My early year memory of Christmas is that of fun and merriment.
Prior to Christmas, myDad would have given my Mom some money to get Christmas attires forus; my Mom would have taken us out to Dugbe market and looked for what our money could buy.
I can still remember vividly how we would go to the poultry farm near us to buy live chicken on Christmas Eve; how that would be prepared by my Mom into a tantalising chicken stew. How she would make jollof-rice on Christmas morning with blue band butter and
My Dad would have bought crates of Coca-Cola and Fanta and we would have put some inthe fridge to get chilled.
The church service I believe would have been fine, but my mind was always at home; how I would do justice to the rice; the chicken and a bottle of coke to myself alone.
As I grew older I got to know that Christmas is not only about clothes; rice; chicken and drinks; but that God sent His Son Jesus to this world to die for our sins. I later knew that I had to ask this Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour.
As I grew even older, I knew I had to tell others about the love of Jesus and invite others to follow us to church. I also matured to know that I have to use everything that I have to honour and to serve God.
In our world today, Christmas to most people: both old and young is only for fun and merriment. For governments and businesses; it is just a commercial venture. The spiritual significance has been eroded. There is even public opinion that does not want us to say “Merry Christmas” anymore; but “Happy Holiday”.
We have chosen today service therefore to commemorate the day Jesus was born and to ascribe all glory and honour to Him who came to die and rose again in order to save us from death.
What is the notion and significance of Christmas to you? Is it only about fun and merriment?
Have you progressed to know that Jesus came to die for you?
Have you asked Him to be your Lord and Saviour?
Are you obeying His word?
What are you giving in exchange for what He has done for you?
Are you telling others about Him?
Are you using all you have to honour and serve Him?
These are what Christmas should mean to everyone.
If you know in your heart that you are not doing enough to reciprocate the love of Christ to you and you want to make a pledge to try and do more from now; I will like to pray with you now.
The sermon was delivered at the 2018 Carol on December 9, 2018.