By Funmi Komolafe

It’s Christmas, the day we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel according to Saint Luke records his birth this way: Luke 1 vs.30 & 31: “ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary : for thou hast found favour with God. And behold , thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS”.

This passage was the memory verse of my Samuel at his school’s Christmas party.

But let’s reflect deeper on this. Note the words of the angel of God, “ Fear not”. This simply tells us that when we encounter the angel of God, whoever you are, you tend to be scared but because the angel brings good news, he calms you down.  As Christians, we need not fear. Whatever may be the challenge, fear not. You shall overcome in Jesus name.

The second aspect of the angel’s greeting, which is perhaps more relevant to us is “ thou hast found favour with God”. This season either the enemy likes it or not, you will find favour with the Lord. Let’s be reminded that when    the favour of God locates us, we get unmerited promotion. This season, in the name of the most high God, your status will change for the best.

The book of Matthew announced the birth of Jesus this way: Matthew 1 vs. 20 and 21″ But while he ( Joseph) thought of these things, behold , the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying,  Joseph , thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary    thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”.

Note- The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.  We have always emphasized in this column the importance of dreams. By the grace of God, even before this year ends, that dream that will lead you to your breakthrough will be your portion in Jesus name.

In addition, Matthew 1 vs. 23 states, “ Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us”.

I pray for everyone that is waiting on the Lord for children, as we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, God will remember you and you too shall conceive in the name of Jesus.

Even as you celebrate Christmas, focus on Jesus.

Keep the word in your Spirit and ask for God’s mercy.

Be joyful. Your mockers may say, what is the basis of her celebration but very soon, God will manifest himself wonderfully    in your life and they will congratulate you.

However, as we celebrate, we must be cautions. Bear in mind that it is not everyone around you that wish you well. Some are simply out to use the period of celebration to harm you.

The word of the Lord admonishes us to watch and pray.    It mentioned watch even before prayer.    So, be watchful especially when in the midst of friends and relations.

Let me share with your this brief message by Pastor Tinu Odugbemi, coordinator of Women On Their Knees    titled “ Who is your friend?”.

Throwing more light on the word of God in Judges 13 vs 5 she stated, “ Samson’s parents had known the secret    of Samson’s strength    since his birth, yet they    told no one.

Judges 13 vs 5    states “ For, lo, thou shalt conceive , and bear a son, and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel    out of the hand of the Philistines”.

Pastor Odugbemi reminded us that “ the day Delilah heard of it, she told Samson’s enemies and brought Samson down to ordinary ( Judges 16 vs. 17 and 18).

She    drew for us    three lessons , which I’ll share with readers.

The first is “ Everyone qualifies  for your love, but not all the people you love qualify to know the secrets of your life! Because ,some cannot handle it, and others cannot wait to trade your secret for personal gain!.

Secondly, she said, “ the enemy that will destroy you , will not come  with a sword but with a smile!”.

The third lesson she suggested is “ Learning to keep your friends’  secrets is not only about trust, but destines are at stake”.

Concluding she said, “ Nothing can be more dangerous and painful than to share your secrets with your enemy thinking they are your friends”.

Brethren, this does not mean that everyone should be taken as an enemy. Some are genuine friends  but the only friend that can never betray trust is JESUS.

We have a duty to be careful as we celebrate this season.

I’ll share with you a few stories of people who have fallen into traps while celebrating.This is especially for those who travel to villages for celebration. Please note that this can also happen in the cities too but    it is more common in the rural areas.

Testimony –   A certain man who had been richly blessed by God in the city went to the village to celebrate.    He went with is wife and children. He went with a lot of gifts    , which he gave out to people.      At a point he ran out of gifts and began to give cash.      One of those people he gave cash    was his uncle.      The uncle received the cash and thanked him.

However, when this uncle got home, he told his wife how much he was given and the wife regarded the amount as an insult.

To shorten the story, the uncle and his wife took the money to an herbalist and by the time the man returned to the city, everything went down in quick succession.    I mean    his business went down completely.

Being a Christian, he took his case to God in prayer and it was then that    God revealed    the source of his challenge.

The good news is that God who can turn things around intervened on his behalf and his business picked up again but what he went through  is better imagined.

There was also the case of a journalist who travelled out of the country to the United States and was there for about 12 years. While there, God blessed him and he decided to return to Nigeria to set up a small business as a way of giving back to his rural community .He assumed that everyone in the community was happy to see him so he want eating and drinking with relations and friends.

In the process, he was poisoned .    He died.    His dream of setting up the business died and he never returned to the United State of America. His wife and children that he left behind never saw him again.    He was buried in Nigeria.

Brethren, I have told these stories not to scare you but to remind everyone of us to be watchful as we celebrate.

Nevertheless, as we celebrate let’s remember to rededicate our lives to the service of God.

Do not eat carelessly. In these days of kidnappers, watch    the company you keep. Your so-called friends may have set a trap for you. Brethren, be careful.

More importantly, let’s seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God in all that we do.

By the grace of God we shall step into 2017 with the joy    of the Lord in Jesus name.

Merry Christmas!