Christmas greetings from Cyprus
Kalavassos village has left its imprint on the Christmas landscape this year, along with several other villages in the Troödos region. Welcoming lights, decorations and nativity scenes herald the advent of the Christmas season deep in the mountains of Cyprus.
Christmas lights at Kalavassos
The vivid red poinsettias, which stand out against the azure skies of Cyprus, are not without symbolism for the Christmas celebration. The star shape in the centre resembles the star of Bethlehem and the leafy red bracts represent the blood of Christ, a visible reminder of the reason for His coming.
While we enjoy the festive ambience and quality family time of the Christmas season, there is infinitely more to the mere outward festivities. A deeper look at the Christmas story reveals a heart-changing message.
The Impact of Christ's Birth
Christ's birth impacted the course of history like no other because of who He was and why He came. The Bible records the words proclaimed to Joseph by the Angel of the Lord concerning Mary and the Lord's birth:
She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (The LORD is salvation), for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 (Amplified Bible)
As the angels announced His arrival to the humble shepherds that holy night in Bethlehem, God's great redeeming plan for reconciliation and peace had commenced on earth. Christ the Lord would bring salvation to all who believe in Him through His sacrificial death on the cross.
After His death, burial and resurrection, Christianity was ignited on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down to earth and into the lives of Christ's followers. This belief, which has grown exponentially throughout the world, is not a mere 'religion' but a living faith, bringing eternal hope to the hopeless and light to those in darkness.
Photo Pixabay
Of Infinite Importance
The significance of the Christian faith in our world today cannot be overstated. Renowned author and apologist, C. S. Lewis, wrote:
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.
The Christmas story may read like a fable, but it has often been said that truth is stranger than fiction. The story's Author, Omnipotent God, created and upholds the billions of galaxies in our universe.
The words of C. S. Lewis provoke the reader to assess the validity of the Christian faith and its crucial message, which first echoed in the Judean hills. We are challenged to apply the message personally to our lives by seeking forgiveness and salvation from the living Christ.
This Christmas, may you receive the greatest revelation of your life by discovering that Christianity is indeed true and is therefore of infinite importance!
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