JRM Sison Chapter - December 13, 2009 - The Reason for Christmas

Just a few more days before Christmas and it feels just like any other day. To adults, Christmas begins to be a routine. Unlike before, people try to look their best. They do whatever they can to let everyone know that Christmas is in their homes. Christmas lights are placed in the right location. Christmas trees are decorated with the proper decorations. ‘Family-Christmas lists’ are already tucked in place, ready to be bought before Christmas Eve.

But as time goes by, people become bored. To them, Christmas became a programmatic holiday that is tiring and expensive. Before, they can sacrifice a little amount for Christmas Eve; now, they can sacrifice Christmas Eve for a little amount that they can gather. Before, Christmas is about giving; today, Christmas is almost about nothing.

What happened? Why did the spirit of the Yuletide season slowly died down?

The Prophecy

Isaiah 9:6 prophesied the coming of Jesus Christ. It was a literal prophecy. It came to pass in the life of God’s begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Let us study this particular verse and compare it with our situation:

     a.     For unto us a child is born - This particle phrase is worth studying, word for word. ‘For unto us’ can be arranged like this ‘BECAUSE OF US’. The word ‘for’ means ‘because’. Therefore, the first phrase described the reason why a child is born. It was because of you and me that the Child was born.

     b.     Unto us a son is given - This phrase clearly denotes the position of the child; he is a son. The Father has given His Son UNTO US. The phrase said ‘given’ not ‘offered’; it was a 100% decision on God’s part and it can never be compromised.

     c.     The government will be upon his shoulder - The authority of the child is clearly described by this phrase. The child will have the responsibility of the government. Literal interpretation of this verse will describe that the Child, the begotten Son of the Father will have control over all types of government. Thus, literal interpreters will say that this phrase indicates the second coming of the Son, Jesus Christ; because our present government is not yet subjected in Christ Jesus. Some countries have immoral governance; some have corrupt governance; etc. The governments of the countries are not YET subject to the Child.

     d.     His name shall be called
          ·     Wonderful - because His goodness is wonderful. Thus, anything described as wonderful must ALWAYS bring glory to God! To mention it otherwise will be a mistake. So, it is wrong to say, “That’s a wonderful plan” when the plan is about the killing in Maguindanao.
          ·     Counsellor - because He always give good counseling. He is the one that answers us; comforts us in times of pain and distress. He is our Counsellor and through His guidance no problems will be too hard, no solution will be too difficult. Through His counseling our minds, body, soul and spirit will be refreshed.
          ·     The mighty God - because all praise and worship belong to Him. He will be our Deliverer, Redeemer, Comforter, Healer, Provider; and nobody can do that unless He is The mighty God.
          ·     The everlasting Father - because He is our eternal LEADER. The word ‘Father’ doesn’t denote about fatherhood but about leadership. Like David who had been the father of Israel during the time of his reign, so is Jesus Christ who will father us during the time of His reign in our lives.
          ·     The Prince of Peace - because He gives peace to everyone who accepts Him. Peace not in the matter of war but on the matter of mind (peace of mind) and heart (peaceful heart).

The Child and the Son

But there is another interpretation for this particular verse. It is clear to us that the child and son being described is Jesus Christ.

     a.     For unto us a child is born - John 3:3 states that we must be born again to see the kingdom of God. Verse 4 states that unless a man be born of water and of the spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God. ‘Born of water’ is about obedience. ‘Born of the spirit’ is about way of life. Therefore, Jesus further elaborated in verse 7 that all of us MUST be born again. But what thus ‘born-again’ truly mean? If we try to study the Bible closely, we can see that it is only through accepting Jesus as God and Savior, believing on Him, and being converted for Him will we have eternal life (entering the kingdom of God). Thus, if Jesus is the key unto salvation, then Jesus must be ‘born’ in our hearts. Truly that because of us, Jesus is born in us.

     b.     Unto us a son is given - When Jesus will have an abode in our hearts, as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12). Now, we have the mind of Christ (2 Cor. 2:16)

     c.     The government shall be upon his shoulder - Matthew 28:18 states that all power is given unto Jesus in heaven and in earth. This means that whoever received Christ Jesus will also have the power in heaven and in earth. The government that Isaiah 9:6 is talking about is the government of the world (sinful world) and of the air (Satan and his minions). The power over these governments had been given to Jesus Christ.

The Reason for Christmas

There is a reason why Christmas is always celebrated on an annual basis. We celebrate not because of the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ but on the reason why. He died for you and me; He sacrificed His position for our sakes. He sacrificed His comfortable life for us. It is a time to celebrate because through what Jesus had done on the cross of Calvary, we have been given a chance to receive Him. As we receive Him, He and the Father which is in heaven will find an abode in us (John 14:23). And through abiding in Jesus Christ we are given:
     ·     Wonderful blessings in life
     ·     Counseling without objection nor rejection
     ·     The mighty God that provides, heals and saves
     ·     The Everlasting Father that leads wherever we go.
     ·     The Prince of Peace in all aspects of our lives

Brethren, this Christmas season, let us start a new beginning; a beginning of obedience; a beginning to have Jesus as our way of life. Remember what Jesus said in John 6:54, “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life”; to ‘eat His flesh’ means to read God’s word of Truth (obedience) and to ‘drink His blood’ means to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our everyday life (way of life).