ARTICLE:

KEEPING THE CHRISTMAS REASON FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

                                                                                                                  -LUKE 1:46-55

          Its a few days to the end of the year. Christmas has wound up and we have finally gotten out of  the thrill and frill of December 25. Decorations are coming down soon and will be kept for the next eleven months. Most of us experience this feel-good high that comes crashing to the ground. Some of us even get back to work and look forward to the new year holidays for another swell time. We have unconsciously attached so much happiness to those days and seasons such that when it is over, we coil back into our shell and live our old moody lives.

        Just like we know that everyday cant be Xmas, and the festive seasons won't last forever, we must not allow the states of our hearts and moods to be influenced by these events. External circumstances shouldn't determine what we feel inside. Unfortunately,it is so for our spiritual lives. We wait anxiously for the next big thing that will get us on the high and make us feel great. A friend once said that ''noone is in charge of your happiness but yourself''. If that's the case,why then do we lock our inner joys within and wade through life with that look of helplessness and hopelessness?

      Mary sang and praised God for the same reason we ought to be singing every day of the year. She sang because of her salvation. Mary knew the challenges that were on the horizon and was getting ready to face some severe scrutiny for turning up pregnant and unwed. She never minded the anguish she was going to cause her family who was going to either disown her or face the same rejection.

        A genuine attitude of gratitude shouldn't be grounded in our circumstances. There's always a reason to get that special ''thank you'' feeling all the days of our lives. So as you unwind from Christmas, don't just settle back to business as usual or wait for the new year celebrations to feel good again. Take something special from this this season and in your life entirely. There sure would be something to always be thankful for.The reason for the season. the birth of Jesus that brought about your salvation is enough reason to be thankful. While you celebrate the birth of Christ, the life of Christ should be seen through you.

DOWNLOAD:

FUNNY CHRISTMAS CHURCH SIGNS

Here's a collection of funny christmas church signs gathered from various churches all around the world. Its an hilarious view indeed targetted at spicing up the boxing day celebrations. Enjoy......

Click HERE to watch

NEWS:

ATTACKS ON CHRISTIAN GIRLS ESCALATES IN PAKISTAN

       According to the World Evangelical Alliance, over 200 million Christians in at least 60 countries are denied fundamental human rights solely because of their faith. A group that works with persecuted Christians claims that there is a significant rise in the number of Christian girls being raped.

     International reports say that in the middle of last month, two girls were raped as they attempted to use the latrine. The girls' family alleged that three males repeatedly assaulted them overnight. Sardaq Mushtaq Gill, the family's attorney, told the press that in Pakistan, rape is used as an instrument of arbitrary power over christian girls, who come from poor and marginalized families. Its is a form of violence that wants to reiterate the submission to Muslims.

     In another region in the area, a similar report was given of a 14-year old girl that was abducted and forcibly converted to Islam. The girl was later married to her captor. Local Christians and Muslims in the Thatha Gondai area have been involved in negotiations to return the girl to her family.

      Gill said that the rest of the society is not outraged because the victims mostly belong to religious minorities, who are the most vulnerable in the area.

ARTICLE:

CHRISTMAS AND YOU

        The date chosen for the celebration of the birth of Jesus isn't a product of guesswork as there wasn't a better explanation. Thousands of years ago, before Christmas meant what it means today, there was a bright special star that lit the dark sky. Usually, we don't celebrate historical figures as children but Christs' was an exception as it seems appropriate. In A.D 353 Pope Julius 1 declared that December 25 would be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus. Later in the year 1832, Professor Charles Follen lit the first Christmas in the United State of America. Hundreds of years ago when this acts were carried out, no one ever imagined Christmas would be what it is today or the decorations as glamorous as it is today.

         When Christ was born, shepherds came to honour Him,wise men came from the east brought Him gifts. The whole earth rejoiced at His birth.Ironically, most of these people who came to worship Him had no idea what He would accomplish as an adult. Within a space of thirty-three years, He lived a great life of exemplary leadership with humility at its core. No wonder, His name remains above every other name that exists, as He presently sits on the right hand of the father. But of course, the worshipers were right to have come because the birth of Christ remains the most remarkable event in human history. Wise men and women of today not only worship the baby of Bethlehem, but the Christ of Calvary.

      This brings to us another opportunity to sit back and reminisce on Jesus, the reason for the season. What difference has His birth, life and death made in your life? Amidst all the celebration, merryments and commercializations, we should reflect the true meaning of Christmas. Does Jesus even have a personal relationship with you? Does He recognize you as a son or daughter? He stands at the door of your heart and knocks, for you to open to Him.

I wish you all my readers a joyous Christmas celebration and a prosperous new year in advance.

       Christmas isn't worth celebrating for you if Jesus isn't your Lord and personal saviour.

Click HERE to accept Him today.

ARTICLE:

ESSENCE OF CHRISTMAS

''For there is born to you this day in the city of David a saviour, who is Christ the Lord''.

                                                                                                                    -Luke 2:11

       Unlike every other holidays, the Christmas season comes with a different sensation. The weather condition in various parts of the world sometimes add to thrills and frills. Here in this part of the world, there is a characteristic Harmattan wind that gives even a day old baby, the tingling mood of Christmas. There is a display of the red, green and golden colors on billboards, dresses and signages. With all that in view, you wont need a prophet to tell you that its Christmas. But beyond all  these, there exist a deeper and much more appreciated characteristic of Christmas - ''the attitude of giving and sharing''. Sometimes we have to set our desires in the right direction. Give our love to the unloved ones. Those who can never pay back our act of generosity.
 
      Firstly, we must understand that Christmas is not about traditions and doings. While as a culture we have convinced ourselves that in order for Christmas to be Christmas, we have to do certain things. But considering the birth of Jesus in its real sense, there was nothing traditional about it- It was a miracle!. One of the greatest things we can do for others is pointing out to them the various ways the birth of Jesus has benefitted them. The best time of Christmas is when we choose to stop all the busyness and routine duties of our daily life and focus on being grateful. Gratitude is one of the few ways we can take our eyes off ourselves and focus on Jesus, gibing the credit back to Him. When gratefulness flows through the heart, it is almost impossible for the seasonal stressors to compete with it.

     Most of us have thrived on various lies of what it means to celebrate christmas over the years. We have majored on the minor things and minored on the major things. With this determinatin in mind, this christmas will be so much than exhaustion, mediocrity and empty promises from T.V commercials. We should check the idols that rival the place of God in our hearts this sacred period. The manufactured idea of Christmas may tempt us to want many things, but Jesus rightly taking His place in our hearts will help keep Christmas in its rightful place.

MUSIC DOWNLOAD:

SOSO GI -CHIMA OBI FT BLAISE AND SOKLEVA (ROOFTOP MCs)

Here's another sensational music from award winning gospel artist, Chima Obi. He calls this one ''Soso gi''.

Download HERE.