Saturday, 23rd December 2023

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT A PERSON

THEME SCRIPTURE: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” – Colossians 2:8

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What must the believer be aware of that can sway him from the graces of God?
2. What does the scriptures mean by human traditions and philosophy?

I recently read a story about Munich clown Karl Valentin and one of his famous stage scenes. This scene features Valentin on a dark stage with a solitary circle light. He walks around the stage's circle of light, desperately looking for something.  Then another person enters the scene. It was a policeman. He asks Valentin, “What have you lost, sir?" "My house key”, replied the clown [Valentin]. The policeman joins the search out of sympathy. The policeman eventually asks, "Are you sure you lost the key here?"  Valentin replies, “No, over there”, pointing to a dark corner. "Then what business do you have looking for it here?" the policeman asks in shock. Then Valentin (the clown) replied, "Can’t you see—there is no light over there?"

Precious One, many believers live like Valentin: we follow any light promised.

We respond to explanations that sound appealing, and comforting. We are looking for something, but in the wrong place and often, in the wrong way. We’d rather be incited by promises than search for the truth. All the time, we want to hear what we want to hear. Paul wrote that men would not tolerate sound doctrine in the end times. They will pile on teachers with their itching ears (2 Tim 4:3) because of their lust. Implying that men who need God's help would want to dictate the message of the time. This is the case with post-moderners and Christmas. A new philosophy seems to be blowing, arguing that there is no need to celebrate Christ on Christmas because the date chosen is not accurate. Others argue that that day used to be a demonic festival day. Whiles the arguments seem to be about the accuracy of date and suitability of day, the question is, "Shoud we worry about date or the person who is at the center of Christmas?"

Further, the faith we have received is about a person, not a philosophy.

Hegel said, "The philosophy of any time is its spirit expressed in abstract thought." Our Christian faith is not a philosophy but a revelation of the one who existed before time. "Beware that no one distracts you in their attempt to lead you away from Christ's fullness by pretence and full of endless arguments of human logic," Paul warned the Colossian believers. (Col 2:8). Philosophies that shifts believers" focus from those things that are important to insignificant matters. 

Precious one, the faith we have received is a person, not protocols. Therefore it makes no sense to deny Christ and celebrate Christmas. 

The human mind easily trusts in man's protocols and traditions, such as "7 Steps to Enlightenment" or "Don't eat this, don't touch that" (Col 2: 21).  Beloved, our faith is not rooted in rituals and ceremonies. Rather, our faith is rooted in a person, and that person is Jesus Christ and Christmas is all about Him. God, by His Word framed the worlds and the days, seasons and time. Can a day therefore be a demonic day? Has the devil created a day? Of course not. This is how the spirit of Phariseeism operated in the days of Christ. They were always pushing for the enforcement of the minutest of the law but neglecting weightier matters of judgment,  love, etc. (Luke 11:42). Beloved, heed not to the spirit of the Pharisees. If the person of Jesus is worth celebrating, any day we choose to celebrate His birth with a sincere heart honors the one who gave Himself for us all.

He [Jesus] is the express image of the invisible God, and we are complete in him (Col 2:10). To know this person is to know Truth; to love this person is to love life; to follow this person is to follow the light; to revere this person is to come to wisdom and understanding. Beloved, this Christmas celebrate Jesus. He is the theme and the message of the festive season. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Without Him, we can do nothing. Purpose to celebrate Christ, and Christ alone this Christmas. God bless you more.

 

FURTHER READING – 2 Peter 3:17

 Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How are you investing in knowing no other but Christ and Him crucified?

 

PRAYER

I affirm that my completeness is found in Christ. I am completely filled with God as Christ's fullness overflows within me. I look up to none but Jesus. I trust in no works but the finished works of Christ. Jesus is my Shepherd and Him do I hearken.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Job 31; Job 32; Zechariah 8; Zechariah 9; Revelation 5; Revelation 6