MESSAGE TITLE: GOD'S MYSTERY PURPOSE AND HIGHEST EXPECTATION FOR CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS AT CHRISTMAS.
TEXT(S): (John 1:1-4,11-14; Col. 1:26-28; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; 2:10-11).

INTRODUCTION: The annual celebration of Christmas will be reduced to empty rituals if Christians fail to see God's purpose for bringing JESUS Christ to the world that calls for the remembrance of His virgin birth, and death on the cross.
Christmas is a time to reflect on why God used Five (5) major intermediaries and messengers to communicate the virgin birth of Christ as the Only Savior of mankind: Two major Prophets in the Old Testament, Isaiah and Micah, 700 years before the actual birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14;9:6-7; Micah 5:2); and Three (3) Angels from heaven at separate instances brought the good news of the virgin birth to Mary, JOSEPH, and the Shepherds near Bethlehem (Luke 1:26-35; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:10-11). Are these interventions meaningless and without God's purpose?
Christians across the world believe the annual celebration of Christmas in December is all about God's great gift and the birth of Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world from sin, to mankind. I believe all the messages preached on the Convention Theme ("ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE") during this week has confirmed to us that JESUS Christ  only can save man from the bondage of sin, satanic oppression and domination, and finally, spiritual and eternal death. These three accomplishments by Jesus Christ made possible by His virgin birth, sinless life, ministry of good works, atoning death and resurrection from death that have brought salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him, is the main reason for the annual remembrance and celebration of His birth on Christmas.

Only Jesus can save mankind from the bondage to sin, death, and satanic oppression and domination because He is the co-creator of man with God the Father (Gen. 1:26; John 1:1-4; Col. 1:15-16). In Jesus only is ETERNAL LIFE (John 1:4; 3:16; 6:40; 17:3; Rom. 6:23) and thus He only can give life to souls that are dead in sin (John 5:24; Acts 4:12).

By His atoning death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has conquered man's arch enemies of sin, satan and death. Hence God has given Him all authority in heaven and on earth to save completely whoever comes to believe in Him (MATT. 28:18-20). Finally Jesus Christ is now seated at God's right hand throne interceding for the saints. God has also highly exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every other name, that at the mention of the name JESUS every knee shall bow, and every tongue confesses that He is Lord. Hence the name Jesus drives away diseases, demons, death and all the forces of darkness when mentioned by a true believer in Him.
If therefore CHRIST has finished the job of our redemption, then what is God's highest expectation for our annual celebration of His birth and death at both Christmas and Easter seasons?
If there is no purpose for celebrating Christmas, then I see it being reduced to empty rituals as the people of the world is currently doing: Merry-making, carnivals, beach going, engagements in sinful pleasures  at drinking spots and brothels.
GOD'S HIGHEST EXPECTATIONS FROM CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS:
1.0 That through the preaching of the Christmas story about the
      incarnation of Christ, many will get to know and believe in
      Jesus for salvation and eternal life (John 3:16;6:40)
2.0 That believers will grow in their knowledge, love, relationship
      and obedience to the message of Christ (John 14:21,23;
     Acts 2:42-47).
3.0 That believers will represent JESUS Christ in Character
      (Rom. 8:29; EPH. 1:4), Power (Acts 1:8), and His ministry of
      good works and reconciliation (Acts 10:38; Eph. 2:10;
     2 Co. 5:17-19). God's mystery purpose according to the Apostle Paul is the manifestation of Jesus Christ in all believers (Galatians 1:15-16; Col. 1:26-28). God wants the life of Christ be multiplied in believers as we share and live the Gospel message.
The Church has nothing special to offer to the world than JESUS, because in Him is life and that life is the light of all men (John 1:1-4). Life without CHRIST is crises. Without CHRIST man is just groping in the darkness of sin no matter where you live or your status in life. You can never truly cope with the demands and pressures of life without Christ. Precious one reading this message your only responsibility is to accept God's love and offer of Jesus Christ to you now. Believe in Him with all your heart and confess JESUS Christ as your Lord and Savior with your mouth and you shall be saved today (Rom. 10:9,10,17).
The Ministry of reconciliation is the believer’s greatest responsibility to bring salvation, peace, love, joy, and all the blessings of God to mankind. What kind of good works are you involved in the Church? All who were engaged in Christ's Ministry of reconciliation on earth like Peter, John, Paul, McKeown, Painstil, Walker, Yeboah etc. have left great legacies and good names on earth. What legacy will you leave after you are gone?
CONCLUSION: The Christmas story of Christ's birth must birth in us the very life and Ministry of JESUS Christ as we commit ourselves to vital communion with God, study and meditation with obedience to His word, commitment to love God and fellow man, and finally commitment to the great commission of reconciling the world to God through the preaching and teaching of the gospel on any available platform: Dawn broadcast, Church rallies, Conventions, Crusades, radio, TV, facebook, whatsapp, Twitter etc. Love and share the love and the blessings of Christ to all around you.
God's highest purpose in celebrating the birth of Jesus is that Christ will be multiplied and manifested in believers in Character, power, and Ministry of Good works.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all. Amen.

2015 CHRISTMAS CONVENTION CLOSING MESSAGE BY APOSTLE EMMANUEL ACHIM GYIMAH, AREA HEAD, KANESHIE, AT KANESHIE CENTRAL AUDITORIUM ON SUNDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2015.

E-mail: eagyimah@gmail.com. CLICK HERE to follow him on facebook