Time to celebrate

Christmas message

by BISHOP Sonny E Williams,

presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies, St Vincent and the Grenadines District

Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus depicts of joyous celebration of a company of angels singing as it were the first Christmas carol.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14){{more}}

The Shepherd, to whom this jubilation was delivered, raced to the small town of Bethlehem to a stable behind the village inn and there they found a new born peasant child lying in an animal feeding trough. These ordinary men returned to their sheep, celebrating and praising God with great enthusiasm for their discovery.

Unfortunately this was not big news in Jerusalem that night. The great Roman Emperor, Herod, missed it. Kings and prophets of old anticipated this event with joy and celebration.

“You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy, they rejoice before you….For a child has been born for us, a son given to us….” (Isa 9:3,6)

Today, we too must celebrate the birth of a peasant child in a stable. But who is this child born to parents so poor and so without influence that they could not access a simple room for a mother in labour. Isaiah gives us the answer:

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulder and he is named Mighty Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6)

How could one so great even visit such a place as a barn in a low class town, in a third-rate nation – much less, be born there? Where were the heralding trumpets? Why has the whole nation of Israel not turned out for the celebration? Why do angels and a choir from heaven make this earth shattering announcement to only ordinary shepherds?

What in the world was God thinking? There is a clue in Luke 2:9, into what God is thinking by sending the Prince of Peace to such a place and through ordinary people. “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing good news of great joy for all the people”.

The good news is God’s love and grace. “Fear not”; he brings salvation, not condemnation; renewal not retribution; forgiveness, not punishment. That is amazing life changing news.

In review, the Christmas message begins with parents who are poor, a mother in labour with no place to go, a new-born child with no crib for a bed and visitors who came to the child who had no influence.

You see there is no reason to be afraid. There are no hurdles to overcome. No person is too poor or too uneducated or too insignificant to come to Christ. What a message! The message is for everyone.

Join the hundreds across the nation and come let us adore him. Gather to celebrate a story that touches our hearts at the core. It is a story of love. God came to us in the birth of Jesus.

The Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies, St Vincent and the Grenadines District, wishes all a joyous Christmas season of celebration. May the New Year be filled with goodness and joy.