While the festive trappings of Christmas—the decorations, gifts, and gatherings—are widely recognized, the profound theological and spiritual significance of the day often remains unexplored. Pastor Alex Ogundipe of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in Abuja offers a compelling framework, moving beyond the nativity scene to articulate ten foundational reasons Christmas is celebrated by Christian faithful. This exploration provides a richer understanding of the holiday’s enduring power.
By Taiye Agbaje
Abuja, Dec. 25, 2025 (NAN) – In a message that reframes Christmas from a historical event to a living, transformative reality, Pastor Alex Ogundipe outlined a decalogue of deep spiritual significance for the celebration. Senior Pastor Ogundipe emphasized that while Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, its true meaning is rooted in a divine narrative of promise, restoration, and victory that began long before Bethlehem.
1. The Fulfillment of Divine Promise: Christmas is first a celebration of God’s unwavering faithfulness. “It is the celebration of the fulfilment of the prophecy,” Ogundipe stated, referencing Isaiah 7:14. This connection establishes Christmas not as a spontaneous event, but as the climactic moment in a centuries-old covenant, demonstrating that God’s word is trustworthy and His plans are sovereign across time.
2. The Restoration of Lost Hope: The pastor framed the nativity within the grand arc of biblical history, from Fall to Redemption. “It is the restoration of hope which man lost in the Garden of Eden,” he explained. He painted a vivid picture of Adam’s despair after being estranged from God’s provision and presence. “But the arrival of Jesus Christ was the restoration of hope because through Jesus, we were reconnected back to God.” This reconnection, as noted in Ephesians 2:12, transforms believers from hopeless outsiders into heirs of promise.
3. The Celebration of Impending Victory: Christmas inaugurates the decisive turn in the cosmic struggle between good and evil. “We are celebrating the impending victory staring us in the face,” Ogundipe declared. The birth of Christ is the D-Day of the spiritual realm—the assured beginning of the end for sin and death. This perspective invites believers to live not in fear of current battles, but in the certainty of Christ’s ultimate triumph.
4. The Release of Universal Blessings: The pastor highlighted that Christmas is the conduit through which divine favor flows into the world. “All blessings come from Jesus and it is through him we access the blessings.” In Christian theology, Christ is the mediator; every spiritual blessing—from grace to peace to eternal life—is packaged in the person of Jesus, making Christmas the “launch day” for accessing God’s goodness.
5. The End of Protracted Waiting: For centuries, humanity awaited a Messiah, a theme echoed in countless Old Testament passages. “Christmas also signifies that the waiting is over. Our waiting in darkness is over,” Ogundipe said. This speaks to the relief and joy of a promise finally realized, ending an age of prophetic anticipation and spiritual longing.
6. The Abolition of Spiritual Darkness: Christmas introduces an unconquerable light. Citing John 8:12, where Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world,” Ogundipe framed the incarnation as God piercing the darkness of ignorance, sin, and despair. This light offers not just illumination, but guidance and life itself to all who follow it.
7. The Restoration of God’s Love: At its heart, Christmas is the ultimate expression of divine love in action. “The arrival of Christ signifies the restoration of the love of God,” the cleric noted, pointing to the seminal verse John 3:16. God’s love, which humanity had rejected, is now personally and sacrificially offered in the form of His Son, mending the broken relationship.
8. The Proclamation of Goodwill and Peace: The angels’ announcement to the shepherds (Luke 2:14) of “peace on earth, goodwill toward men” is a foundational Christmas declaration. Ogundipe emphasized this as the celebration of restored harmony—first between God and humanity, and subsequently as an imperative for peace among people. It’s a peace that surpasses circumstantial tranquility, rooted in reconciliation.
9. The Arrival of God’s Definitive Solution: Christmas is the delivery of the answer to humanity’s core problem: sin and separation. “Christmas signifies that God’s solution has arrived,” Ogundipe concluded. Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet, but the singular, divine remedy engineered by God Himself to solve the existential crisis no human effort could fix.
10. The Invitation to Personal Transformation: Beyond the historical and theological reasons, Pastor Ogundipe stressed that for Christmas to be meaningful, it must be personally internalized. He outlined a pathway: genuine repentance, acceptance of Jesus, knowing Him intimately, receiving Him by faith, and finally, surrendering to be led by God’s word. “Don’t let this Christmas be business as usual,” he urged, challenging believers to move from celebration to consecration.
In essence, Pastor Ogundipe’s ten points weave together a tapestry where Christmas is far more than a birthday. It is the pivotal hinge of history where promise met fulfillment, hope was reignited, and God’s plan for redemption entered the world in human form. It is an event that demands not just remembrance, but a response.
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TOA/SH
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Edited by Sadiya Hamza
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