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Dr Nick Ohizu The Voice of God
Once again, Christmas is upon us. It is expected to be a time of merriment and happiness, a time of travel, holiday and rest.
Many are getting ready to embark on their journeys for this festive season. In as much as this season is encumbered with merriment, we also need to understand the spiritual connotations of the season so that we bring a balance in our festivities.
Christmas is a season that we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. God in his infinite wisdom has hidden in this season some blessings for his children as we remember the birth of our Lord.
The first blessing of Christmas is THE BLESSING OF CHRIST:
According to Mathew 1:21, NKJV “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
The first blessing of Christmas is the bringing forth of Jesus Christ whose purpose is the salvation of mankind.
The salvation of mankind is conceived of the Holy Spirit.
This connotes that no one can save themselves or no one can come to God unless they are drawn by the Holy Spirit. In our celebration of Christmas, let us remember Christ.
He is the reason for the season. Let the celebrations draw us closer to him and let us use this season to evaluate our lives and align to the ordinances of true Christianity. My prayer for all is that Christ will be born again in our hearts.
The second blessing is THE BLESSING OF FAMILY:
According to Luke 2: 4, NKJV “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn”. The second blessing is the blessing of families coming together.
The birth of Christ was preceded by the decree which required everyone to go home to their families. Family reunion is very common in this season. God was using the birth of his son to emphasise the importance of family unity. It will be awesome for us to make time to be with our loved ones and gather for merriment and thanksgiving. Using the opportunity to catch up and ensure the welfare of our loved ones.
Christmas provides the time to go and visit our parents and grandparents and spend time with them. Visit siblings or with siblings and let them know how much they mean to you. Forgive one another of their offences and reconcile your differences. In so doing, we bring joy to the heart of Christ.
The third blessing of Christmas is THE BLESSING OF JOY:
“According to Luke 2:10, NKJV, “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord”.
The birth of Jesus Christ ushered in a season of joy to the world. Another word for joy is bliss. Bliss connotes reaching a state of perfect happiness, oblivious of everything else.
Christmas season is a season to rejoice, delight and be happy. It is a time to forget the sorrow and the pains of the past months and focus on the fact that irrespective of all we might have been through, we lived to see the end of another year with the favour to step into a new year.
Things might not have worked out as we expected but we are still standing here only because God made a way. You might not be where you want to be but remember that you are not where you used to be. Rejoice and be glad for unto us Christ is born.
The fourth blessing is THE BLESSING GIFTS:
According to Mathew 2:1, NKJV “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh”.
Christmas is a season of gifts and giving. This season is created for us to share the love of God through generosity. Giving is for the wise. Many people withhold and end up in poverty, but the generous soul shall be prosperous.
Open your hands to the poor this Christmas.
Buy gifts for the members of your family and for people around you who might be less privileged.
Give to your parents, give to your siblings and don’t forget to bless your pastors as well.
It took the wise men approximately two years of travel to find Jesus.
They never gave up nor went back until they arrived and worshipped him.
Therefore, prepare for your Christmas celebrations with Christ in mind. Let us not forget to go to church and give gifts of worship and our substance to the saviour of the world. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
DR Nick Ohizu is The Senior Pastor of The Empowerment Ministries and The President of the Empowerment School of Wealth both located in Graniteside Harare. He is a successful Entrepreneur with vast experience in Leadership, Mentorship, Business and Marriage consultancy with a mandate from God to change lives and bless people. To contact Dr Nick for any of his Services, please call 0772304917.
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