Merry Christmas to you and your family! As we enter into the final week of the Christmas season, we are grateful for the many ways the Lord continues to bless us. He has shown us grace and mercy. The children who enter the gates of The Raining Season are transformed as they learn about Jesus and His faithfulness. Because of Him, we celebrate stories of redemption and healing.
Pastor William has graciously shared a Christmas message for The Raining Season family, focusing on how Christmas can be celebrated.
From Pastor William:
The Parcel for the Celebration of Christmas
As Christmas holds a piece of our hearts and lives, the excitement and the joy of Christmas is unmatched. We may also have divergent views about Christmas. Sometimes, we use different lenses depending on the circumstances in which we find ourselves. For some, the meaning of Christmas is a family thing, the gifts exchanged, and Christmas rituals – carol services, decorations, and other calendar activities. Amidst the clamoring and excitement of the season, celebrating Christmas cannot be done outside the reason for the season – Christ Jesus – whom we see in Isaiah 9:6.
What do we see inside of this parcel?
A child is born by the virgin Mary.
A son is given. This is God's gift of love for all.
A special child is born by a special woman.
A precious but expensive gift by the creator
He offered His and He Himself as Emmanuel God with us.
However, if we are to celebrate Christmas, we must do the following:
Celebrate by receiving and accepting the parcel
Celebrate the gift in the parcel – Immanuel
Celebrate and share the gift
Let's start from point number one, celebrating by receiving and accepting the parcel. Romans 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." while Hebrews 12:24 reads, "To Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." These verses remind us of His redemptive work for us. Furthermore, John 1:12 shares, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—" and John 3:16, "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." remind us of His gift of salvation.
Secondly, we celebrate the gift in the parcel – Immanuel – God is with us. We remember the reason for the season again through John 3:16 as we reflect on His love to mankind as well as John 14:6, "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This truth brings us hope in our trying world.
Finally, we celebrate and share the gift. This can be done by sharing love to one another as had been given to us in John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." This can also be done as we share with cheerful and joyful hearts, through generous giving, by reading the Christmas story and sharing it with others, by studying the word and reflecting on the truth, by singing Christmas hymns and songs and spreading the good news to the grieving and hurting. Finally, we can celebrate and share the gift by making peace with others as Colossians 3:13 reads, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
In conclusion, we should not attempt to celebrate Christmas without knowing the reason for the season. Rather, let's celebrate Christmas by receiving and accepting the richness of the parcel as we connect with all His redemptive and atoning work.
Let's celebrate the content of the gift in the parcel.... Immanuel ... God with us. His gift of love, hope, truth, and happiness. And let us not remain with the good news, but let's share the gift, the news, His peace, love, truth, and joy to everyone in every place, at any time starting from this moment. For unto us, a child is born, and unto us, a son is given, the everlasting father and the Prince of peace. A thoughtful and joyful Christmas should be celebrated in love, giving, carol service, and Christmas lessons..in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Thank you, Pastor William, for this meaningful message.
While our staff has been busy preparing for our annual Christmas celebration at the center, we want to wish you and your family God's peace and joy this Christmas and best wishes in the New Year. May your heart be filled with the love and joy of Christmas this holiday season! Thank you for partnering with us in 2024. We will take a short holiday break from our weekly email through the end of 2024. We look forward to continuing our mission with you in 2025!
Many blessings,
The Raining Season