Christmas is one time of the year that means a whole lot of things to a lot of people.
for some it is a season of celebrations generally speaking, like it’s another public holiday, for others it is a time of visiting: people, places, events, etc.
for some, it’s an evangelical time – used for outreaches and engage in other nice christian stuff.
for some also, it’s a time to just relax at home and take some deserved rest,
for some others it is a good time to fix for marriage ceremonies, end of year parties, church retreats, et-al.
for some too, it’s a fun time to go shopping, get new clothes, shoes and so on.
for some still, it’s just a time to watch others celebrate, cos to them it’s all just a bloody waste of money!
for some again, years ago Christmas used to mean something to them when they were much younger, but now it means practically nothing, cos there’s no money to felicitate with.
but for whatever it’s worth, Christmas time must mean something to you, or nothing at all. so do share with us what CHRISTMAS MEANS TO YOU!
i’m sure it would be fun reading your comments.
God bless you.
PGA.
PASTOR GBENGA AYODELE 
#1 by John on December 19, 2009 - 4:29 PM
I love Christmas…it’s a time of love. a lot of people remember to love and appreciate one another. share gifts…..and other nice things. i think it’s good
#2 by Pastor Gbenga Ayodele on December 23, 2009 - 12:36 PM
hi John,
I think it’s good too, so make sure you share those gifts you love to this Christmas.
merry Christmas and God bless you.
#3 by Pastor Gbenga Ayodele on December 19, 2009 - 4:43 PM
Blu Smith 19 December at 16:27
Christmas mean the birth of the lord being born on this day. To be happy and bless and talk bout the lord as well sing.
It’s not about getting so many gifts.
there are ids out there that don’t get that or don’t have family alive as well. Christmas makes to me to be thankful for what i have.
only thing i want for christmas is to see my son that will be my great gift and just to take a few pictures with him and my daughter
Sent via Facebook Mobile
#4 by Chengiee on December 19, 2009 - 6:19 PM
To me, Christmass is a time for me and my family to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ’s Birth-dayyy..so wee really get together and have a big meal, not forgetting to invite the dear Lord into our house, for his Birthdayy. We have a bring and sharee super with the family. Nice timess..x
#5 by Pastor Gbenga Ayodele on December 23, 2009 - 12:38 PM
hi Chengiee,
celebrate all that you can.
you are the reason for the season.
merry Christmas and God bless you.
#6 by Joan on December 19, 2009 - 8:53 PM
my ideal christmas day begins in church for christmas service after which the afternoon would spent visiting the sick at the hospital to pray for them and encourage them.
#7 by Pastor Gbenga Ayodele on December 23, 2009 - 12:46 PM
hi Joan,
that’s a very good one, cos Jesus said “I was sick and you visited me…….” that’s exactly what you’re doing when you visit the sick in His name.
I have a particular testimony to that regard, once when I was on the missionary field in Burkina Faso, West Africa:
a lady i once visited in the hospital on Christmas day and who received free copies of the daily devotional ‘Rhapsody Of Realities’ from me; later became a member of my church and was also responsible for bringing more than fifty percent of the members at that time to church! just from a simple hospital visitation, my church grew in leaps and bounds the following year.
Praise God!
#8 by Justin on December 19, 2009 - 8:56 PM
what is that one thing that the Lord would want me to do for Him on that day being His birthday?
I must win a soul to Christ!
#9 by Pastor Gbenga Ayodele on December 23, 2009 - 1:02 PM
hi Justin,
make sure you do just that!
merry Christmas to you.
#10 by TeeJay on December 20, 2009 - 3:58 PM
i can say I’m a huge fan of christmas, back in the days, it used to be a time of beach parties, water surfing, beach soccer, car racing, horse riding, nite clubbing and all that.
but when i got born again, i found out i couldn’t do a lot of that stuff and initially i thought all the fun had been lost.
but when i came to Christ Embassy church, i realized the true meaning of christmas and went a long way to help me know how best to spend/enjoy it!
christmas celebrates the birth and coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; so question – why did He come?
As soon as that question was answered for me, I knew I had to get to work…..christmas had to be a time to save the souls of men, much more than any other time, because that’s the reason that Jesus actually came to this world.
and this christmas, i plan to get at least ten people born again.
amen.
thank you.
#11 by Jen on December 20, 2009 - 4:09 PM
Christmas means laughing and spending time with your family and friends but most important of all is celebrating the birth of Christ.
#12 by Ella on December 20, 2009 - 4:14 PM
Christmas to me means spending time with those you love and who love you. It’s not about presents as a lot of kids think. It’s about enjoying the time you have on this Earth. But most importantly it’s about forgetting those bad feelings you might have about someone and celebrating the birth of Christ, Jesus, with the world no matter who you are.
#13 by Angie on December 20, 2009 - 4:15 PM
I pray a lot during the Christmas season, giving my thanks to the Lord. I have 3 children, so at the same time, I must teach them the true meaning of Christmas which is the birth of Jesus. It also means we as a family decorate the inside of the house, we put up a tree, and decorate outside. My children really love this. I also love to give gifts and I enjoy giving to people. Of course spending time with my family is also important. Its exciting!!
#14 by Teisha on December 20, 2009 - 4:21 PM
What does it mean to me?
I used to know, but I’m not sure anymore.
Jesus Christ was born on this day so it must mean that this a day for peace and love.
After 9-11 All I want for Christmas is for everyone to be happy because even Osama should be happy on Christmas (I hate him!) but if everyone isn’t happy I won’t be either.”
#15 by Jessica on December 20, 2009 - 4:23 PM
Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. Not only for the holly and mistletoe but for the true meaning of Christmas. The birth of Christ and that is not all that it means to me it means being with family being with the people you love. I don’t think that anybody should be alone on Christmas.
#16 by Mary Berry on December 20, 2009 - 4:30 PM
MY CHRISTMAS ITINERARY:
7.40am Take turkey out of fridge to allow to come to room temperature before cooking. Arrange oven shelves so that the turkey will fit.
8.10am Preheat the oven to 220°C/ Fan 200°C/Gas 7.
8.40am Turkey into oven for 40 minutes at the high temperature.
9.20am Reduce oven temperature to 160°C/ Fan 140°C/ Gas 3 and cook turkey for a further 3½ hours, basting now and again.
10.00am Arrange smoked salmon or gravadlax on plates for first course. Butter brown bread. Cover the plates with clingfilm and keep in the fridge.
12.30pm Re-steam Christmas pudding to reheat. Warm plates and serving dishes if you have a hot plate. If using a second oven, heat in a low oven later.
1.00pm Check to see if the turkey is nearly cooked – turn back foil and turn heat up to 220°C/ Fan 200°C/Gas 7 for last 30 minutes to crisp skin. Put sausages wrapped in bacon into the second oven, at 190°C/ Fan 170°C/Gas 5 for 45 minutes until cooked and crisp.
1.20pm Reheat aubergine five-nut roast, if serving, at 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas 5 for about 30 minutes. Take turkey out of oven. Test to make sure it is cooked. Leave to relax, loosely covered in foil and a thick towel for about 30 minutes before carving. Re-roast potatoes (half roasted) in oven at 220°C/ Fan 200°C/ Gas 7. Reheat celeriac puree (covered in foil) and apricot stuffing in the second oven, preheated to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas 5 for 30 minutes. Reheat red cabbage on hob in a large pan, or microwave for a few minutes, spoon into a serving dish and keep warm. Arrange first courses on the table.
1.40pm Re-roast parsnips (half roasted) by putting into the same hot oven with the potatoes. Reheat apricot stuffing in second oven, at 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas 5, for about 20 minutes. Reheat gravy, adding skimmed roasting juices from the cooked turkey. Check seasoning. Gently reheat scarlet confit in a pan on the hob, spoon into a serving dish and keep warm. Heat serving dishes and plates (if you didn’t do so before).
1.50pm Cook sprouts, drain and put in serving dish. Carve the turkey. Add a little milk and reheat the bread sauce gently in a small pan on the hob. Reheat tomato sauce to go with the aubergine five-nut roast if serving, in a medium pan on the hob. Remove everything from the ovens, and put into warm serving dishes.
2.00pm Check water level on Christmas pudding, before you sit down to eat. Serve lunch.
Later… Serve Christmas pudding with brandy butter or chosen sauce. Scatter toasted flaked almonds on to trifle.
#17 by Antionette Christopher on December 20, 2009 - 4:34 PM
To me CHRISTmas is a time to thank the lord for what he has done for the people on this earth and the day that he was born in Bethlehem.
Christmas think that it is all about presents and material things. This is a time to forget all worries and the hatred that you have against people.
Christmas should be a day for family, but it has became a day about how much money can be spent and how quick you can open one present to get to the next.
I believe the meaning of Christmas has been lost through out the years instead of being about love and sharing with family/friends. It’s all about how many hours you can spend in a store and how much money can you spend.
It is so sad that we have got away from the true meaning of Christmas. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to give one gift and have a wonderful dinner and enjoy just being with your family instead of over spending and going in debt? Well that is my out look on what Christmas has become and most of you probably understands and agrees with me!
So, Hello everyone may God bless each and every one of you all. Christmas is such a wonderful Holiday, but actually Christmas day is Jesus Christ birthday our Lord.
This day doesn’t mean go give gifts, but to realize that this is the day God sent his only son so that we might have salvation.
This is what it’s suppose to mean, but we as people made it seem like a day to give gifts and talk about Santa, when we really should be telling the children the true meaning of this day.
Everything else is good the gifts and everything, but it’s good to remember the true meaning of Christmas.
#18 by Irene on December 20, 2009 - 6:37 PM
when I was a child, I was told that Xmas means the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and that I always believe as a christian. I really do wish there was biblical backing for this.May be there is but I have’nt read to that passage. Compliment of the season!!!!!!!!!!!!
#19 by laurence on December 20, 2009 - 10:07 PM
what does it mean for me? this december is particularly bkoz i’ll spend my xtmas on prayers, fasting i hav to back n spend more time with God by studyin the word, usually on 24 i hav fun with my family we enjoy it all night so its my time to show love to others,laugh,smile,studyin my lessons,prepare the next year n shine on january!!! coming back with success n success glory to glory n shine. finally i’ll bless the name of the Lord Jesus give my sister gifts may god bless you people of God
#20 by Gabriel on December 21, 2009 - 5:28 AM
To me its a time of reflection and a time to take stock of my life. And also to show love to my neighbors, relations and friends. Happy Xmas to u all.
#21 by Onajite on December 21, 2009 - 8:34 AM
Christmas means the birth of Jesus Christ, the birth means that this season marks the time when salvation was born into the world. I think Christmas is a time when hope is restored because God gave us a second chance of hope. Lets use this time to restore hope to a dying world as Christians and enter into office as ministers of reconciliation. Merry Christmas to everyone.
#22 by Zain on December 21, 2009 - 8:58 AM
Christmas to me is a time to share love to everyone around us. A day for us to serve the Lord with gladness and bless the people around us.
#23 by Saint Uduak on December 21, 2009 - 1:30 PM
To me, Christmas means celebrating Salvation because that is what the birth of Christ brought. It also means sharing love, to those around us – the motherless, orphans, sick, etc. Show them that someone loves them and use it as an avenue for soul winning.
Have a wonderful Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year!
#24 by tawana on December 21, 2009 - 4:45 PM
i remember a few yrs bak may be 3 or so wen i was 18 turnin 19. in our hse xmas wasnt a day we really celebrated as a family, my mum wud be workin on the day and wen she came bak shed be too tired…. so i wud jus be sleepin or jus relaxin at home watchin tv and christmas specials on christian channels but on ths particular xmas a few yrs bak…i decided to remember wat xmas was all about wat it was truly abt and ths is wen i had started listenin to the man of God pastor Chris Oyakhilome ….and i remember on ths dayeven though we did not spend time as a family, i remember buying a cake, i went to my bedroom with it, i began to pray in tongues and i remember wen i finished prayin i sang happy birthday jesus…thank u for cumin to earth for me. i gave the cake to everyone wen id finished prayin and thankin jesus.
wen u asked this question pastor it reminded me of this day. the simplicity of wat i did and yet the power of it. i just cried and thot dear jesus!! bcos for the past few yrs xmas again has as it always continued to be ‘boring,lame’ and i on the other hand wud be workin.
i lost the meaning of wat xmas was abt, for me its abt remembering the birth of jesus and the life he came to give me and thank him for comin to earth and livin everyday for me.
christmas i celebrate the life of jesus
#25 by tamara johnson on December 22, 2009 - 9:43 AM
To me Christmas means, to celebrate the birth and the life of Our Lord Jesus , who was born to set us free and to give us eternal life. so to me, Christmas is therefore about love, peace, happiness, appreciation, thanksgiving.When i was much younger i use to think Christmas was just all about getting and giving present and the food lol. but now that i have grown up, I’ve learn the true meaning of Christmas, especially because i’m born again. just want to thank God for everything he has done in my live……
#26 by King-Priest Leo on December 22, 2009 - 12:40 PM
Last year, Pastor Chris gave us the true meaning of Christmas and this was what he said: C-Christ has come H-Hope fulfilled R-Righteousness is ours I-Inheritance bestowed S-Salvation complete T-Telling the untold M-Ministry of reconciliation A-Acceptance of God S-Sonship now! This is a time for me to meditate on this and express it passionately to my world.
#27 by Raymond Chinyakuza on December 22, 2009 - 1:02 PM
I take Christmas as the day of ‘initial’ manifestation of God’s plan of redemption,initial implementation of John3:16.Shalom
#28 by Njoku Ugochi on December 22, 2009 - 1:27 PM
For me Christmas is a time of sharing with your loved ones and those around you. Since i know i’m the reason for the season i need to let others know it too that the reason we are celebrating Christ is because of His love for us which He showed by dying for us. I’ll share the love in me this season and i’ll talk about Christ to someone this Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone. God bless you!!!
#29 by Andrew AShiofu on December 22, 2009 - 2:16 PM
Christmas reminds me of Jesus Christ. to me it is a season for soul winning. A lot of people even Christians do not know the purpose of the season. I look around and see how abused it has been made and how they have removed God from the whole event. It is not a time for giving gifts to each other but a time of giving ZOE to the people of the earth. This is an opportunity to give lives a meaning. That is Christmas to me.
#30 by Andrew AShiofu on December 22, 2009 - 2:17 PM
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World and the reason we are celebrating. let us give Him the glory amd praise for this season and preach the Gospel in Love.
#31 by uche on December 22, 2009 - 2:30 PM
pastor, i want to take advantage of this opportunity to thank you for being such a great blessing to me especially,The pastor sermon notes you make availability to us , leaves with a feeling of not being so far away anyways. Thank you so much and God bless and increase mightly in your work in the mininstry.
Then back to the question. Christmas to me is a time of thanksgiving to God , for the precious gift of Our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. its a time to celebrate the awsome gift , given to us by God.
Joy to the world.
#32 by Pastor Gbenga Ayodele on December 22, 2009 - 6:58 PM
hello Uche, it’s been a while……and i sure missed you!
do have yourself a wonderful Christmas!
#33 by Peter I.N on December 22, 2009 - 3:43 PM
To me, Christmas is a special season we celebrate oursleves because if it was not for me and you,Christ would not have come. We share/demonstrate love to everyone around us because what God did in sending His only begotten Son is a demonstration of love.Christmas is a special season to me. Thank you for the opportunity to share.
#34 by Abigail on December 23, 2009 - 9:05 AM
Christmans to me means celebrating Jesus Christ. This is the time to win souls to Christ taking advantage of the holidays and all gatherings to preach the good news to all. Glory to God!!
#35 by Thandi Shange on December 23, 2009 - 9:47 AM
Christmas can change yr life just as Jesus Christ was born in stable 2,000 yrs ago, so he can live in our hearts each and everyday when we ask him in.Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords . This Christmas i invite u all just as the wise man did to worship Jesus. Invite him to be both yr Savior and yr Lord.Even the kings of the earth will someday bow down and worship Jesus Christ.Lets begin today.
Merry Christmas to all of u Saints God Bless u.
#36 by Barbra Madonko on December 24, 2009 - 6:45 AM
For me Christmas is a time of humbleness, thankfulness,love, kindness and all that depicts love,because it is the time that God sent His love and fulness to redeem us from a world of darkness! It is a time to praise Him who found us worthy to be saved by His Son Jesus Christ by sending HImto be born by Mary. Merry Christmas.
#37 by Pastor Gbenga Ayodele on December 24, 2009 - 7:18 AM
Merry Christmas Barbra,
you know you’ve been such a wonderful blessing this year and it is so so appreciated…..may God bless you and move you to that next level of ministry which you so much desire to see.
the glory of God is yours in 2010. amen.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and regards to everyone else at home.
#38 by oluwakemi okorie on December 24, 2009 - 5:53 PM
to me it is time to celebrate Jesus Christ and to win soul,we also celebrate ourselves by showing love to people around us.this is what Christmas means to me, merry Christmas to you
#39 by Blessing on December 26, 2009 - 5:07 PM
For me i believe Christmas is a time to celebrate d birth of our Savior Jesus Christ…when it comes to a time like this i always find myself happy bcos there is a lot of fun.
d atmosphere alone defines it.
today a friend of mine told me that in their church they don’t celebrate Christmas and i ask why, he said it is not scriptural except d death..
i told him if d death is worth celebrating so much more d birth.
i need more explanation on dis topic.
thank u
#40 by Regina onwuachumba on December 28, 2009 - 7:41 AM
Christmass for me is that word of god that was made flesh and dwells amongst us. It’s a time to reflect on the the purpose of His coming. John 10:10 ……..I am come that ye might have life and have it in full. life and it’s totality is in CHRIST JESUS. If you are yet to recieve CHRIST do so today and you will have life in full, what manner of love that God has bestowed on his Children by giving us CHRIST JESUS to come and substitute his life for ours!!!. Cheer up and be glad for YOU ARE THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!! SHALLOM!!!!!!!