Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday that brings joy and happiness to people around the world. Beyond the religious and cultural significance, Christmas offers numerous benefits that contribute to our overall well-being.
Through Christmas, souls are won each year
Christmas put a singular message on the forefront of the minds – the birth of Jesus Christ – the Savior who came to die to save mankind. This message is depicted in the nativity, carols, Christmas-themed movies, nine lessons, etc. Church seizes Christmas as an opportunity to speak louder about Jesus. On that day, it appears that both the world and Christians have agreed to preach about Christ, because aside from Christian institutions, even circular organizations, FM and TV stations, etc. make Christ known through carols, gift-giving, charity work, etc.
A homeless person who received love and donations opens his heart wide in appreciation to Christ. An unbeliever who watched the nativity on TV begins to ponder over it deeper than he had ever done. Through the carols, the event of Jesus’ miraculous birth is told to every listener. And some parents used the opportunity to teach their children about Jesus. Every year during Christmas, for the first time, the gospel begins to make sense to somebody and the Spirit of God leads them to appreciate it and accept Jesus for salvation.
Also, the very act of sharing the love of God with others such as orphans, the sick in the hospital, the aged in aged homes, etc. make these beneficiary open their hearts up to Jesus, in whose name all these good deeds are done.
Every year, souls are won during the Christmas festivities – this may happen quietly at home, at Christmas Gospel concerts, at Christmas conventions and crusades, or at Christmas-based programs.
Christmas fosters family reunions and homecoming
When Jesus was about to be born, a decree issued by Caesar Augustus compelled all individuals in Israel to return to their respective hometowns for a census. As stated in Luke 2:1-4, Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus, journeyed to Bethlehem, Joseph’s ancestral hometown. It was in Bethlehem that Jesus was brought into the world. This tradition of returning to one’s home or hometown has since become an integral part of the commemoration of Jesus’ birth.
The Christmas atmosphere is effective in drawing people homeward and many individuals endeavor to reach their families, homes, or hometowns to celebrate Christmas no matter where they are. And once they reach home, they reunite with parents, children, spouses, friends, and loved ones.
Christmas serves as a time for family reunions and homecomings, a special occasion where loved ones come together to share joy and create cherished memories. The atmosphere during this festive season is filled with warmth and love, serving as a reminder of the significance of familial bonds. Thus, Christmas has also become synonymous with family reunions.
Christmas fosters reconciliation and unity
The influence of Christmas opens up the heart of man to all manner of good things. Christmas provides a unique opportunity for reconciliation, as it is a time when individuals and communities come together to celebrate and mend relationships. It is a time for fostering unity, forgiveness, and harmony in various aspects of life, including the family, home, and workplace. Families gather around the Christmas tree, exchanging gifts and sharing meals, creating an atmosphere of warmth and love.
Similarly, in the professional sphere, Christmas can serve as a catalyst for resolving conflicts and promoting camaraderie among colleagues. Office parties and team-building activities are often organized to foster a sense of unity and cooperation. Christmas serves as a reminder to set aside differences and prioritize the importance of family and community. By embracing the spirit of Christmas, we can cultivate a more positive and supportive work environment.
Christmas is a time when the poor and needy experience the love of God
John the apostle of love, wrote this, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18).”
The birth of Jesus is good news – good news that inspired the wise men to bring gifts to baby Jesus. The Christmas season receives an outpouring of the spirit of generosity. People, both believers and unbelievers, in the name of Christmas, put the love of God on display by helping others in many ways.
The poor, street children, the sick, orphans, widows, the aged, and lonely people experience the love of God firsthand. In some churches, donations – money, food, gifts, etc. – are made to the widows and the aged. It is the only time of the year when individuals, organizations, and institutions organize parties for orphanages, street children, hospitalized children, etc. In this way, the less fortunate feel welcomed, accepted, loved, and cared for – in summary, they experience the love of God.
Christmas is an opportunity for rest and reflection
Christmas is not only a time for celebration and happiness but also a time for relaxation and introspection. As the year draws to a close, many individuals seize this opportunity to slow down, spend quality time with their loved ones, and ponder over the past twelve months.
It is a moment to express gratitude for the blessings and obstacles that have crossed our paths and to contemplate our goals and aspirations for the future. Whether it involves engaging in religious practices, finding solace in moments of solitude, or simply enjoying the company of family and friends, Christmas grants us the chance to pause and rejuvenate before embarking on a new year.
Therefore, as we exchange presents and indulge in festive meals, let us also take the time to rest our bodies and minds, and reflect upon the true meaning and significance of this extraordinary season. May your Christmas be filled with tranquility and joy, as well as moments of profound contemplation.
Christmas is an opportunity to return to the Lord
Every year comes with its own problems, struggles, ambitions, priorities, etc. Now some believers, because of the deceitfulness of riches, hardships, temptations, and the pursuit of materialism have lost touch with God, occupying themselves with their jobs or worldliness so much that they do not fellowship or engage in religious activities anymore.
The Christmas season allows this caliber of believers to slow down their endeavors, reunite with their families, take some rest off the job, and reflect on the past eleven months. In their reflection, they tend to acknowledge what God has done and out of gratitude, they turn up for church services and other religious programs.
Christmas is one of the best times of the year when backsliders or backsliding Christians repent and return to the Lord. Church attendance often sores up during the Christmas season because truant members of the church and backsliding Christians are returning home to the Lord. It is a time of the year that inspires even backsliding and mediocre believers to engage in prayer and introspection, attend religious gatherings, devote some time to read and contemplate on the Scriptures and contribute to benevolent causes to manifest the essence of Christmas.
Christmas has something for everyone
The generosity spirit goes beyond helping the poor. Nearly all institutions, organizations, or companies have some kind of Christmas package for the employees. This comes in the form of Christmas bonuses, hampers, and other gifts and we are happier than usual when we receive them. From the president, the king, the richest person, to the least person, Christmas brings one form of blessing or another into our lives.
Churches throw parties for the children and often donate to the aged members and widows. Church members in like manner exchange gifts and give gifts to the church leaders. In short Christmas set in motion a lot of good things; individuals, organizations, and companies become a blessing to others every Christmas.