born in Bethlehem, Judea over 2000 years ago has remained the first cause for humanity. He who was born of a carpenter and a virgin maiden, Mary, in a manger has been acknowledged as the Messiah and saviour of the world. And He is the reason for this wonderful day of Christmas, remarked, if not celebrated all over the world.
Today, the 25th of December, is yet another day remarking the birth of Jesus Christ. A day like no other, it is indeed a culmination of one year of preparation and about 12 days of bright colours, special songs, iconic weather conditions, festivities and merriment. Across races and mankind, it is a peculiar season and day of joy and for sharing and celebration. It is indeed a time of good cheers and glad tidings for humanity.
Christmas day is a re-enactment of the essential messages of Christ – the messages that have continued to impact and change the world for more than 2000 years. The kernel of it is love, the amazing power of love. According to the Bible which has remained the grist and bedrock of Christ’s teaching, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
God loves the world and He made a sacrifice of His only son that He may redeem humanity from the condemnation of sin; that He may salvage man from the vice grips of the enemy, Satan. What is exemplified here is love of the sacrificial kind; atonement consecrated by blood, sweat and sorrow.
And Jesus Christ in His sojourn on earth in human form and throughout His ministry, symbolised love in all its ramifications; He preached peace, forbearance, compassion, forgiveness, righteousness, harmony, rectitude and servanthood.
The great teaching of Christ can be encapsulated in The Eight Beatitudes in a sermon He preached on the mountain in which He re-echoed the sublime ideals of love, humility and spiritual living for man.
Jesus proclaimed:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
Righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for
Righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the Kingdom of heaven…
(Matthew 5: 3 – 12)
Jesus in His ministry sought no lucre or any personal belongings; according to the scripture, “He went about all Galilee, teaching in the synagogue, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing all kinds of sicknesses and all kinds of diseases among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him, all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralyptics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him – from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and beyond Jordan”
Such was Jesus’ ministry, such was His prowess and power and throng of followership.
His words, precepts and teachings have continued to ring true till this day. Though, just as He was seized and crucified by the powers that be in His time, so has the world of today continued to exhibit hatred, lust for power and megalomania. Though His teachings have continued to permeate and impact the world, darkness still pervades and remains slow to dissipate.
But as is written, His word will someday cover all corners of the world and then, He will return in glory to give the faithful rest and judge the world.
Christmas is an annual reminder that life is to be lived for a greater and grander purpose; that it does not begin and end here. As we celebrate and wine and dine, believers and non-believers alike must remind themselves not only the purpose of Christmas but of life itself.
Are we in tune with the reason for the season? And are we prepared for the greater purpose?
