Apostle Andre Pelser, Christmas 2009

Christmas has lost its value because of commercialization: Father Christmas and his presents have taken over from the true meaning of the birth of Christ. Christmas carols have been so commercialized that they have lost their message.

To reform our concept of Christmas we should look at the birth of Christ in the lives of people: to celebrate the born again experience, in other words, Christ being formed in people’s lives, is to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas when Jesus Christ was born.

But after birth there has to be growth: Jesus did not stay away in a manger for 2000 years! The commercial world does not mind a baby Jesus. It sells! But they do not want Him to be the Son of the Living God, or the Lord of lords or King of kings.

Paul described apostolic labors when he tried to win back the allegiance of the Galatians’ believers who back slid into religious formalism of Jewish traditions soon after they experienced the joy of the liberty of the Spirit of God.

Galatians 4:8-11

⁸ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. ⁹ But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again?^b? to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? ¹⁰ Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. ¹¹ I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Galatians 4:19 – 29

¹⁹ My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, ²⁰ ?^†? I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

²¹ Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? ²² For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. ²³ But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. ²⁴ Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants?^e?; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. ²⁵ For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. ²⁶ But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. ²⁷ For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolat