Warmest Christmas greetings and heartfelt wishes to you all on this holy eve. Today marks a Thursday steeped in reflections from years of pastoral experience and social service, but as we stand on the threshold of Christmas, let's pivot to the timeless joy of this season. Everyone knows Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet views differ on why He came to earth. Some say God's Son descended from heaven solely to free humanity from sin, ensuring our ticket to paradise. That's not wrong, but it often stops there—self focused salvation, with little thought for others. On the flip side, many cite Jesus' command: "Love one another." They love, yes, but confine it to their own kind. Did Jesus preach such bounded love? Absolutely not. He challenged the status quo: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Mt 5:43-44). Every faith echoes calls to destroy the wicked and protect the righteous. Jesus, however, left a message of forgiveness. He urged transforming evil through love and mercy—not vengeance. He didn't just speak it; He lived it. Nailed to the cross by His tormentors, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). Thus, Jesus loves not only believers but non-believers and even enemies. He calls us to mirror that boundless love. This is religion's true essence: not a weapon of division, but a bridge to unity. Whatever faith we follow, let's transcend its boundaries, loving all and fostering peace, love, and harmony in society. In our divided nation today, this unity is our greatest need. I trust you'll agree. Once more: Merry Christmas filled with love and joy, plus warm New Year wishes ahead. Now, let's delve into Christmas' eternal message.
The Prophetic Light in a Chaotic World
Our world teeters in unrest—violence, hatred, and
self-righteous clashes everywhere. People spill blood to prove whose faith or
ideology reigns supreme. In this spiritual decay and moral darkness, we turn to
Isaiah's prophecy from 2,700 years ago: "For to us a child is born, to us
a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be
called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). "Everlasting God" (Sanatan Creator),
according to Pastor Emmanuel Singh, isn't mere title—it's God's core identity,
transcending time. We often limit "Sanatan" to cultures or rituals,
but it means eternal, without beginning or end. The Bible attributes this
solely to God: - Psalm 90:2: "Before the mountains were born or you
brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are
God." - Revelation 1:8: "I am the Alpha and the Omega... who is, and
who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." - Revelation 22:13: "I am
the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Sanatan isn't a human invention with a founding date—it's God Himself, the
"Great I AM" above past, present, and future. On Christmas, we
worship this Eternal God Almighty. And Micah 5:2 foretold: "But you,
Bethlehem... out of you will come... one who will be ruler over Israel, whose
origins are from of old, from ancient times" (echoing John 1:1, Ephesians
1:4).
The Infinite Becomes Finite: Incarnation's Marvel Christmas'
greatest wonder?
The Mighty God, Everlasting Father, became a vulnerable Son.
Imagine: the Creator of stars humbles Himself into a virgin's womb, cradled in
Bethlehem's manger amid animals. This isn't ordinary—it's the eternal Word made
flesh. John 1:1,14 captures it: "In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his
dwelling among us." Why did the Infinite enter time's limits? Why did the
Creator take created form? One word: *love*. God didn't dispatch rules from
afar. He descended to rescue sin-stained humanity personally.
Bridging the Divide Through Presence
Love demands closeness, not distant commands. Laws might
enforce obedience through fear, but only presence melts hardened hearts. Sin
built an impassable gulf between God and us—no book or decree could span it. So
God became the bridge: Immanuel, "God with us." He didn't rule from a
throne; He served in our dust.
The Immortal Tastes Death
God is spirit, immortal, without blood. Yet Scripture
demands blood for sin's atonement. No human could pay humanity's debt; no pure
spirit could die. Solution? The Eternal took flesh—to die in our place.
Bethlehem's manger led to Calvary's cross, where His blood f lowed for us.
Immortal became mortal, paving our path to eternity.
A Sympathetic Sanatan Saviour
Distant gods hear cries as reports; this God shares our
pain. He hungered, thirsted, wept, endured rejection. When you suffer loss or
injustice, know your God isn't a cold judge— He's a compassionate friend who
walked weakness to victory (Hebrews 4:15).
Visible Revelation of
the Invisible
We crave tangible refuge from abstract voids. The unseen God
became visible in Jesus: "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only
Son... has made him known" (John 1:18). Jesus embracing sinners shows
God's mercy; touching lepers reveals His touchable holiness.
Humility's Revolution: From Manger to Service
In our power-hungry world of religious one-upmanship,
Bethlehem flips the script. The "King of kings" (Revelation 19:16)
claimed no palace. He came to serve, not be served: "The Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many" (Matthew 20:28). At the Last Supper, God incarnate wrapped a towel
around His waist and washed feet: "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet" (John 13:14).
True eternity teaches no hatred, only humble service. If God stooped so low,
why do we strut in pride?
Our Eternal Identity: Chosen Before Creation
Christians aren't a 2,000-year startup. Our roots predate
time in God's plan: Ephesians 1:4-5: "For he chose us in him before the
creation of the world... In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship
through Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 1:9: "[He] saved us... not because
of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace
was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time." We're no
accident—part of the Eternal Father's timeless design. Our identity transcends
race, nation, or creed; it's rooted in Christ's everlasting love.
Surrender at the Eternal Father's Feet
Christmas isn't just lights and cake—it's homecoming to the
Sanatan God the Creator. The Wonderful Counselor untangles life's knots; the
Prince of Peace calms our chaos. Gaze at that manger child. Forget pride and divisions.
Dedicate your life anew to the God who was, is, and is to come—our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Prayer: Eternal Father, You are the Beginning and the End.
You took human form to banish our sin's darkness. Fill our hearts with Your
humility this Christmas. Empower us to carry Your timeless love into this
violent world. Amen.
What does Christmas' call to universal love mean for you
this year? Share in the comments—let's build unity together.
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