THANKSGIVING, MARANATHA AND CHRISTMAS
(week 51/16)
OLUBI JOHNSON
Firstly, we pray that ALL our readers will have a wonderful Christmas!
In this festive season, we pray the blessings of the Kingdom of God upon you: righteousness, peace and joy by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Christmas is a season of thanksgiving to God for sending His Son: the Lord Jesus to the earth to bring divine life and light to ALL men.
Luke 2:9-11 KJV: And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to ALL people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
John 1:1-3 KJV: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:14 KJV: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:4 KJV: In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:9 KJV: That was the true Light, which lighteth EVERY man that cometh into the world.
All men are benefiting from the life and light that Christ has brought to the world!
For instance, cars, medical science, airplanes, television, computers, air-conditioners and many such like things in our modern world have made life so much nicer for ALL MEN.
The rule of law and civilization has stopped barbaric practices like human sacrifice and many other horrible practices in many cultures and traditions.
Thanksgiving is a spiritual sacrifice during which we give back to God some of His life that He has given to us to please and refresh Him!
Hebrews 13:15 KJV: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Romans 11:36 KJV: For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Exodus 31:17 KJV: It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
When we do this, God’s presence comes down to us as an indication of His pleasure at our thanksgiving:
Psalms 22:3 KJV: But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
This coming or manifestation of His presence when we give thanks is a ‘Maranatha’
1Corinthians 16:22 AMP: If anyone does not love the Lord [does not have a friendly affection for Him and is not kindly disposed toward Him], he shall be accursed! Our Lord will come! (Maranatha!)
So, in this Christmas season, as we thank God for sending His life and light into the world through His Son, may we enjoy many ‘Maranathas’!
