Dear Brethren and Friends,
The remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ is the sole reason for Christians to observe Christmas. The world has its own definition of Christmas and you know they have got it wrong by replacing “Christ” with “X” in Christmas. Just because the world has got it wrong does not mean that Christians cannot remember it in a right manner pleasing to God. The Christian understanding of the true meaning of Christmas is directly opposed to a worldly celebration of food and fun, Santa Claus, godless revelry and parties.
The Gospel writers gave us an infallible account of the first advent of Christ. The first coming of Christ was a divine announcement from heaven by the angels. The Saviour had arrived in the city of David. He is Immanuel, God dwelling among man on earth, born of a virgin Mary. He is the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father that was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet in Isaiah 7:14; 9:6.
To the humble shepherds watching their flock by night in ancient Palestine, a joyous and significant announcement was made to them and then to all mankind.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14
The announcement by the angels of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ has 3 impacts to the shepherd and us. First it is: Fear Not (Luke 2:10).
In verse 9, there was the emotion of fear when the angels came to the shepherds. This is a natural emotion of fallen man, what Adam and Eve felt when they sinned. The angels said “Fear not” (v 10) because Christ the Saviour was born. There is victory over fear of death and bondage of sin that has plagued sinful and depraved man. Fear is a terror to many especially the fear of death. Our Lord Jesus Christ has come to conquer this dreadful enemy.
The second impact is: Great Joy (Luke 2:10).
The true blessing to mankind is the promise of everlasting joy. This is not empty and superficial laughter but a profound and permanent deep-seated joy from within our hearts because of what Christ has done for us at Calvary’s cross. This is priceless and cannot be traded by any money and possessions. The shepherds rejoiced and went to tell others. They had a strong reason to respond that way. The joy of the Lord was in their hearts.
The third impact is: Peace (Luke 2:14).
We live in a world that is plagued by wars and unrest. Only the Prince of Peace can bring real and lasting peace when He comes again the second time. There is no peace with all of man’s best efforts. Jesus Christ, our Prince of Peace, came to redeem and reconcile us back to God, to once again experience the peace of God and the peace with God (Rom 5:1,8). Christ is our only Hope. He is our Saviour and Deliverer from all our woes and sorrows.
The shepherds proclaimed this good news to every one they could find. So, let us do the same today. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). There is no other way. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, repent of your sins and be saved. Our good works and morality can never save us. The shepherds believed and they were praising and glorifying God and proclaiming the good news of salvation. It is our privilege and joy as we go forth in carolling and sharing the Gospel message this Christmas season. Do not forget to bring an unbelieving friend to the Gospel Worship next Sunday 29 Dec. May you have the true Christmas joy and peace in your heart through the Lord Jesus Christ!
Elder John Leong
亲爱的弟兄姐妹和朋友，
纪念耶稣基督的诞生是基督徒纪念圣诞的唯一理由。这世界有它对圣诞的定义，而你知道他们错了因为他们在英文字的圣诞里用“X”来取代基督（Christmas 变成 Xmas）。世界错了不代表基督徒不可以用正确，讨神喜悦的方式来纪念圣诞。基督徒理解圣诞的真正意义是和这世界的庆祝方式（圣诞老人、饮酒作乐、狂欢等）完全相反的。
福音书的作者在关于基督第一次降临给了我们个绝对可靠的记载。基督的第一次降临是通过天使从天上来的一个神圣的公告。救主来到了大卫的城。祂是以马内利，神在世上与人同在，是童女马利亚所生。祂是那以赛亚先知在以赛亚书 7：14 和 9：6 里提到的和平的君、奇妙策士、全能的神、永在的父。
在古老的巴勒斯坦，谦卑的牧羊人在夜间看守羊群，有一欢乐和重要的消息公告给了他们，然后也公告给了全人类。
“那天使对他们说：「不要惧怕！我报给你们大喜的信息，是关乎万民的；”路加福音2章10节
“在至高之处荣耀归与神！在地上平安归与他所喜悦的人。”路加福音2章14节
天使的公布关于主耶稣基督的消息对牧羊人和我们有三个影响。第一是 ：不要惧怕（路加福音2章10节）。
在第九节，当天使来到牧羊人的时候，他们非常惧怕。这是败坏的人的自然反应。当亚当和夏娃犯罪的时候也有这种感受。天使说“不要惧怕”（第十节）因为基督救主诞生。通过耶稣基督堕落的罪人能够战胜死亡的恐惧和罪的捆绑。恐惧，尤其是死亡的恐惧是许多人害怕的。我们的主耶稣基督已降临来战胜这可怕的敌人了。
第二个影响是：大喜（路加福音2章10节）。
对于人类真正的祝福是永恒的喜乐的应许。这喜乐不是一个空虚和肤浅的笑声，而是一个发自内心，因为基督在十字架上为我们所成就的，一个深切和永久的喜乐。这是无价的，是金钱和财产不能换来的。牧羊人欢欣鼓舞，去告诉别人。他们有一个强而有力的理由来这样做。主的喜乐在他们的心中。
第三个影响是：平安（路加福音2章14节）。
我们活在一个充满战争和动荡不安的世界。只有和平的君在祂第二次降临时能够带来真正永久的和平。人如何努力都不会有和平。耶稣基督，我们和平的君来是要赎回我们，让我们与神和好。这样我们才可以感受到神的平安，体会到与神相和（罗马书5：1，8）。基督是我们唯一的希望。祂是拯救我们脱离所有灾难和悲伤的救主。
牧羊人把这好消息告诉所有他们遇见的人。我们今天也要这样做。耶稣是道路、真理和生命（约翰福音14章6节）。
没有其他的方法。相信主耶稣基督，认罪悔改，来得救。我们的善行和道德是不能拯救我们的。牧羊人相信，而且他们赞美和荣耀神，宣扬救恩的好消息。报佳音和传福音是我们的特权和喜乐。要记得带还没信主的朋友来下个主日，12月29日的福音崇拜。愿你通过主耶稣基督会有真正的圣诞的喜乐和平安在你心中！
梁杰雄长老