The Advent and Christmas Season

The Story of Christmas

By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel James

The Advent and Christmas Season

Christmas is one of the important festivals celebrated by Christians. The other two important festivals of importance are, Good Friday and Easter. Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus each year on 25th December every year. This season is called Advent because it marks the arrival and the time of preparation for Christmas. Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, anticipation, and preparation. There is a yearning in the hearts and minds of the people for deliverance from the evils of the word. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, oppression and injustice and yet who have hope of deliverance from a God who has heard the cries of oppressed and brought deliverance!  It is that hope which brings to the world the anticipation of Lord God who will rule with truth and justice and righteousness over His people and in His creation. It is that hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world. This season of expectation also anticipates a judgment on sin and a calling of the world to accountability before God. We long for God to come and set the world right!  Because of this important truth, in some Churches the Season of Advent has been a time of fasting and penitence for sins. The climax of this Advent Season is the birth of Jesus Christ which makes all of us very happy as we celebrate Christmas.

During this time lots of exciting and interesting programmes will be organized. There will be Christmas plays, skits, music and singing. Christmas Greeting cards are sent and received. Homes, shops, malls, market places and various buildings will be tastefully decorated. There will be stars and coloured lights lit at night time. People indulge in plenty of shopping to purchase gifts for family members, friends and relatives, especially for children. Mothers prepare lots of eatables, savouries and also prepare special meals.  Christmas cake is the favorite item at Christmas time.  Groups of young people and church members go around carol singing bringing the message of Christmas. This has made Christmas very appealing to people of all communities. Apart from these celebrations, there is a lot about Christmas that many people do not know.