Christmas? ? ? Huh?

It’s not even Christmas yet and I’ve seen Christmas decorations up as early as late November! I went to Midvalley the other day and I saw all the beautiful Christmas decorations and I was in awe. They really did a great job in bringing the Christmas mood on. As I walked past every shop, I saw people dressed in Santa and Santarina outfits and each shop was like competing on whose shop have the most beautiful decorations. And everywhere I could see the word “Merry Christmas” written somewhere or hung up on the ceiling bla bla bla... I even took picture with this cute salesgirl that was dressed like a reindeer haha, she was really cute ok, no joke =) wished I could get her number... Just joking ;p you can have a look at her picture if you scroll down this page, BUT please read this post first! =D thanks.

Well, what is Christmas? Is it about Santa Clause, Santarina, exchange of gifts, Christmas tree, beautiful lights, dance, nice decorations? Everyone is celebrating Christmas but many do not know the true meaning behind this celebration. So witty has the world corrupted the meaning of Christmas, couples take this “special” day to date to make it more “meaningful”, parents buy gifts for their children this one time a year, children take this opportunity to ask their dad for gifts. I did not say all these are wrong, it is fine with me, but what makes it wrong is when we get so into the celebration that we FORGET WHY Christmas was celebrated in the first place.

During this time of the month we take this as a time where we go around asking our friends for gifts and telling them what we want. And when we get what we asked for we are not really satisfied and want more. Sometimes what we don’t have, we want, when we get it, we want more, and at last we find that we don’t need it. I’ve asked for many things from my parents before, when I was young I asked for Power Rangers action figures, after playing with it I got bored, then I wanted Pokemon cards, and I just couldn’t have enough, but in the end I fell out of that too. We ask and ask and ask for what we want for Christmas but we forget that Christmas is not about what we want but what we NEED...

There’s a difference, we want shoes, but we need water to survive. We want that cool cap but we need the money to buy food. We want this we want that but we need this and we need that.

Let me tell you what Christmas is all about; Christmas is not about Santas or mistletoes, not about snow or reindeers, nor is it about sleighs or Christmas trees, Christmas is about getting what we need...

The greatest gift of Christmas is not having what we want but rather what we need. I will be straightforward now, ALL of us NEED JESUS. The gift of Christmas is salvation that is found in Christ Jesus:

Romans 6:23
For the wages (result) of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because sin separated us from God, it is impossible for us to go to heaven, but ever since God is a loving God and He is God of second chance, He gave us a remedy for sin. That remedy is Jesus. God sent His Son Jesus to earth as a human form to die for us and for our sins (past, present and future) once and for all. He came to die for us, for YOU! And on the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead. His death gave us eternal life;

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

And all of us are entitled to have this eternal life, but we have to do something first. All that God only ask of us is that we give Him our heart, not money, not burnt offerings, not clothes; He doesn’t need them or want them either. He only wants our heart. If we believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord and Savior and that He came to earth to die for our sins, then you are saved. It’s as easy as that.

Romans 10:9-10
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

THIS is Christmas, and the reason for this celebration? In remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ who came to redeemed our souls. So Christmas is not about Santa anymore, but about Jesus Christ and the free gift He offers to us. This gift is found wrapped in the most beautiful wrapping paper, bound together with compassion, sealed with care, sent to you with love, this gift has your own name written on it, the gift – Jesus Christ. So invite Him into your life right now, He is what you need. You may not want Him but you better do because you need Him.

If you have decided to have Jesus in your life, say this short prayer;
“Dear Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for me. I realize that I’m a sinner and I confess that You are Lord and You are my Savior. Come into my heart right now. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name I ask and pray, Amen.”

If you have said that prayer, know that the heavenly host are rejoicing and I would like to share that joy as well, e-mail me at zlwin.jesusfreak@gmail.com
God bless and have a Blessed Christmas!!! =)

Romans 5:8
God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Celebrating the Gift,
Zlwin Chew