Knowing the Christ of Christmas

Having examined the trends in our government, judicial system, the Church, and the culture as a whole, we must confess that we have come to the end of ourselves and are in desperate need of a Christ awakening in the nation. We consider catastrophic a future without the Spirit’s extraordinary intervention. We have committed ourselves to the prescriptions and promises of 2 Chronicles 7:14 and are calling upon every ministry, church, and institution within our influence to join us in humbling ourselves before God, seeking His face, and turning from our present way of life.

We must recognize knowing about Christ and walking in an empowering, personal relationship with the Christ of Christmas are very different. What might a Christ awakening look like if we examine the incarnation narrative?

• The shepherds were informed of the Savior by an angel and a great company of heavenly hosts proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” (Luke 2:14). They knew about Christ.

• They decided to go see this thing that had happened, which the Lord had told them about. They hurried to Bethlehem where they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manager. They were in the presence of Christ.

• This encounter caused the shepherds to spread the word about the child in such a way “all who heard it were amazed” (Luke 2:18). They not only had a conversation about Christ, but they had conversation with God, glorifying and praising Him for all they had heard and seen.

• The Holy Spirit gave divine revelation about Christ to Simeon, who took Christ in His arms, praised God, and prophesied over the Messiah to His parents. Anna the prophetess, who lived a life of worship, fasting, and prayer, also “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). They embraced Christ and His mission of redemption.

• Joseph and Mary lived a daily life with Christ, observed as He astonished the religious teachers, and treasured the wonder of it all in their hearts. They had a consistent relationship with Christ.

• However, not until Mary and others like the beloved disciple John knelt at the foot of Christ’s cross, spent time in the Upper Room, and were empowered by the Holy Spirit did they truly know the Christ of Christmas in the fullness of the Spirit.

Being engaged in a natural, ongoing relationship with Christ involves more than knowledge of His incarnation, enjoyment of His presence at Christmas Eve mass, or even public prayers prayed at the New Year’s Eve prayer meeting. We pray that you will be in consistent, Spirit-empowered communion with Him on a daily basis in the coming year as we covenant together with God for a fresh awareness of Christ in our lives.