THE BIGGEST NEWS OF CHRISTMAS

Dearly Beloved, THE BIGGEST NEWS OF CHRISTMAS "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NIV). As usual, the Christmas celebration for this year has started with many fanfares and will end on December 25 in grand services in most of our churches. However, many people have lost or forgotten the biggest news of Christmas. This news is summed up in the most popular Bible verse: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV). The news started with God, the Creator of the universe. The Holy Bible does not try to prove the existence God. It just started by saying, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1 NIV). It is interesting to see some people today claiming that there is no God. The Christmas news cannot be appreciated without acknowledging the existence of God that initiated the basis of Christmas. This God is the God of love that so loved the people of the world in spite of their unworthiness. He demonstrated His unconditional love to mankind and did what an ordinary man would find difficult to do - giving the most precious thing to an undeserving person. This act of giving should be paramount in us as we celebrate Christmas. This is not a kind of giving where you will be expecting the recipient to give you something else back in reciprocal. It is not the kind of giving associated with Father Christmas where you have to pay some amount of money before receiving the gift. It is a sacrificial giving. The object of this giving is the most precious Gift of all time - Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God! Many people find it difficult to believe that the Creator of the universe could have a Son. To them, it belittles Him of His majesty. However, that is part of the reasons Paul exclaimed, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! `Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?' `Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen" (Romans 11:33-36 NIV). What God requires from us for His giving is faith in Jesus Christ so that we will not perish (having eternal separation from Him), but have eternal life - an infinitely high quality of life in living fellowship with God, both now and forever given graciously by Jesus Christ to everyone who believes in Him (see John 1:4; 10:10, 28). Do you have this life? This is the biggest news! No matter how you celebrate the Christmas or if you are indifferent to it, let the news has positive impact in your life. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that nothing will hinder you from accepting the eternal life through the giving of Jesus Christ to the world.