Theme: THE JOY OF GOD’S PRESENCE {Nehemiah 8v10}
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
We thank the lord God for leading us thus far through this life of holiness. First and foremost, I would like to encourage all those who have been contributing in one way or the other towards the growth of our Parish. May God continue to bless you and grant success to all the work of your hands (Amen)
WHAT IS CHRISTMAS?
Christmas literally means the Mass of Christ.
You will agree with me that when we were young, we tend to see the season of Christmas only as a time for merriment. We believe it is the time we must buy new clothes, eat chocolate, drink more wine and a host of others. Then, Christmas was perceived as a social event.
However, Christmas goes beyond eating and drinking. There is a spiritual dimension to it. It is this spiritual dimension that gives meaning to it and is the essence of the whole celebration. It is a time of spiritual reflection on the true meaning of Christmas which is the celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word of God: The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
Hence, there is no doubt that Christmas is a time of joy and happiness because at Christmas we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. We commemorate that time when the Incarnate Son came to dwell among us. Christ took human nature to reconcile man to his Creator.
The four weeks of Advent before the celebration of Christmas is to prepare us adequately for the joy of Christmas.
Commenting on the joy of Christmas, St. Leo the great wrote ‘This is the day our Savior is born; It is not a season for sadness; this is the birthday of life, which
eliminate the fear of death. This is a time of joy for all. Let the saints rejoice for
he hastens to his crown; let the sinner be filled with joy, for pardon is offered him’.
CONCLUSION:
Beloved let us offer thanksgiving to God our Father through His Son, in the Holy Spirit.
“Let us then be quit of old self and the habits that went with it. Let us share now in the birth and joy of Christ, let us break with the deeds of flesh. O Christian, be aware of Your nobility — it is God’s own nature that you share: do not then, by an ignoble life, fall back into your former baseness.” (Saint Leo the Great).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.
Rev.Fr. Matthew ‘Gbenga MADEWA.
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