Behold Its Good Tidings of Great Joy from SCOAN

The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN)

Bethlehem, in Hebrew, is "Bet Leḥem" or “Town of Bread”. It is currently a town in the West Bank,  in the Judaean Hills about  5 miles (8 km) south of Jerusalem. According to the Gospels (Matthew 2; Luke 2), Bethlehem was the site of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Joseph and a heavily pregnant Mary had to ride on a donkey,  from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a journey of about 160km. The journey is called a Nativity Trail. Prophet Micah (5:2) had prophesied concerning the birth of King Jesus in Bethlehem. In this modern-day, Bethlehem is still famous for being the place of Jesus Christ's birth and has been celebrated in Christmas Carols and Hymns through the centuries. The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) is joining others around the globe to celebrate this 2021, the first one without our Founder Prophet TB Joshua.

It was like the days of Ezra (1:1) when the time for the return of Israel from captivity came to fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah. The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation. Similarly when the time came that Jesus would be born, and as prophesied, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that everyone should be taxed in their own native city. It was a divine order that took Joseph up from Galilee together with Mary into Bethlehem, also called the city of David, because he was of the house and lineage of David. Therefore whatever is happening around the world, or whatever is happening to us at SCOAN, is a divine order from above. Things may seem less pleasant but everything is divine from above. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way, (Psalms 36:23). God's Will shall always be done.

The time when Jesus was born were not days of modern live-television broadcasts and news media as we have today. However, God had made all the necessary arrangements for the Good News to be preserved for all generations. There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. The angel of the Lord came upon them. The glory of the Lord shone around them. They were sore afraid. The angel said to them, "Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord". The angel left them with detailed descriptions of where they would find the baby Jesus. In addition, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and singing.

The shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see and confirm what the Lord had made known unto them. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. They made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. All who heard their story wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Who is this Jesus that ordinary shepherds had the privilege to see and witness for? Wise men came with all their riches, experience and age to worship baby Jesus and to present highly symbolic precious gifts. A devoted old man Simeon took the baby Jesus up in his arms, and blessed God, and saying, "My eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel". Who is this Jesus?

In this Christmas, it is desired that God should kindly open our spirit mind to see what the angel, the host of heaven, the shepherds, the Wise Men from the East, old Simeon, what they see about this Jesus and sang and worship. Obviously, they saw beyond a mere baby in Mary's arms. They saw Jesus as the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, the one with the key of David, they saw an Infinite Being. Apostle Paul (Philippians 2:5-11) admonishes us to humble ourselves with the humble mindset in Christ Jesus. That Jesus is the form of God that has humbled Himself to take the form of ordinary man for our salvation. God also has highly exalted Him and has given Him a name that is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is the Jesus of Prophet TB Joshua of SCOAN. This Jesus gives us confidence not only to wish everyone a Merry Christmas but also the "Good Morning and Win Today".

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria