The TRUE gift of Christmas – By Sam Dibbin

Christmas is a season of celebration. We have a well decorated Christmas tree, stars, Santa claus and gifts in mind whenever we think about Christmas. But when we look back at the real Christmas day, the birth of Jesus Christ, there is nothing attractive in it. At the time of Jesus’s birth, in the history, there was conflict, suffering, tension and fear among the Israelites. They were searching for freedom, crying for God to answer them. If we look at Mary and Joseph, they also went through pain and challenge. They fled to Egypt to escape persecution and came back to Bethlehem to a stable. There was no room for the Saviour to be born. So if we see, the real Christmas is not the cosy one that we talk about today.

But God decided to come in between the struggles and chaos. Even now He wants to be born in midst of our anguish. He says “Do not be afraid” there is good news. Jesus wants to be born in our weakest time so that His name is glorified.

Because of Christmas we got the freedom to call God as ‘our father’ as Jesus himself taught us in Matthew 6:9. We are adopted as Sons and His great love is lavished on us. He is not just our father, but he is our ‘Heavenly father’. He is sovereign and is in control. Often we miss to remember that He is our father in heaven, who knows everything, the end from the beginning. When we know his sovereignty, our response would be hallowing his name. Jesus teaches us the greatest expression of faith in Mathew 6:10. ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done’ in midst of any circumstances or any situation. Because of Christmas, we have a restored relationship with the father and a new way of living in this world in submission to Him. Let us remember this and let Him be born in our lives in whatever situation we are in. And let’s pray as Jesus taught us to pray. He is with us, our Immanuel, the true gift of Christmas.

Reflection by Susan Paul