Posts in category: Top Stories

The year ending 2023, I began with the “Repositioning Series” to reflect the cause of my spiritual and social endeavours influenced largely by my church’s operational theme, ‘Repositioning the Local Church for Maximum Impact,’ which invariable has great impact on how we live and conduct our affairs as members of The Church of Pentecost.

Heading into 2024, another new dimension has been laid upon us and I seek to refocus in becoming an instrument to be used to transform my space and my writing assignment would therefore be renamed as the Unleashed Series.

My first “Unleashed Series” is the reason for the season – Christmas.  Christmas undoubtedly is the greatest festivity in the human race and its impact would outlive our world.

For my church Christmas convention for this year, I am so blessed that I am one of the speakers. This write-up is basically my message delivered at the convention. The theme for the convention is on “Fear Not, I bring you Good news.” Luke 2:10—11. This scripture is an encounter between an angel whose name was not given and some Shepherds. This encounter was actually to confirm the fulfilment of an earlier encounter between God’s messenger in Angel Gabriel and a young virgin Mary in Luke 1:26.

Luke 1:26 states specifically that it was God who sent the Angel Gabriel to Mary to announce to her that she would give birth to the Saviour of the world.  When Mary doubted the authenticity of the news based on her circumstance at the time, the angel only moved to give her the blessed assurance that what she was about to witness what something that heaven had already taken care of and needed her space (womb) for the manifestation of the grace through the works of the Holy Spirit to carry the seed of the Son of God.

This was the news the world had been waiting for and this encounter was not made known to anyone though a lot had been written and prophesied about the birth and saving works of Jesus Christ in the Bible.

In God’s dealings, when the time for manifestation has come it has to be announced. In the beginning when it was the manifested time for heaven and earth to be created, it was announced by God Himself.  So, when the Saviour of the world, our hope of glory, the captain of our salvation, the builder of the broken walls of humanity, the restorer of the relationship between humanity and God was born, everyone needed to share in the joy of heaven by hearing the good news.

It was not the duty of Mary and Joseph to announce this birth but rather a heavenly messenger to publicize the divine identity of God becoming man. Then the big question follows as to why God will need to become man in the person of Jesus to save the world? 

After many years and centuries, heaven finally reached an execution plan on how to take back the world from the hands of Satan as was delivered to him by man and divert the cause of humanity to its origin plan and state. So, when the Son of God was born, it was the duty of angels to announce as just it will be the duty of angels to pronounce the coming of the rapture.

In Luke 2:9, when the angel said “Fear not” it had two meanings. One could be the natural fear that would come upon the people by seeing the angel in the natural domain of man. According to the law of territorial possession, spirits cannot dwell on this earth unless they come in human form or body, so anytime angels appear to people, the first thing is to assure them not to fear. One striking observation from the encounter between the shepherds and the angel was the glory of the Lord that shone around the place. It is not every time that angels appear and their appearance are characterized by the glory of God especially in the New Testament days. But in this scenario, we are told the glory of God shone so bright. This makes meaning of the saying when the Lord comes down, His glory comes with Him. The news of Jesus’ birth needed to be celebrated with pomp and pageantry. Luke account says other heavenly host joined the angel in singing praises to God. Hallelujah! Joy to our world, our Saviour is born.

The second meaning of the word ‘Fear not’ is the assurance it carries to humanity. After many decades of man’s depravity, finally there was coming to a closure on sin’s power over man and man’s fear of death. In Hebrews 2:9, Bible says “But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” In the same Hebrews 2:14,15, records that “..through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.”

In the proclamation of the blessed assurance came forth the revelation of the good news; Christ was born. This was the blessed good news humanity had been waiting for. Something is declared as good news when it has the potency to change the cause of affairs of one’s life, to bring ultimate improvement, comes all of a sudden to meet a fading expectation after many years of waiting and one that can be perceived as a miracle pertaining to our state of living.

Christ’s birth was a miracle. It was a miracle because in Matthew 1:21, Bible describes the reason for his birth; “..for he will save his people from their sins.” Not only this, but the nature of His birth also makes it a miracle. Christ Jesus was born because of man’s sin. That was the good news the angel carried. If man had not sinned, there would be no need for Jesus Christ to come on earth

When man sinned in the beginning of creation, man lost three things and the birth of Christ was the only avenue to restore these three things. The devastating effect of man’s disobedience and consequently sin was the loss of the righteousness of God, the dominion mandate and the Spirit of God. Significantly, without his birth, humanity would have been lost and bound for the total destruction and would have made meaningless of God’s original intent of creating the world and His special role for man. From the beginning of the volume of the books to the end, there is no denying the fact about the love of God for man.

The first thing Jesus’ birth signifies was the restoration of the dominion mandate man handed over to the devil that had given him the legal right to control the affairs of the world (2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 John 5:19) and access to manipulate man’s life to the point of destruction and death. In God’s own idea of creating the world was to give a very special place to man. In Genesis 1:26-28 tells us that God made man in His image, after His likeliness and blessed man with dominion. These are precious things God did for man.

Because of this dominion charge, God permitted man to name all the things He God had created and whatever name man called the creation of God, so its name became (Genesis 2:19). What a blessed privilege man had. Not only this but God went further to entrust all the creation into man’s care and charged him to exercise control over everything on this earth. This is the dominion God trusted to man in the beginning of creation. This was what man considered so lightly and exchanged the gifted possession of the sovereign power over the entirety of God’s creation for the passion of the flesh and thus lost hold of his controlling power and mandate on earth.  This mandate was what the devil was after all this while and confirmed to Jesus in the first encounter between light and darkness in Luke 4:6; “To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.”

Christ birth was to renew the hope of man living the righteousness of God. The righteousness of God which man was created with is the very nature of God. God’s nature rests with His communicable and His incommunicable attributes. Righteous is one of his communicable attributes. Communicable attributes are the attributes God shares with man while His incommunicable attributes He does not share with any.

After disobeying God’s command not to eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, both Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened and they knew they were no longer perfect before God. 

Righteousness is the ability of the believer to stand before God without a sense of guilt or condemnation. Bible gives testimony of what God expects of His children on earth.

“… that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” Job 1:1. “And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil.” Job 1:8

“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” Luke 1:6

 The third aspect of the glory of His birth was the restoration of the Spirit of God in man.

In the Garden of Eden in the beginning, God told Adam that if he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good & evil that he would surely die. (Genesis 2:17). When this happened, Adam did not die instantly, even though this action of Adam brought about physical death. What God was referring to was Spiritual death and it was immediate. The Spirit that Adam & Eve once had, that allowed them communion with God, was cut off and they were driven from the Garden, from the presence of God and from fellowship with Him. So, the first Adam lost the Spirit, and all others after him have been born without it as well. We are there lost and unregenerate. We are cut off from God.

Thus faith in Jesus Christ brings about regeneration. According to Matthew Barret, Regeneration is “work of the Holy Spirit to unite the elect sinner to Christ by breathing new life into that dead and depraved sinner so as to raise him from spiritual death to spiritual life, removing his heart of stone and giving him a heart of flesh, so that he is washed, born from above and now able to repent and trust in Christ as a new creation.”

Jesus’ birth is a big deal for humanity. It is an act of God’s love to restore the world to its origin state and God handing over His creation subject to man.

It is to renew our hope of walking in our dominion mandate, exhibiting the very nature or the communicable attributes of God in our daily life and living constantly in His presence and enjoying the sweet fellowship we once shared in the Garden.

Written by Elder Keith Eubulus

As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in festivities and indulge in delicious treats and lavish meals. However, it’s important to prioritize our health and well-being during this time.

One key aspect of staying healthy during Christmas is practicing mindful eating. Amidst the celebrations, be conscious of everything you consume, including food, drinks, and beverages.

A careful study indicates that, particularly after celebrations like Christmas where people engage in eating, drinking, and merrymaking, many return to the hospital with diseases attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle during the festive season.

During Christmas and festive seasons, especially Christmas, there’s a lot of food, gifts, and merrymaking. After Christmas, many patients relax, and their conditions worsen. Those managing diabetes may experience poor sugar control due to the festive season, and those working on weight management often gain instead of losing.

It is, therefore, imperative to maintain a fitness schedule durimg the season in order to curb disease nuances. As we celebrate Christmas, let’s remember to be health-conscious and take care of ourselves.

Written by David Sablah (Freedom)

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.” (Matthew 2:1)

The religion of the East was heavily characterized by sorcery, magic and divination. Astrology was very popular in the East. It was the norm for kings to have a team of sorcerers and magicians who advise and provide spiritual direction.

The Greek word translated as “Magi” or “wise men” (as translated by King James) actually means magicians or sorcerers.

God, in His manifold wisdom and boundless mercies, not wanting anyone to perish in their sins, revealed to sorcerers in their own practice that the Savior has been born.

In fact, God has left a sign in all cultural and religious practices of men that point to Christ. Anyone who can recognize the sign that the Savior of the world has been born, and submit to Him in reverent worship is wise indeed!

The gifts presented to the newborn Jesus by the Magi are also instructive and symbolic.

First of all, they presented gold. It’s known in biblical times that kings were often paid in gold.

“The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents.” (1 Kings 10:14).

When someone ascends a throne, he is often adorned in gold as a royal status symbol.

“Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.” (Genesis 41:42)

Therefore, knowing very well that the baby is a king, the wise men presented him with gold as a recognition of his royalty.

Secondly, they presented frankincense. The root word for frankincense means “high quality incense.” The burning of incense is a widespread practice in the temples of deities. In biblical times, frankincense was burned in the temple as an offering to God.

He was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. (Luke 1:9)

The presentation of frankincense was an indication of their recognition of the deity of Jesus. The wise men didn’t stop here. Their actions backed the symbol of their gift, in that they actually bowed down to worship the baby Jesus.

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him…” (Luke 2:11)

At this point, their submission to the lordship of Jesus is final and conclusive.

Furthermore, the wise men presented myrrh as a gift. This was the weirdest item in their treasury. Myrrh was commonly used to embalm dead bodies in ancient times. It was also a Jewish custom to embalm the dead with myrrh. When Jesus died, Nicodemus brought myrrh.

“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus…He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:38-40)

The offering of the myrrh by the wise men was therefore prophetically symbolic of the death of Jesus. We are blessed by the birth of Jesus, but it is His death that brings us redemption.

Today, Jesus’ star is still glaring in the sky, and no honest spiritual seeker will struggle to see it. The star leads us precisely to the place of the acknowledgement of the royalty, deity and sacrificial death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Written by Overseer Joel Kwesi Baidoo (Kpandai New Town District)

The celebration of Christmas is indeed a special and joyous occasion for people, especially Christians, worldwide. Christmas, observed on December 25, is an annual celebration that holds great significance in the Christian calendar. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of the Christian faith, and reflects on the event’s deep spiritual meaning. While the holiday is widely celebrated around the world, the true meaning and deeper aspects of Christmas often remain a mystery to many. This article aims to unravel the mysteries behind Christmas and draw valuable lessons for the contemporary Church. By exploring this celebration’s historical and spiritual dimensions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the profound impact Christmas holds for believers today.

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

Charles H. Spurgeon said, “the birth of Jesus Christ is the grandest light of history, the sun in the heavens of all time. It is the pole-star of human destiny, the hinge of chronology, the meeting place of the waters of the past and future. It conveys the idea that Jesus’ birth is a transformative event that shapes the course of time and serves as a guiding light for humanity. The association of Christmas celebrations with pagan festivals can be traced back to ancient times. Notably amongst these festivals were Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti by the Romans. According to Joseph F. Kelly in his book “The Origins of Christmas”, Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival that took place from December 17th to December 23rd, during the time of the winter solstice. It was dedicated to the god Saturn, who was associated with agriculture and abundance. Saturnalia was a time of great revelry and merriment, where social norms were temporarily suspended, and people engaged in feasting, drinking, and gambling. Slaves were allowed certain privileges during Saturnalia, such as being able to wear the clothing of their masters and being served by them. Gift-giving was an important part of Saturnalia, as small tokens of friendship and appreciation were exchanged among friends and family. The festival featured a public banquet, where people gathered to indulge in elaborate meals and delicacies. Romans also decorated their homes with greenery, such as holly and ivy, and lit candles to symbolise light amid darkness. Saturnalia was believed to bring good luck and fertility for the coming year, and it served as a way to honour Saturn and ensure the continuation of prosperous agriculture.

Also, the festival of Natalis Invicti, meaning the birth of the unconquered Sun, was a Roman festival celebrated on December 25th. It was dedicated to the sun god Sol Invictus, whom the Roman Emperor Aurelian popularised in the 3rd century CE. The festival was influenced by various solar deity cults and had similarities to other winter solstice celebrations in the ancient Mediterranean world. Although there is a debate regarding the exact origins of the festival, it is often associated with the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun after its shortest day. The festival marked the turning point of winter, when days began to lengthen, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness. Celebrations also included feasting, gift-giving, and lighting candles and bonfires to honour the sun god. The birth of Sol Invictus was viewed as a divine event, and it served as a reminder of the emperor’s divine authority and power.

THE MYSTERY OF CHRISTIANIZATION OF THE CELEBRATIONS

As Christianity spread across the Roman Empire, many pagan practices and traditions assimilated into Christmas celebrations, allowing for an easier transition and acceptance of the new Christian holiday.In an effort to Christianize the existing pagan festivals and appease the Roman population, the early Christian church decided to adopt and transform these celebrations into Christian ones.Pope Julius I officially declared December 25th as the birthdate of Jesus Christ in the 4th century, likely in an attempt to replace the Festival of Natalis Invicti (sun god) with a Christian holiday, that is, the celebration of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Many traditions associated with Saturnalia and the Festival of Natalis Invicti were incorporated into Christian Christmas festivities. For example, the gift-giving tradition was reinterpreted to symbolise the gifts brought by the Wise Men to the baby Jesus. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and candles also became part of Christmas symbolism, representing eternal life and the light of Christ. Additionally, the focus shifted from pagan gods like Saturn and Sol Invictus to the birth of Jesus, marking the shift from a celebration of nature and worldly abundance to the birth of the Christian Savior. The Christian Church aimed to provide a familiar and acceptable framework for the celebration while infusing it with new religious meaning. The Christianization of the Roman Saturnalia and the Festival of Natalis Invicti helped the early Christian Church in its mission to spread Christianity and gain acceptance among the pagan population by repurposing and transforming existing celebrations into a Christian context.

LESSONS FOR THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH

The Christmas season holds a significant place in the hearts and minds of Christians worldwide. Beyond the festivities and traditions, the celebration of Jesus’ birth offers valuable lessons applicable to the contemporary Church and believers. By embracing the lessons that emanate from Christmas celebrations, the Church can renew its commitment to its mission and inspire transformative change in its members and the world.

Firstly, Christmas reminds all believers of the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity. According to Martin Luther King Jnr, ‘God doesn’t love us because of our worth, we are of worth because God loves us’. The birth of Jesus represents the divine plan to reconcile humanity to God through sacrificial love. The contemporary Church should recognise and reflect this profound example in its ministry. John 3:16 states, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son…’ By embodying the love of Christ, the Church can bring healing, hope, and reconciliation to a broken world.

Secondly, the Christmas story reminds the Church of the humble circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth. In a lowly manger, surrounded by animals, the Savior of the world entered the scene. This lesson of humility calls the contemporary Church to reject pride and worldly power. The Church ought to serve humbly, seeking to lift the marginalised, proclaiming the good news of Christ without arrogance.

Furthermore, Christmas is a season marked by joy and celebration. The birth of Christ represents the fulfilment of God’s promises, and the arrival of the long-awaited promised Messiah. The contemporary Church can learn from this lesson of joy – to rejoice in the good news of salvation and to radiate hope to the world. In the face of challenges and hardships, the Church can be a beacon of joy, reminding humanity of the transformative power of Christ’s message.

Moreover, the Christmas narrative emphasises unity and reconciliation. The birth of Jesus Christ brought together people from different backgrounds. That is, the shepherds, the wise men, and the angels were all drawn together to worship the newborn King. This lesson of unity calls the contemporary Church to cultivate a spirit of inclusivity. Embracing diversity, the Church can witness the transformative power of Christ’s message by fostering unity and love among its members.

Also, the magi, who presented gifts to the infant Jesus, taught the Church the importance of generosity. Their act of giving reflects the heart of worship and devotion. In a consumer-driven world, the contemporary Church can learn from this lesson and prioritise generosity in its mission. An American writer, Washinton Irving, said, ‘Christmas is the season for rekindling the fire of hospitality’. By generously serving others, supporting the needy, and sharing resources, the Church can tangibly demonstrate Christ’s love to the world.

In addition, the Christmas story exhibits the faithfulness of individuals like Mary and Joseph, who obediently fulfilled God’s plan despite facing challenging circumstances. The contemporary Church can draw from its example and commit to its mission to preach the gospel and make disciples. In the face of an ever-changing world, the Church should remain steadfast, trusting in God’s promises and acting obediently.

Lastly, the Christmas season offers the Church an opportunity for reflection and renewal. During this time, the Church can reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth and its profound implications for humanity. It can renew its commitment to the core teachings of Christ, evaluating its practices and aligning them with the message of love, compassion, and justice.

CONCLUSION

The mystery behind the celebration of Christmas offers relevant lessons for the contemporary Church. By reflecting and applying these lessons, the Church can navigate the challenges of the holiday season, convey the valid message of Christmas, and impact the lives of believers and non-believers alike.Christians must not just be carried away by the fan and excitement that come with it but must seize the occasion to develop an intimate relationship with the indescribable gift of God to mankind. We must always bear in mind that Christ is the reason for the Season.

Written by Pastor Prince Augustine Ababio (Jema Nkwanta District, Kintampo)

INTRODUCTION

Some think the celebration of Christmas is not necessary. Do they have a point? Should a Christian celebrate Christmas? Does it matter if you get Santa Claus paraphernalia and a Christmas tree in your home? Some Christians think that all these are unnecessary and that participation in them amounts to idolatry. Could this be true? By the grace of God, this article will seek to respond to these questions.

I was inspired in December 2015 to contribute to the subject because of the increasing efforts by secularist to deconstruct Christmas; a number of the youth, in their confusion, keep asking such questions as posed above. In this article, therefore, we will look at a brief history of Christmas, Santa Claus, Christmas gifts, and the Christmas tree and go on to examine the questions posed above in the light of the Word of God with these historical accounts in the background. I humbly recommend that you make time to read and add to the insights you may have gathered on the subject over the years.

HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS

Roman pagans first introduced the holiday of Saturnalia, a week-long period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17 and 25. During this period, Roman courts were closed, and Roman law dictated that no one could be punished for damaging property or injuring people during the weeklong celebration. The festival began when Roman authorities chose “an enemy of the Roman people” to represent the “Lord of Misrule.”

Each Roman community selected a victim whom they forced to indulge in food and other physical pleasures throughout the week. At the festival’s conclusion, December 25th, Roman authorities believed they were destroying the forces of darkness by brutally murdering this innocent man or woman. The ancient Greek writer poet and historian Lucian (in his dialogue entitled “Saturnalia”) describes the festival’s observance in his time.

In addition to human sacrifice, he mentions these customs: widespread intoxication; going from house to house while singing naked; rape and other sexual license; and consuming human-shaped biscuits. In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival hoping to take the pagan masses in with it.

Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians. The problem was that there was nothing intrinsically Christian about Saturnalia[1].

To remedy this, Christian leaders named Saturnalia’s concluding day, December 25th, to be Jesus’ birthday. Christmas has since become a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ. Today, Christmas is a time for family and friends to get together and exchange gifts.

The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25 was in 336 AD, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (who was the first Christian Roman Emperor); a few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on the 25th December.

The Church had little success, however, in refining the practices of Saturnalia. As Stephen Nissenbaum, professor of history at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, writes, “In return for ensuring massive observance of the anniversary of the Savior’s birth by assigning it to this resonant date, the Church for its part tacitly agreed to allow the holiday to be celebrated more or less the way it had always been.”

The earliest Christmas holidays were celebrated by drinking, sexual indulgence, singing naked in the streets (a precursor of modern caroling), etc. The Reverend Increase Mather of Boston observed in 1687 that “the early Christians who first observed the Nativity on December 25 did not do so thinking that Christ was born in that Month, but because the Heathens’ Saturnalia was at that time kept in Rome, and they were willing to have those Pagan Holidays metamorphosed into Christian ones.”[2] [3]

HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS TREES AND CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Just as early Christians recruited Roman pagans by associating Christmas with the Saturnalia, so too worshippers of the Asheira cult and its offshoots were recruited by the Church sanctioning “Christmas Trees”[4]. Pagans had long worshipped trees in the forest or brought them into their homes and decorated them, and this observance was adopted and painted with a Christian veneer by the Church.

Again, in pre-Christian Rome, the emperors compelled their most despised citizens to bring offerings and gifts during the Saturnalia (in December) and Kalends (in January). Later, this ritual expanded to include gift-giving among the general populace. The Catholic Church gave this custom a Christian flavor by re-rooting it in the supposed gift-giving of Saint Nicholas[5]

HISTORY OF SANTA CLAUS

Saint Nicholas was born in Parara, Turkey in 270 CE and later became Bishop of Myra. He died in 345 CE on December 6th. He was only named a saint in the 19th century. In 1087, a group of sailors who idolized Nicholas moved his bones from Turkey to a sanctuary in Bari, Italy. There Nicholas supplanted a female boon-giving deity called The Grandmother, or Pasqua Epiphania, who used to fill the children’s stockings with her gifts. The Grandmother was ousted from her shrine at Bari, which became the center of the Nicholas cult.

Members of this group gave each other gifts during a pageant they conducted annually on the anniversary of Nicholas’ death, December 6.

The Nicholas cult spread north until it was adopted by German and Celtic pagans. These groups worshipped a pantheon led by Woden –their chief god and the father of Thor, Balder, and Tiw. Woden had a long, white beard and rode a horse through the heavens one evening each autumn. When Nicholas merged with Woden, he shed his Mediterranean appearance, grew a beard, mounted a flying horse, rescheduled his flight for December, and donned heavy winter clothing. In a bid for pagan adherents in Northern Europe, the Catholic Church adopted the Nicholas cult and taught that he did (and they should) distribute gifts on December 25th instead of December 6th. In 1809, the novelist Washington Irving wrote a satire of Dutch culture entitled “Knickerbocker History”.

The satire refers several times to the white-bearded, flying-horse-riding Saint Nicholas using his Dutch name, Santa Claus. Dr. Clement Moore, a professor at Union Seminary, read Knickerbocker History, and in 1822 he published a poem based on the character Santa Claus: “It was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there…” Moore innovated by portraying a Santa with eight reindeer who descended through chimneys.

The Bavarian illustrator Thomas Nast almost completed the modern picture of Santa Claus. From 1862 through 1886, based on Moore’s poem, Nast drew more than 2,200 cartoon images of Santa for Harper’s Weekly. Before Nast, Saint Nicholas had been pictured as everything from a stern-looking bishop to a gnome-like figure in a frock. Nast also gave Santa a home at the North Pole, his workshop filled with elves, and his list of the good and bad children of the world. In 1931, the Coca-Cola Corporation contracted the Swedish commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to create a coke-drinking Santa. Sundblom modeled his Santa on his friend Lou Prentice, chosen for his cheerful, chubby face. The corporation insisted that Santa’s fur-trimmed suit be bright, Coca-Cola red. This is how the present portrait of Santa Claus came about.

THE GOSPEL AND CHRISTMAS

What have we gathered out of history up to this point? The elements in the present Christian annual commemoration dubbed Christmas have a pagan origin – the festival was Saturnalia changed into Christmas; worshipped tree imported as Christmas tree; and Santa Claus imported as the source of gifts given during Christmas. Again, we realize that 25th December was an arbitrary date chosen to closely coincide with the original birthday of Jesus Christ which remains unknown precisely except He was born in the year 3 BCE – the exact day and month still unknown. This is the bare fact. One may ask, if all the elements of Christmas have no original roots in Christianity but rather paganism, why do we need to position the birth of Christ on 25th December and celebrate it as Christmas? I seek to respond to this question through the points below: 1.

SATAN CREATES NOTHING; HE ONLY CONTAMINATES CREATION

Satan is not the Creator. God Almighty- Yahweh- is the Creator of all things. Everything was created by the Word through the Word for the Word. Jesus is the Word of God. Nothing belongs to Satan; all things are for Christ. What does this imply? Satan only steals, kills, and destroys the things God has created for His glory. Festive celebrations described as pagan or evil were not created by the Lord to be pagan. It is the devil who deceives humanity to use God’s creation to honor himself – thus defiling something that had been created originally with the glory of God in view.

For in him (Christ), all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him – Colossians 1:16 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made – John 1:1-3 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen – Romans 11:36 2.

ALL STOLEN THINGS BY SATAN MUST BE REDEEMED FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

It was very good that the Early Church made attempts to position Christ at the center of pagan celebrations. We could see that unfortunately the positioning was not properly done in the beginning. When that happens, syncretism is the result; the people take a bit of Christ and a bit of the initial pagan elements and mix the two. This phenomenon can happen anytime we improperly introduce Christ into a situation. The purpose of the coming of Christ was to pay the price to redeem all stolen things in the devil’s possession beginning from Adam. Jesus did this by paying for the sins of humanity; shedding His blood as the ‘reagent’ that re-births things back to God and resurrecting from death to prove that things that were dead due to sin can now be brought back to life.

All things were created through the Word; got stolen and contaminated by the devil and must now be re-created (born again) through the Word. It is not only human beings that need to be re-created (or born again) but indeed all things from cultures, music, politics, festivals, etc. Something or a person gets born again when Christ is positioned at the center of its existence. This was what the medieval church sought to do when it attempted to convert pagan culture back to Christ. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him, God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault – Colossians 1:19-21

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So, we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 3.

FESTIVALS OR NO FESTIVALS, WHAT MATTERS IS CHRIST

God does not judge anyone based on what he/she celebrates or doesn’t celebrate. What matters is Christ as Lord over the life of a person, a people, a culture, or a nation. Some people think that by celebrating a certain festival or wearing a certain dress or eating a certain food, they sin. No! Not so in Christ. In Christ, what matters in all we do, eat, say, or celebrate must be to the glory and praise of Jesus as Lord. Judging your spirituality by what you celebrate or not is a shallow indicator. God judges us by how much we honor Christ as Lord in aspects of our lives ‘You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away.

Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.

Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires’- Colossians 2:13-23 4.

CHRISTMAS OR NOT, CHRIST IS BORN

One can choose to celebrate Christmas or not. What does it even mean to celebrate Christmas- to buy a Christmas tree, buy Santa Claus caps for kids to visit friends and share love, or to go to Church and remember Christ?

What is important is that ONCE UPON A TIME GOD BECAME HUMAN BEING IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST TO SAVE HIS CREATION FROM SIN AND THE DEVIL.

You can choose any day to remember this; it could be in any month. However, positioning it on December 25 to coincide with other ‘pagan’ celebrations affords us, Christians, a great ‘marketing’ opportunity to displace the devil from celebration to reposition Christ and the center of such celebrations.

All celebrations and festivities must be redeemed for Christ. At Christmas, use the opportunity to demonstrate the love of God to people as a bridge to introduce Christ into their lives. Every good and perfect gift is from the Lord and not Santa Claus; the greatest of all such gifts is the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ who is God born as a human being to bring salvation to us. In Jesus Christ, we find the Mighty GOD, the Everlasting FATHER, the Wonderful COUNSELOR, and the Prince of Peace. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body – Colossians 2:9 So, the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son – John 1:14

CONCLUSION

We have seen that the origin of Christmas is pagan. We have also seen that the things we call pagan are not for the devil. All things were created by the Lord; Satan only contaminates to claim ownership. We have thus seen that the purpose Jesus Christ came to earth was to REDDEM all things back to God. Thus, as Christians, whether at Christmas or any day, our mandate is to live for Christ as Lord and also to introduce Christ into the lives of other people, cultures, celebrations, elements, etc. Jesus Christ was born in a manger at a date unknown except it was in 3BC. What matters is not the dispute over the date but for Christ to be born into the heart, or the “manger” of everything under the sun.

This is the centrality of all our existence as Christians – to spread this gospel of reconciliation. In this Christmas, let us not forget the relevance; we must do all things to the glory of the Lord Jesus. At the end of Christmas, Christ should have been born into the heart of someone because of the love of Christ you demonstrated to the person.

Not only on December 25 but consider every day as Christmas all year round. God bless us all

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God – 1 Corinthians 10:31

[1] The first mention of a Nativity feast appears in the Philocalian calendar, a Roman document from 354 CE, which lists December 25th as the day of Jesus’ birth

[2] Increase Mather, A Testimony against Several Profane and Superstitious Customs, Now Practiced by Some in New England (London, 1687), p. 35

[3] Stephen Nissenbaum, The Battle for Christmas: A Cultural History of America’s Most Cherished Holiday, New York: Vintage Books, 1997, p. 4

[4] Clement Miles, Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance, New York: Dover Publications, 1976, pp. 178, 263-271

[5] Miles, pp. 276-279

Written by Dr. Theresah Fianko-Larbi

As the holiday season unfolds, let’s embark on a journey to explore the profound distinctions between “CHRISTMAS” and “X-MAS(S).” Rooted in history and language, these terms carry significant meanings that go beyond the surface of festive celebrations.

• CHRISTMAS: A Divine Fusion:

The term “CHRISTMAS” intricately weaves together “Christ” and “Mass,” culminating in a celebration that transcends time and tradition. Its origins trace back to a pivotal moment in history – the birth of Jesus Christ.

• CHRIST: The Anointed One (Hebrew):

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

• MAS: A Gathering of People (Greek):

“…For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

DECODING THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTMAS

• “CHRISTMAS” encapsulates the divine message of “The Gathering of People of Christ,” echoing the unity and fellowship of Christ’s followers.

• X-MASS: A Distorted Reflection:

Contrastingly, “X-MASS” emerged as a deviation, seeking to diminish the spiritual resonance of the celebration.

• The “X” Factor: A Symbolic Absence:

“For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception…” (Titus 1:10)

PROMINENT VOICES ON THE MATTER:

As we navigate the delicate nuances between these terms, let’s draw inspiration from the words of influential figures and biblical teachings.

• C.S. Lewis: “You can make anything by writing.” – C.S. Lewis

Reflecting on Lewis’s words, let us be mindful of the impact our language can have on the essence of CHRISTMAS.

• Pope Francis: “Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace.” – Pope Francis

Embracing the true meaning of CHRISTMAS, Pope Francis emphasizes the inner joy and spiritual significance embedded in the celebration.

• Apostle Eric Nyamekye: The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost Worldwide, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in a Christmas Message in 2022, expressed grave concern about the clandestine move by some world leaders and powerful groups to suppress the celebration of Christmas, marking the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.

According to the revered cleric, “Satan is jealous about Christmas, so he is doing everything possible to expunge the name of Christ from Christmas and make it an ordinary holiday.

A CALL TO PRECISION AND SPIRITUAL REFLECTION:

This festive season, let’s share the message of “MERRY CHRISTMAS” with an awareness of its biblical roots and spiritual richness. Avoiding the inadvertent substitution with “X-MASS,” we honor the divine unity that this season symbolizes.

In the tapestry of holiday greetings, let our words resonate with the true essence of CHRISTMAS, echoing the unity, joy, and peace that Christ’s birth brings to our hearts.

Written by Daniel Kwabena Mantey

Your source of power will determine how far you can last or operate. Uninterrupted power that produces light will give you lasting illumination at your house, workplace, and even in the community. We are in a world where we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but rather fight rulers of darkness, principalities, etc. This means to overcome these rulers, you need a higher source that will give you the power to eliminate them.

The first major blackout in New York State occurred on November 9, 1965. This event is known as the Great Northeast Blackout and affected a large portion of the northeastern United States and parts of Canada. The blackout was caused by a series of equipment failures and human errors in the power grid. During the 1965 blackout, the Statue of Liberty did not go completely dark. The statue has its own separate electrical system, and while it experienced a partial loss of power, it did not blackout entirely. It’s worth noting that there have been other blackouts in New York State and the surrounding areas over the years, but the 1965 blackout was one of the most significant and widespread in the region’s history.

This story of the New York blackout and the Statue of Liberty having stable and different sources of power makes us aware that we should always have a constant and stable source.

WHO IS THE SOURCE?

Elohim is the source, the one who created the whole universe. The giver of life, as stated in Psalms 36:9, “You are the giver of life. Your light lets us enjoy life.”

We shall learn about a man in the Bible who, at one point, was connected to God as his main source but later was disconnected by his actions and disobedience.

Samson was one of the judges of Israel and was known for his incredible strength. However, he lost his focus on God as his source when he was tempted by Delilah.

Delilah was a woman who was paid by the Philistines to discover the secret of Samson’s strength. Samson eventually revealed to her that his strength came from his long hair, and Delilah betrayed him by cutting his hair while he was asleep.

Samson lost his focus on God as his source and relied on his physical abilities, leading to his capture and eventual death. The lesson we can learn from his mistake is that we should always rely on God as our source and not on our abilities.

One of the key factors that led to Samson’s mistake was his pride and self-reliance. He had become so confident in his own strength that he failed to recognize that it came from God, not from himself. This is a danger that we all face: the temptation to rely on our own abilities and resources rather than trusting in God’s provision and strength.

We should always be humble and recognize that any talents or abilities we possess are gifts from God. We should also seek to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in God, knowing that He is our source of strength and power. As we rely on Him, we can be confident that He will give us the wisdom, guidance, and strength we need to overcome any obstacle or challenge that we may face.

HOW THEN CAN WE CONNECT TO THE SOURCE?

Constant daily devotion. Devotions should be observed both at the family and personal levels to help communicate with your service provider, that is, God. By doing that, you are constantly ready to combat the devices of the devil. We are saved from sinning when we constantly have our devotions. “David said, your word have I hidden in my heart that I may not sin against you.” As we connect with the source through constant devotions, God, who is the source, guides and directs our path. The Psalmist says, and I quote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to guide my path.”

Fasting and Prayer. This activity helps us to be constantly on autopilot with our source. It helps to be sharp in both spirit and physical. Our spirit antennal is always ready to hear from the source and is given enough strength to carry on the journey. It also humbles us as we fast, wait, and pray unto God.

SOME LESSONS TO LEARN FROM THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

Resilience in Adversity: The Statue of Liberty, standing tall and illuminated even during a blackout, symbolizes resilience in the face of adversity. It could be seen as a reminder that certain institutions, values, or symbols can endure challenges and remain steadfast.

Preparedness and Redundancy: The fact that the Statue of Liberty had its own separate electrical system might suggest the importance of having backup plans and redundancy in critical systems. This can be a lesson for individuals and organizations to be prepared for unexpected events.

Symbolic Significance: The Statue of Liberty is a powerful symbol of freedom and endurance. Its ability to remain partially lit during a blackout could be seen as a metaphor for the enduring spirit of liberty and the values it represents, even in challenging times.

Hope and Inspiration: In a symbolic sense, the Statue of Liberty not going completely dark during the blackout could be interpreted as a symbol of hope and inspiration. It can serve as a reminder that, even in difficult times, certain ideals and principles can continue to shine as beacons.

CONCLUSIONS

Our only source as Christians is God. We do not have any other source apart from the original source. Men will fail us when we rely on them as our source. But God is forever. We must eliminate pride and constantly be in communion with God.

Written by P/Overseer Solomon Boadi