The meaning of Christmas - A Christian's view

What's the good news about Christmas?
We all have heard something about the birth of Jesus in a manger, but what does that mean to us? What are we celebrating here?

The word Christmas comes from 2 words: Christ and mas.
Mas represents a celebration or festival. Christians celebrate Christ. Catholics call Communion Mass. So we are celebrating the birth of Christ on Christmas, but what is Christ? Well, that would take too long to cover all that Christ means, but here is a brief explanation....
Christ is not Jesus' last name! Christ means anointed One and the Hebrew Messiah. To anoint someone or something is to rub an oil or ointment all over them. The Bible meaning here is Spiritual: Rubbing God all over and permeating a man with Himself.
Jesus read this scripture from the old testament: "The Spirit of God is upon Me, for He has anointed Me.. to preach the good news to the poor, He has sent Me to release the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are oppressed (downtrodden and broken). Luke 4:18 - MSG
Jesus made some bold claims here. He was saying that He was the One that the Jews prophesied about in the Old Testament, sent from God to save the people of the world, "the Christ". He brought the good news of eternal life! He healed people physically and spiritually. He helped the poor and set free those with addictions and depression - that's good news!
It says in Acts 10:38 " How God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with strength, ability and power, how He went about doing good and in particular curing all who were harassed and oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." This is what is meant by the word Immanuel often heard at Christmas - it's about God being here with us. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are not only forgiven of our sins, our relationship with God is restored! We can have His Holy Spirit living inside us! Jesus came to save us and connect us with God's family. The word Christian in the bible means "little Christs", or little anointed ones. God lives inside those who invite Him in! Celebrate...we can now have a relationship with God. He is here to save us, heal us, protect us, help us break free from addictions and have a relationship with us.

Christmas every day
On Christmas, many who don't even know Christ have experienced the goodness of this Spirit: Love, forgiveness, kindness, generosity. Why do people say "I'll let that go today, it's Christmas."? Imagine every day being like that.. people forgiving, sharing and sacrificial giving, helping children who have no toys, putting on meals for those who are in need...
For those of us on the Reach team, it's like Christmas every time we gather together. No, I'm not talking about the nice traditions we celebrate in our home like the tree or wrapping presents. I'm talking about the Spirit that brings joy, peace and generosity dwelling in us. The Spirit of Love is here, and we can yield to it. We are believers in Christ, celebrating that God is with us! Jesus said that "whenever 2 or more of you who believe are gathered together in My name, I'm there in your midst!"

You can have Christ too!
The good news is that everyone can have this relationship with God through Christ, our God-connection! You don't need to be perfect or sinless - simply choose to follow Jesus. Seek Him in His Word and get around believers who have the Spirit of Christ...and God will "rub off " on you too!

Merry Christmas!

- This message given by Neil at the Reach Van