Merry Christmas, Everyone!
“Change” is a dominant theme this Christmas – and it’ll be happening all around us in 2025 as Donald Trump re-enters the White House and Justin Trudeau exits Rideau Hall and is replaced by Pierre Poilievre.
Christmas is a time for renewal and hope and faith, and our outlook for 2025 is more optimistic than ever given current political dynamics and trends.
But let’s not lose sight of what’s most important.
Jesus is The Constant in an ever-changing world – He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He’s the reason, of course, that we celebrate Christmas. He also happens to be the greatest Changemaker there is.
It is our hope and prayer at BMR that everyone everywhere this Christmas will have time to pause and reflect on the real reason for the season.
Truth, which we should all yearn for, can be found when one explores the real reason for the season. Jesus himself said, in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
Just over 2000 years ago Luke recorded the birth of Jesus Christ:
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world (this was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria). And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
“He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'” (Luke 2: 1–12, New International Version)
A Savior was born and He is Christ the Lord. He came for all of us.
A manger is something that is used to hold food and water for animals, so it’s significant that this is where a divine baby was born. From the beginning, Jesus was and still is God with the people. He came to earth in humble beginnings, lived a humble life, and died on a cross for the sins of the world.
In similar style, the first people to be informed of the birth of baby Jesus were the shepherds. In those days shepherds were one of the lowest of society. They were out in the fields living with the animals, not living in castles. The angel of the Lord gives them the Good News for the world. The angel tells them that a Savior has been born to them, not only for them but for the whole world. The angel does not say He was born for some of the people. Jesus was born for ALL the people, ALL races, ALL ethnicities, ALL genders, ALL classes. He is for ALL.
Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus but it is also a day when we celebrate all that He accomplished by willingly going to the cross (for us) in His death. He came to save the world and He wants all of His children to be in relationship with Him. Jesus’ birth and resurrection are irrefutable truths – his resurrection is the foundation of Christianity and sets it apart from all “religions”.
It is our corporate prayer that this Christmas you will feel the Hope of Christ, the Love of Christ, the Joy of Christ, and the Peace of Christ as you share this precious time with friends and family.
As you reflect on the reason for the season, may you also serve and help others who have been less fortunate this year.
From our homes to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Warmest regards,
Jon, John, Daniel and the team at BMR.