According to “The Hill” News on December 25, 2018, the Iraqi government issued this announcement: “The Iraqi Cabinet has made Christmas Day, Dec. 25, a national holiday across its entire country.”
I believe this news brings hope for Christians in Iraq, who may now celebrate CHRISTmas openly. Because of the tragic history of persecution in Iraq by the Islamic State, I confess this announcement caught me by surprise. I consider it a huge blessing and pray for Iraqi Christians to be encouraged and filled with hope. I also pray that enemies of Christ will come to know the CHRIST of CHRISTmas personally and experience His hope, love, and peace.
A government tweet stated Monday this CHRISTmas greeting: ‘Happy Christmas to our Christian citizens, all Iraqis and to all who are celebrating around the world,’ and added Tuesday, ‘We extend our warmest wishes to Christians in Iraq and around the world for a very happy and peaceful Christmas.”
I am thankful that CHRISTmas hope still continues to be found on our planet!
If you are familiar with traditional CHRISTmas songs, then you’ve probably heard one of the best-known and most beloved hymns, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” The words were written by Joseph Mohr in 1816, and the music was composed by Franz Gruber on December 24, 1818. It was first performed that CHRISTmas Eve night in Oberndorf, Austria, at a worship service exactly two hundred years ago.
“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.
Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly host sing alleluia. Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
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! Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!”(Mohr)
I don’t know if the first Christmas night was a “silent night” as Mohr imagined, but I do believe it was a holy night filled with great hope! A young virgin mother who experienced a miracle in a Son’s unique birth surely would have been hopeful for more miracles in His life.
A man devoted to the young mother and devoted to the mission God had chosen for him was hopeful that with God’s help he could become an earthly father to this Child born of Holy God Himself.
Lowly shepherds heard an announcement by a heavenly host of angels and had enough hope to hurriedly leave their flocks to witness the miracle baby that was proclaimed along with peace and joy to the world and even to them personally!
I imagine that one holy night was overflowing with hope! All these first CHRISTmas participants experienced hope, because each experienced Jesus, the baby in the manger, who had stepped down from heaven to become the awaited Messiah. Before the world was created God’s plan for our salvation was set in motion, and hope was always included in His plan.
Wherever there is Jesus Christ, there is always hope! A Savior with no hope to offer the world would be sadly lacking.
Are you looking for hope? Jesus is near to be found, and He has an never-ending portion of hope for you personally.
“Suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'” (Luke 2:13, 14)
- As the Christian holy day nears, will you spend time pondering the true meaning of CHRISTmas?
In the book of Matthew in the New Testament we are told that the name of God’s gift to the world in the form of a baby was to be called Immanuel.
Immanuel means “God with us.” This name brings hope to our lost world. Surely there is no more hopeful reality than God Who loves the world enough to come be with us. He came to redeem us despite our falling short of His glory. He came to provide God’s salvation so we can be with Him throughout Eternity!
What could bring more hope than God with us? Yet too many people choose to ignore the awesome reality of the first CHRISTmas. Does it make sense to celebrate a birthday without inviting the Guest of Honor?
A “Scrooge” closes his (or her) eyes to the meaning of CHRISTmas. This results in being stressed and depressed and having too little peace in one’s own heart and no good will toward the rest of humanity.
In the busyness of life you may not give a thought to the One Who is CHRISTmas personified… God with us. Jesus Christ should be included in CHRISTmas of course. Even more than a passing thought, He should be our primary focus!
If you don’t know Jesus and want to… He is found in God’s Holy Bible, in God’s natural creation, in loving hearts of true believers. He can be found in your own personal life when you seek Him with your whole heart.
He came… He brings hope that makes our lives worth living… He is God with us!
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:23 nasb)
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 nasb)
“Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
His name is called Emmanuel.
God with us, revealed in us,
His name is called Emmanuel.
We love Him so, we love Him so,
His name is called Emmanuel.” (Bob McGee)
This is the month that many will celebrate Christmas, yet some seem oblivious to the Reason for the Season. Christmas is (or is meant to be) a celebration of the birth of a baby like no other. He is God’s gift to the world, given because He loves us so much. His plan is for humanity to believe in His only begotten Son, so we may live with Him forever. His Son, Jesus Christ, is the real reason for the season of joy.
I prefer to write it as CHRISTmas to honor Christ. There is no CHRISTmas without Christ. Of course, many people (including some believers) celebrate without giving a passing thought to Jesus Christ the Messiah when He should be our primary focus.
Some forget it’s a holy day and spend it merely as a holiday as they shop for expensive yet unappreciated gifts, indulge in excessive candy, party nonstop, drink heavily, decorate to impress, focus on fun traditions that include Santa, Rudolf, the Grinch, elves, and more.
I don’t want to rain on your CHRISTmas parade, but I suggest an evaluation to make sure we keep priorities in proper order. Don’t miss the most important reason for “Joy to the World” ever!
Having priorities out of order causes one to feel stressed and depressed, have little peace in one’s heart, and unlikely to express good will toward humanity.
The reality of God’s CHRISTmas gift and His love gives hope and results in peace and joy when we accept His free gift. There’s no better way to celebrate CHRISTmas than truly knowing hope, joy, and the real Reason for the Season.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and Peace on earth! Goodwill toward men!'” (Luke 2:11-14)
“Joy to the World! The Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing!”
(George Fredrick Handel)
