DECEMBER 9 CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTIAN MISSION By Christopher Gnanakan D.Min, Ph.D, D.D, The Director of Leadership Development, Christar Professor, Theology & Global Studies, Liberty University
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
An angel of God announced the most significant event in cosmic history to lowly shepherds—“Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
“Christmas” was the day a special “mass” was conducted to celebrate Christ’s birth! Mary brought forth what God from eternity planned and sent forth ( Missio Dei , Galatians 4:4). Let’s not get bogged down with the exact date that we forget the fact of Christ’s coming and command to go make disciples! Christ’s incarnation is an intrinsic part of the Go spel—which has an impelling “Go” within it! God’s revelation of His salvation in Jesus is linked to the Great Commission. This angelic message was a personal word to rejected shepherds, so socially oppressed that their hope was in God alone. This was a prophetic word, for God had, at last, fulfilled His promise of redemption through Jesus the Messiah. Israel’s expectations and the whole world’s salvation were embodied in Christ. It was a practical word that took care of the root of all problems—sin—by meeting our greatest need—forgiveness! Importantly, it was a purposeful word that brought peace on earth and goodwill among humans. Above all, receiving Christ as God’s gracious Gift brings glory to God in the highest! Note the shepherds’ twofold response: “Let us now go and see this for ourselves,” then they “made widely known” what God had revealed (Luke 2:15). Having personally experienced this joy, they were now chosen to publicly share their saving message to all people. The shepherds returned to their ordinary lives, yet they were on an extra ordinary mission. They became bearers of the Gospel as hope! Isn’t this what Christmas is all about?! "O Come Let Us Adore Him,” then, “Go Tell It On The Mountain!”
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