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NEWSLETTERS
Jesus is the Reason for Christmas
GWEA Monthly Message - December 2021
REVEREND GORDON WILLIAMS

Christmas is coming again! It is a continuous reminder of the fact that God took on the form of a man in flesh and blood to rescue and save His people from their sin. God told Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). That is the reason why He is also called “Emmanuel” (Matt. 1:23; Is. 8:14) which means “God with us”. 

Throughout the Old Testament, we can see how God, whose personal name is “Yahweh”, struggled with the sin of His people. The solution is seen clearly when “the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us, full of truth and grace” (Jn. 1:14). Old Testament scripture that makes reference to Jesus says, “And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of ‘Yahweh’ shall be saved” (Joel 2:28). In the New Testament, Acts 2:21 says, “And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the ‘Lord’ shall be saved.”

Jesus’ name means “Yahweh is Salvation” and His Hebrew name is Yahweh. This means that God, Himself had to come to this earth to provide a suitable sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary to pay for our sin. And surprisingly, He entered history (just as we all do) as a baby; and as He grew, He was “in every respect … tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).

He tested the New Life empowered by the Holy Spirit to let us know that we too can receive Salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:11; Acts 2:4) with the “signs following” (Mk. 16:17-18). It means that when we are empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit, we can handle every temptation from the devil (Matt. 4:1-11; Jas. 4:7), and from demons (Mk. 16:17); from ourselves, and from other people (Jas. 1:14; Gal. 5:18-21). These are the real reasons why we should celebrate Christmas each year.   

I am frequently asked, “Is the date set for Christmas actually the real date when Jesus was born?” The answer is, “No! Nobody knows the actual date.” December 25th was chosen because the early Church leadership believed that it was important to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus ever year. It is a day set aside to thank God for loving us so much that “He gave His only Son that we can have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). He put in place a means so that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord can be saved.” 

The early church replaced the so-called holy days of every religion in every country when Christians became the majority. Christmas replaced several Roman religious festivals to let the world know that there is only One God, Yahweh, who entered history at the perfect time (Gal. 4:4-7).

The whole marking of historical time is centered around the birth of Jesus as “Before Christ (B.C.)” and the “Year of the Lord” (A.D.). Christmas focuses the whole world’s attention on Jesus Christ: He is the “only way” to Salvation (Jn. 14:6) and to receive eternal life. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).        

This year when shopping, the most important Christmas Gifts to put on your list are these: Salvation (Jn. 3:3, 5, 7), the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8;2:4), the introductory ministry package (Mk. 16:17-18), the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:8-10), the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), healing (1 Pet. 2:24), deliverance (Mk. 16:17), heaven (Rev. 21:1-5), and all your needs (Philip. 4:19). 


These Christmas Gifts are invaluable and are available all year around! To receive them, just call on Jesus and we invite you to come join us on our weekly "Holy Spirit" Meetings to receive like the first disciples did on the Day of Pentecost! 

Merry Christmas!

 

Copyright © 2021. The Gordon Williams Evangelistic Association. All rights reserved.

 
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