Classes on Christmas - Dr. Ezekiah Francis
I bring greetings to you in this special Christmas season. May your hearts and homes be filled with abundant joy. There is no news which is good news for everyone. Christmas alone is the good news for all mankind. The greatest good news is the great and awesome God came in human form to unite Himself with mankind. Why was the glorious God, who walked in the golden streets of heaven, born in a poor manger? Is it to make you sad? Is it to let you live in series of struggles? Is it to make you confused with baffling questions and repeated failures? Is it to bear all the arrows of the enemy? No! Not at all.
The Lord of Lords came to this world so that you may inherit all the heavenly blessings. He came to multiply your blessings, not to machinate them. The foolish Herod trembled without realizing this fact. He imagined the king of Jews was born to capture his throne. But the amazing truth is Jesus was born to make you His very throne.
Jesus Himself became your Christmas gift. New clothes, delicious food, mouth watering Christmas cake are not your real gifts. Right from Genesis to Malachi, the blessings of God came as different gift packages. In Christ, all the heavenly blessings reached us as a single, magnificent and marvelous gift parcel. This is why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus, in you, is an embodiment of all the gifts of God.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for is all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things (Rom. 8:32)?
Christmas life is an abundant life, lacking nothing. It’s a life where your depression disappears and your chaos changes.
Good news for one need not be good news for another. This is the good news for all. It’s good news for the old couple Zechariah and Elizabeth and also for the young girl, Mary. It’s good news for Saint Simon and also for the simple Shepherds. It’s good news for the wise men and also for the 84 year old Anna.
The Christmas news: 1. News about heaven kissing the earth. 2. Closed doors and windows of heaven are wide open and a new relationship is born.
When war is declared between two nations, all the means of transportation will be closed. Once the war ceases, the closed doors will be opened again. Many doors between heaven and earth were closed as a result of Adam’s fall. At times, they were slightly opened. But only on Christmas day, the doors were swung open. This is why the saints exclaimed “Oh! Is it heaven or earth? Awesome God became ordinary man”!
The heavenly hosts are descending in large numbers. Transportation between heaven and earth has begun. Heavenly goods are being exported to the earth, and the earthly goods are in turn exported to heaven. There is no wall of separation any more. The border is no longer a barrier. His abundance of blessings, authority to rule, anointing, recognition, everything has become yours now.
Now, it is up to you to receive these Christmas blessings. Let us delve on five most important Christmas lessons today.
1. Obeying
2.Seeking
3. Giving
4. Praising
5. Greeting
1. Obeying
Just imagine how Virgin Mary would have felt when she heard that she was going to be pregnant. She had no previous track record of such incident in the Bible. She has heard how God miraculously opened the barren wombs of Sarah and Elizabeth. Never in human history has a virgin ever conceived. She very well knew the shame and reproach she had to bear in order to obey God’s command. She also knew that she would be stoned to death, or killed according to the Bible law. But she risked her life to obey God. She dared to die for the Savior’s birth. She decided to obey the Lord even if she was stoned to death. She understood obeying God was the way for her exaltation. This is not an ordinary but supernatural obedience!
Just think! Many hesitate to obey God due to fear of men. Many set aside God’s word for their own reputation and honor. Because of this, they forego a lot of blessings. In this Christmas season, God beckons you for a blessed life. Determine and dare to die in order to obey God.
My friends and relatives made fun of me thinking I was crazy, I was good for nothing. How pathetic would be my state today, if I had obliged to them! How many would have lost their blessings! I stood firm in my faith that Christ in me is greater than my parents, friends and
relatives. The greatest one who is in me, made me great too. The Most High God has called me for the most high work. Heaven observed my audacity of as I dared to live and die for Jesus’ sake. That is why His blessings are flowing in and through me
What happened to Mary who boldly stood for Christ? Her name and fame was not spoiled. Famous men came in search of her and greeted her. They offered gold, myrrh and frankincense. Not only Mary, Joseph also dared to make a big sacrifice
Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes. How bad he would have felt, when he knew that Mary, who was engaged to him, was pregnant. His parents and friends would have been shocked and agitated. Many would have sympathized with him, saying, “You are a righteous man, why should you face such a reproach? The girl has lost her virginity” and so on.
Righteous Joseph had to choose between two options only. One is to publicly expose her sin and have her stoned to death. The other is to divorce her quietly, without public disgrace. Yes! The ways of man are limited. But God knows millions of options. Dearly beloved, when God expects something from you, do not lean on your natural understanding. Do not trust the choices that you know. If you know 2 options, he knows 2000 options. An angel of God appeared in his dream. He revealed the heavenly plan to Joseph, which was entirely different from the 2 options he had in mind.
Joseph immediately took Mary as his wife. He decided to obey the wonder working God even if the whole world accuses him. Had Joseph merely paid heed to his Bible knowledge and his own thoughts, he would have lost the privilege of being the supposed father of the world’s Savior.
Dearly beloved, God will restore a million fold all that you have lost, just for obeying Christ. If you were despised for His sake, He will exalt you before everyone. If you accept anyone in obedience to God, they will be a blessing to you. Do not look at your problems and circumstances with natural eyes. Do not decide anything based on your intelligence. The Word of God alone is the truth. Obey His Word alone
Christmas life is a life totally dedicated for the Word of God. Kick aside all your traditions and stand boldly for Christ. Decide to follow him alone. This obedience will change every single day of your life as days of Christmas celebration.
2.Seeking
Another important lesson Christmas teaches us is to seek Him. Once they heard about his birth, many came in search of the baby Jesus. Shepherds sought him. Simeon longed to see him. The Wise men journeyed from the east, but the religious leaders did not seek him. They lost the unique and incomparable blessings of Christmas. Jerusalem was 5 Km away from Bethlehem. The temple was there. Priests, worship, everyday sacrifice still existed. But they neither took any effort to seek Christ, nor desired to see Him. The wise men traveled thousands of miles seeking Christ. They did not come to get something from Him. Instead they worshipped Him and offered Him the best gifts they ever had.
Christmas life is a life of seeking Christ. Those who seek Him with all their heart will see Him. Their hearts will prosper. They shall lack nothing. Make up your mind to seek Him. When you seek Him alone, all His blessings will be added unto you.
All those who are used by God today, have the habit of seeking God. It thrills me when I think of how I sought the Lord in my young days. I spent many nights on mountain tops. The very thought thrills me now. I repeatedly sang, “Lord! You are enough” with tears. I sought him and found him. That is why God enabled many to come in search of me, now.
Dearly beloved, let seeking God be the main goal of your life. Don’t forsake His wonderful blessings while searching for worldly things. Greedy people, who hunt for money, finally loose everything. Those who long for man’s love are disappointed and break down. If you seek Him, riches, wealth and honor will seek after you.
When you decide to seek Him, entire heaven will back you up. Heavenly angelic hosts will lead you to Christ just as they lead the Shepherds. The Star of wonder will lead you just as it lead the wise men. The same Holy Spirit who brought Simeon to Christ at the right time will guide you too. It is enough if you long to seek Him. When you desire to seek the Lord, the Holy Spirit, heavenly angels, nature, and your own circumstances will lead you to Him. Learn this special lesson of Christmas.
3.Giving
We saw how the wise men traveled so long only to give. Yes! Multitudes followed him after he started his miracle ministry. But they expected something else from him. They came seeking for their healing, miracles, food, blessings, fame, recognition and the like. All these things are necessary. Instead, we should come to him to give to him. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
I believe those who brought precious gifts of gold, Myrrh and Frankincense to baby Jesus, would have become very rich. When you give to God, you will lack nothing. I have experienced that the best way to receive is to give. I can boldly say that the one who gives is wise. He knows the tactics of catching a big fish by hooking a small worm. Give and you will see the reward.
If you give your tithes regularly, all your needs shall be met. You will live a satisfied life without debt. If you add your offerings to your tithe, you will witness plenty in your life. In short, tithe meets all your needs, whereas your offerings added to the tithe will make you rich. Woe unto the one who does not pay his tithe. He will continue to live in lack, though millions pray for him.
Try giving to God whatever you have. Learn to give generously to the poor. Pinch yourself and give to others. The heavenly Father will reward you in a manifold way. The joy of Christmas is attained by giving to others. Give to the poor. Give to the orphans and widows. Buy new clothes for the poor and needy. Honor the servants of God. Send gifts to each other. Christian life is a life of generous giving. What a blessed life!
4. Praising
Christmas time was filled with praise. Mary recognized the greatness of the One who was in her. That is why she sang,
“He has seen the humble state of His servant
Now all generations will call me blessed.” (Lk. 1:46)
Yes beloved, Christmas is to be mindful of the lowly. You are no longer an orphan, nor a slave. You are more blessed among all generations. Do you know how you will respond if you have this revelation? You will join Mary and sing,
“My soul glorifies the Lord,
My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior”
The Shepherds worshipped Him. Wise men worshipped Him. Simeon and Anna worshipped Him. Angels sang praises. Elizabeth and Zachariah sang praises. No one cried. They came to worship Him. In this Christmas season, let the waves of praise flow abundantly from you. Almighty God is born in me to make me a blessed one. The very knowledge that you lack nothing, will fan the flame of praise within you. You will sing on and on. If you receive the revelation of this Christmas message, many of your prayers will be turned into praises. Your worries will be changed to worship. Your complaints will become celebrations. Wiles of the enemy will be your worship points. Come on! Start praising God.
5. Greeting
One of the most important lessons that we learn from Christmas is greeting each other. The Biblical principles such as, “honor one another, regard others higher than you” were practically fulfilled on the Christmas Day. Mary obeyed God. She surrendered herself completely to God’s will. Do you what was the thought that first went across her mind? She wanted to greet Elizabeth. She hurried to greet her. Christmas teaches us to hurry to greet others. Have you seen anyone hurrying to encourage others? Mary is a good example for us.
Elizabeth whole heartedly greeted Mary who came to greet her. Send Christmas greetings to as many as possible. Greet your family. Encourage everyone enthusiastically. Bestow the blessing promises of God upon your beloved ones.
Pay attention to the order of greetings during Christmas. The angel, Gabriel greeted Mary. Mary, meditated upon this greetings and greeted Elizabeth. Elizabeth was excited on hearing Mary’s greetings and in turn greeted her. Yes! Greetings should unite the hearts like a never ending chain.
Start greeting everyone from now on. Say aloud, “Beloved, I wish that you prosper in all things just as your soul prospers.” ( III Jn 2) Tell others about the blessings of the Bible.
Now look to Jesus and say, “Lord! I lack nothing because you are in me. I will no longer be anxious about me, my family or my future. I live for others alone. I will begin to greet and bless others whole heartedly.”
I, the servant of the Most High God extend my special Christmas greetings to you. May the Lord exalt you from the lowly and humble state! May your territories be expanded! Let your life of slavery change into a reigning life. May the Lord change your captivity! May God’s glorious light shine in the dark areas of your life! May nations come to the light that is in you! May the Lord exalt your head! May the Lord exalt you and honor you more than what you think or imagine! May the Lord transform you into an obedient disciple, ardent searcher, generous giver, persistent praising man, gracious greeting man. My heartfelt Christmas and New Year wishes.