A Truly Hopeful Christmas
Bible passage: Luke 2:8-14
“8. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. "
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ! We celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.
Merry Christmas!
Today is a joyous day as we gather for Christmas Sunday worship.
About 2,000 years ago, our Lord Jesus was born in a humble stable in Bethlehem, Judea. Although He came as the Savior to redeem all humankind and as the King of Kings, He appeared in a very humble place in the flesh. However, at that time, those who longed for the truth - the Magi from the East and the shepherds tending their flocks - recognized the birth of the Messiah through the guidance of the star and the direction of angels.
Among all humankind, they were the first to meet Jesus, offering Him precious gifts and the glory of worship. In Luke 2:34 and the following verses, we see Anna, the prophetess who spent her life praying in the temple, and Simeon, who waited for God's consolation, recognize the infant Jesus as the Savior, even though He had not yet preached or performed miracles.
Krismasi Yenye Tumaini la Kweli
Andiko la Biblia: Luka 2:8–14
“8. Kulikuwa na wachungaji waliokuwa wakiishi mashambani karibu na hapo, wakilinda makundi yao usiku. 9. Malaika wa Bwana akawatokea, utukufu wa Bwana ukawaangazia pande zote, nao wakaogopa sana. 10. Malaika akawaambia, ‘Msiogope; kwa maana, tazama, nawaletea habari njema ya furaha kuu itakayokuwa kwa watu wote. 11. Kwa kuwa leo katika mji wa Daudi amezaliwa kwa ajili yenu Mwokozi, ndiye Kristo Bwana.’”
Ndugu wapendwa katika Kristo! Tunasherehekea kuzaliwa kwa Bwana wetu Yesu.
Krismasi njema!
Leo ni siku ya furaha tunapokusanyika kwa ibada ya Jumapili ya Krismasi.
Takriban miaka 2,000 iliyopita, Bwana wetu Yesu alizaliwa katika zizi la hali ya chini huko Bethlehemu, Uyahudi. Alikuja kuwa Mwokozi wa wanadamu wote na Mfalme wa wafalme, lakini alizaliwa mahali pa unyenyekevu. Wakati huo, wale waliotamani kweli—mamajusi kutoka Mashariki na wachungaji waliokuwa wakilinda makundi yao—walitambua kuzaliwa kwa Masihi kwa kuongozwa na nyota na maelekezo ya malaika.
Kati ya wanadamu wote, hao ndio waliokuwa wa kwanza kukutana na Yesu, wakimletea zawadi za thamani na kumwabudu. Katika Luka 2:34 na mistari inayofuata, tunawaona Anna, nabii mwanamke aliyeishi akiomba hekaluni, na Simeoni, aliyekuwa akingojea faraja ya Mungu. Walimtambua mtoto Yesu kuwa Mwokozi, ingawa bado hakuwa amehubiri wala kufanya miujiza.
