Text: Luke 2:8 to 14.
And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky]
in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night.
9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the
Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly
frightened.
10But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring
you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.
11For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is
Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!
12And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]:
you will find [after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger
13Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of
heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men
with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].
Amplified Version.
We are just a few days to Christmas, a day billions of people around the
world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. For most part of the world,
December 25 in the Gregorian calendar has been agreed upon as the actual
birthday of Jesus Christ our Lord. This same date corresponds with January
7 in the Julian calendar. So whether it is December 25 or January 7, we
are in the season that marks the birth of the one man whose existence has
altered human historicity. It is such that all records are date either
before Him (that is Before Christ) or after Him (that is after His death).
Over the years since the date was established in the fourth century as the
birth day of Jesus Christ, many thinkers, philosophers, theologians and
historians have argued about the actual date. Many have argued for this
date while some have argued against it. At the end of all the arguments,
the most important thing is the fact that Jesus Christ was born and His
entry into humanity totally has changed the course of nature. There is no
denial any more of the fact that Jesus is significant. There is no
controversy any more that Jesus is relevant. His relevance spans culture,
creed and country lines. His relevance alters racial and religious frames.
His relevance and significance touches both heaven and earth realms.
From our text above, we can see that the Christmas story actually began
from heaven. We see the angel that brought the news came from heaven. When
he announced the birth of baby Jesus, there were hosts of angels, an army
of angels, praising God. It must have been an exciting news indeed for an
army to be jubilating. An army is supposed to be war minded and battle
ready. But this time, they were celebrating. As I write this message, I am
in California, where I see the excitement in the air because it is
Christmas. Yes, the harsh economic downturn is still there but people are
in the mode for celebration because Jesus was born in a time like this.
There is tension and stress around. Yet, the announcement of the birth of
Jesus drowns all the stress. People must celebrate because the season
creates an atmosphere of celebration.
The story began in heaven and winds up on earth. When the first news was
heralded in our text, there were just a few shepherds who were opportune
to hear the news. Now, the news fills the whole earth. Billions of people
around the world are aware of what happened two thousand years ago.
Although the story is old, it is still new. In fact, it is an old story
happening to new people. It never gets old. It is always as fresh as it
was two thousand years ago. The freshness of this news tells us its
message. It is the message of good tidings. That is why it is called good
news!
It is not the story that is fresh. It is the message. The angel said that
the message was good news that will bring great joy to all people. “… I
bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.”
Luke 2:10. The message will bring great joy to all people in spite of
their race, color, gender, status or bias. It will bring great joy to the
black, white, green or colored. It will bring great joy to the Asian,
African, American, Australian and European. No matter your religious bias,
this message will bring great joy to you. This is why this message should
not be limited to some. It should not be restricted to a few because every
human needs great joy in life. Who wants to be miserable through life? No
one, I guess. Who wants to go through life sad? No one, I guess. Then,
this message is for all people of all races.
What is the message that makes the Christmas story relevant and
significant? It is simple. The angel said, “For to you is born this day in
the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!” Luke
2:11. The message is about the Person of Jesus Christ. The message is
about the Savior, the Christ, the Messiah and the Lord. Every human being
born into this world needs a Savior, the One who saves from sin and its
consequences. From the first man, Adam, who sinned against God to you and
me, we are all sinners. Since the first man sinned, his genes are in each
of us. Thus, we all became sinners not necessarily by what we have done
but by the bloodline. Romans 3:22-23 says, “…For there is no difference;
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” You are not
different from me or the person next to you. Galatians 3:22 says, “But the
Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus
Christ might be given to all those who believe.” Wow!
That is the good news! Yes, we were all confined to the prison house of
sin in this flesh. Yet, there is an escape for each of us. That escape is
Jesus Christ, the Savior! The word savior means someone who rescues or
saves or delivers another from danger or harm. Jesus came on a rescue
mission. This mission was declared before He was born in Matthew 1:21,
“And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS, for
He shall save His people from their sins.” He declared His mission in Luke
19:10, “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was
lost.” This is His mission. This is the message. This is His story. This
can be your story only if you believe in the message by receiving Jesus
Christ into your heart today.
The Christmas story is only complete when those to whom the message was
sent receive the message, the Person of Jesus Christ into their hearts.
Why should you receive Him? He will bring you great joy. Why not another
person? He is the Christ, the One anointed by God as Savior. None other
has been anointed or appointed by God to save or rescue or deliver you.
Jesus is the ONLY Savior. You can receive Him today by saying out loud,
‘Jesus, I believe in my heart that You are the One sent by God to save and
deliver me. Come into my heart this moment. Take Your place as the Lord of
my life from this moment. Jesus Christ, I confess You as my Lord, my
Savior, my Messiah. Amen.’
Merry Christmas!
Copyrights© Bishop Michael O. Amamieye, 2011. www.aggressivefaith.org
It is well!
Yours truly,
In covenant bond with Jehovah,
Bishop Michael O. Amamieye
Evangelist/Teacher to the Nations
www.aggressivefaith.org
Phone: +234-84-492065
Hotline: +234-803-673-2188
In the United States of America: +1-612-235-6627
In the United Kingdom, +44-7706888631
MINISTRY UPDATE
One, give thanks to the Lord for what He is doing with us here in
California since we arrived last Saturday in San Jose and Sacramento. God
has been touching lives with our message. My wife and I are surviving the
cold. We are more than conqueror!
Two, pray along with us as we minister this Sunday here in Sacramento. We
want to see people saved, healed, delivered and filled with great joy.
Three, pray for us and plant your precious seed to help us take the gospel
to the nations as I go to Huntingdon, United Kingdom next week for a
crusade next weekend. You can buy my plane ticket. Pray and partner with
us.
Four, pray for my wife as I leave her in Houston where she will be until I
get back from England. Pray for openings for her and favor with the
people.