Reflecting on the Christmas Nativity…
“The Promised Messiah’s Birth”
“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that
God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His
only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The
reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.”
~ Corrie Ten Boom
Luke 2:8-20 recounts the remarkable announcement of Jesus’ birth; a glorious event in which obscure shepherds were some of the first people to receive news that would forever change the course of history.
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“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!’ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (ESV). |
I wonder what it would have been like to be in the shepherds’ sandals that night. I imagine that when they set out into the fields to vigilantly keep watch over their flocks, it started as a typical evening. But then, suddenly the darkness of the night sky transformed into a glorious display of light that was filled with angelic proclamations and songs. The experience was so phenomenal, it awakened the shepherds' desire to seek out and worship the One whose birth had been divinely revealed to them. In seeking the Christ Child, they discovered that He was indeed the true “Light of the world” through whom God would dispel the darkness within it (John 1:4-5, 9; 8:12).
From the time of the shepherds who were mentioned in the Nativity story to this present day, darkness has continually sought to overshadow the redemptive message of the Gospel. The troubles and calamities that we witness on a global scale may cause us to wonder if any light can even be found in today’s world – to the point where many have fallen for the misconception that darkness is prevailing, and thus evil reigns unchecked. Yet, as Christians, we know this is not how the continuing narrative of the true story unfolds. The last sentence of 1 John 2:8 declares that “the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining” (ESV).
This Scriptural truth especially resonated with me when I heard Pastor Gideon Dawel's testimony. In 2023, between December 23rd and 30th, 238 Christians had been killed in Nigeria’s Plateau State by Islamic militants who were hostile to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. During one of these horrific attacks, Pastor Gideon lost his pregnant wife and five daughters, who all tragically died on Christmas Eve when their house was set on fire. Despite such overwhelming loss, Pastor Gideon chose to embrace a journey of forgiveness rather than succumbing to the darkness of his circumstances. As a result, he is able to look to the future with great hope and the assurance that he will be reunited with his loved ones in eternity.1
VOMC has helped Pastor Gideon by providing him resources to build a new house. While we understand that the restoration of the pastor’s home can never compensate for the tragic loss of his family, we pray that it will serve as an encouraging source of light and hope, reflecting God’s providential care as this Christian leader continues to faithfully preach the Gospel in Nigeria. For Pastor Gideon, the darkness is indeed passing away as the true light of God’s love shines for all to see.
Though still a menace to the world, especially for those belonging to the body of Christ, the defeated forces of darkness are no match for “the Light of the world” (John 8:12). May we bask in the glory of His presence as we worship Him during this Christmas season and throughout the coming new year. In doing so, let us echo the praises of the angels by singing with heartfelt joy and passion, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”
Floyd A. Brobbel
Chief Executive Officer
Voice of the Martyrs Canada Inc.
Endnote: 1 Watch Pastor Gideon’s incredible story.
