Note: A Christmas message wrote by Brother Chong Zhuo Ling in 2008.
Dear friends, we are glad to welcome you to celebrate Christmas with us tonight. Apart from the food and warm festive atmosphere, we wish to share with you the true meaning of Christmas. It is not about party, nor is it about Christmas tree, Santa Claus, gift-exchanging… it is all about, and only about, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.
The plot of its history started, not 2000 years ago, but further back, further back…right after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, right after they sinned against God, by disobeying His command not to eat of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which brought all humanity under the bondage of sin, and made death, as sin’s penalty, inevitable.
It was in the Garden of Eden, God said to the serpent who tempted man: “…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers, he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) Man oh man, you could have ended in sin and death forever, hell would have been your habitation and eternal fire your cover. But, be patient, there is still hope…for one would come as the offspring of the woman, who would defeat your enemy-the serpent, and save you out of sin and death.
Day after day, month after month. Generations came and generations passed. There still was no sign of the coming of the offspring. However, it was not completely silent. Isaiah prophesied about him: “The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) Prophet Micah declared the word of the LORD: “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 old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2) Hear this oh man, God didn’t forget about the promised deliverer. He shall come…
Still another 700 years of silence. But it shall be silent no more, for prophecies that remained unfulfilled for ages shall come true.
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
“Who…who are you?”
“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be? Since I am a virgin…”
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God…For nothing is impossible with God.”
“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
It was not a peaceful time when angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. The kingdom of Israel was under Roman’s rule. And it was in those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
This is the history of Christmas. In its heart lies the greatest love one ever needs, the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ, for God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) In this Christmas season, God’s offer of peace to every man is again resounding. Dear friends, you can have this everlasting peace with God and enjoy eternal life with Him if only you would accept His Gift of love.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
The plot of its history started, not 2000 years ago, but further back, further back…right after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, right after they sinned against God, by disobeying His command not to eat of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which brought all humanity under the bondage of sin, and made death, as sin’s penalty, inevitable.
It was in the Garden of Eden, God said to the serpent who tempted man: “…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers, he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) Man oh man, you could have ended in sin and death forever, hell would have been your habitation and eternal fire your cover. But, be patient, there is still hope…for one would come as the offspring of the woman, who would defeat your enemy-the serpent, and save you out of sin and death.
Day after day, month after month. Generations came and generations passed. There still was no sign of the coming of the offspring. However, it was not completely silent. Isaiah prophesied about him: “The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) Prophet Micah declared the word of the LORD: “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 old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2) Hear this oh man, God didn’t forget about the promised deliverer. He shall come…
Still another 700 years of silence. But it shall be silent no more, for prophecies that remained unfulfilled for ages shall come true.
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
“Who…who are you?”
“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be? Since I am a virgin…”
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God…For nothing is impossible with God.”
“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”
Sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
It was not a peaceful time when angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. The kingdom of Israel was under Roman’s rule. And it was in those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Sing “Silent night”
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
sleep in Heavenly peace
sleep in Heavenly peace
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from Thy Holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
sleep in Heavenly peace
sleep in Heavenly peace
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from Thy Holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Sing “Hark! The herald angels sing”
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconcile
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild
God and sinners reconcile
Joyful, all ye nations, rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
This is the history of Christmas. In its heart lies the greatest love one ever needs, the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ, for God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) In this Christmas season, God’s offer of peace to every man is again resounding. Dear friends, you can have this everlasting peace with God and enjoy eternal life with Him if only you would accept His Gift of love.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
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