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'Tis the Season...
Written by Philip
Friday, 23 December 2005
On behalf of the administration of the Mission Russia Information Platform I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our friends, supporters, members and visitors a wonderful and blessed celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Some say we've never been commanded to celebrate this day; some say it's the wrong date altogether; some say it was a heathen celebration that was 'Christianised' by the church during the middle ages; some say it's been completely distorted, humanised and commercialised - and yes, they're all perfectly right!
However, some, myself included, like to celebrate the birth of Jesus as a memorial to His unselfish, all-sacrificing act of love to enter human history as a human being - born in the flesh (100% man) but not of the flesh (100% God). He knew that, from the foundation of the world, He was predestined to be slain (Rev. 13:8); to pay a terrible price so that we - the work of His hands and product of His love - may be reconciled with the Father, who is none other than God, the almighty Creator and sovereign Ruler of the universe.
So, although we've never been commanded or called upon to celebrate this occasion, and although the 25th of December (Western Christmas) used to be a heathen festival and the 7th of January (Russian Christmas) is also not the correct date (research points to somewhere in October being more likely), and although the season has been distorted and commercialised by the world - may you, while you remember and ponder the birth of our Lord, be truly and abundantly blessed. You, your loved ones, and those around you as you humble yourself before the One who took your place of shame, and radiate His love, mercy and grace to a world that is perishing without Him.
And if you wish to celebrate the birth of Christ - go ahead and do so with joy and to the glory of God (Romans 14:5,6)!
