Christmas is the celebration of the coming of Christ into the world. The birth of Christ is the ultimate fulfilment of God’s covenant to mankind prophesied in the Old Testament. Christ’s proclamation of the Kingdom of God has changed the whole world and His Messianic ministry has transformed the spiritual, social, cultural and political face of the globe (Luke 4: 18-19). Nothing in this universe is ever going to be the same again. Christ has made the impossible possible. Christ has conquered death. Mankind has since lived in perfect hope because Christ has ushered in salvation and complete freedom from sin, fear, darkness, oppression, bondage and tyranny of every form.
Israel – the chosen people of God during the life and ministry of Christ, were languishing under the occupying force of the Roman Empire. King Herod and his consorts – hungry for wealth and power sold out their souls and were working with the enemy and for their validation. The resentment, frustration and prevailing hopelessness for the Jew towards the system was staggering. But such political climate was not new for Israel. More than 700 years ago before the birth of Christ, Isaiah records the gloom and distress “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali (in Galilee)” had to bear because of invasion and oppression by dominant forces. But Isaiah 9 proclaims: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation and [a]increased its joy… For You have broken the yoke of his burden. And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor… For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace. There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom. To order it and establish it with judgment and justice.
The declaration of discipline, grace, hope, honour, redemption and restoration in the Book of Isaiah to the people who have experienced great suffering, devastation, humiliation while standing on the verge of assimilation and annihilation is the message of Christmas.
The Federal Government of Nagaland wish Nagas and all peoples and nations upon the earth to attain the salvation, liberation and peace with God and with one another through Christ who was born to us in a lowly stable.
~ Kezha Angami, Kedahge, FGN
