Redeeming the Season: Rejecting the Holiday Blues and Proclaiming the Gospel of Salvation By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” — Luke 4:18 (NKJV)
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Introduction
We are living in a spiritually critical season where emotional exhaustion, stress, depression, and hopelessness increase sharply during what the world calls “the holiday season.” While society presents this period as a time of celebration, indulgence, and tradition, multitudes are inwardly struggling with despair, loneliness, debt, broken relationships, and spiritual emptiness. Suicide rates rise, addictions deepen, and hearts become heavier, even as outward festivities increase.
The prophetic message before us is a divine call from the Living God to His people: a call to reject the so-called “Holiday Blues” and to rise instead as bold proclaimers of the Good News that Jesus Saves. This message is not merely seasonal encouragement; it is a mandate to realign the Church with Heaven’s priorities. God is reminding His people that Jesus Christ did not come merely as a baby in a manger to decorate holidays. He came as the long-awaited Messiah, rejected by men, anointed by the Spirit, and sent to reveal the Kingdom of God in power, truth, mercy, and sacrifice.
This lesson seeks to unfold, with theological depth and pastoral clarity, the heart of God concerning this season. It challenges believers to examine their devotion, their traditions, and their obedience to the Holy Spirit. It calls True Believers to rise as Warriors in a Revolution for the Return to Righteousness, actively proclaiming repentance, salvation, and restoration to a sin-sick and dying world.
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Jesus Christ: More Than a Holiday Symbol
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.” — John 1:14
Jesus Christ did not come into the world to remain confined to sentimental imagery or cultural tradition. His birth was the divine invasion of Heaven into human history. He was born into humility, not to remain a helpless infant, but to grow into full obedience to the Father and manifest the authority of God’s Kingdom on earth.
As He matured, Jesus spoke only what the Spirit instructed Him to say. He demonstrated the Kingdom through healing the sick, cleansing lepers, delivering the oppressed, forgiving sinners, and restoring the broken. He taught with authority, not borrowed from religious systems, but flowing directly from His union with the Father. This threatened the religious elites, who relied on tradition, control, and manipulation rather than truth and compassion.
“For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” — Matthew 7:29
Jesus did not commercialize ministry. He did not charge attendance fees or manipulate offerings. He had no permanent dwelling and followed the Spirit wherever He was led. His life itself was a sermon calling humanity to repentance, faith, and surrender to God.
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The Call to True Discipleship in Our Time
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15
In the same way, the Spirit of God is speaking today to those who desire to be true disciples. This call is not to comfort, luxury, or conformity, but to obedience, courage, and sacrifice. God is calling His people out of spiritual complacency and emotional self-absorption into active participation in His redemptive mission.
The Holiday Blues become dangerous when they distract believers from God’s purpose. When Christians focus more on stress, traditions, shopping, and social obligations than on the eternal destiny of souls, they miss divine opportunities. Multitudes are bound by sin, unable to free themselves, longing for change but ignorant of where to begin.
“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” — Matthew 9:37
God’s concern is not with preserving festive moods but with rescuing perishing souls. True disciples hear the Spirit’s command and respond with obedience, choosing compassion over comfort and mission over mood.
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Tradition Versus Truth: A Call to Spiritual Discernment
“Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” — Matthew 15:6
Many traditions labeled as “Christian” have gradually lost their spiritual substance and become vehicles of materialism, excess, and distraction. God warns His people not to be bound by traditions that hinder obedience to the Spirit. When traditions become idols, they compete with God’s will.
Jesus Himself confronted religious traditions that contradicted God’s heart. The Jewish leaders had adopted practices from captivity and used them to control people and extract wealth. Their obsession with outward compliance masked inward corruption.
“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” — Matthew 15:8
True warriors of faith learn contentment with essentials and reject the lie that happiness comes from excess. God desires a people who are Spirit-directed, not tradition-bound.
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Light Versus Darkness: The Cost of Proclaiming Truth
“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” — John 1:5
Whenever truth is proclaimed, darkness is exposed. This is why Jesus was hated, opposed, and ultimately crucified. Those who benefit from deception fear exposure. Yet God calls His people to shine boldly, not retreat into silence.
Believers must not look upon sinners with pride or contempt. Instead, they must approach them with mercy, understanding that many are deeply oppressed, especially during seasons of emotional vulnerability.
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
The Gospel is not condemnation; it is liberation. Proclaiming Jesus is an act of love, not judgment.
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The Urgency of Salvation in a Dying World
“Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2
Every day, souls die without Christ. Hell is real, and eternity is irreversible. God’s heart grieves when His people prioritize indulgence over intercession and celebration over compassion. He calls His Church to awaken from spiritual slumber and engage in the battle for souls.
The season of holidays should become a season of harvest. The same crowds gathered for celebration can be reached with the message of repentance, mercy, and salvation.
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Summary
This lesson has revealed God’s heart concerning the holiday season and His call to reject emotional distraction and spiritual complacency. Jesus Christ came not to endorse tradition, but to establish the Kingdom of God. True disciples are called to obey the Spirit, proclaim salvation, reject materialism, and shine as light in darkness. The urgency of salvation demands boldness, compassion, and unwavering commitment.
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Conclusion
God is calling His people back to righteousness, obedience, and mission. The Holiday Blues are not merely emotional states; they are spiritual distractions that can rob believers of divine purpose. This is the time to rise as true warriors of faith, proclaiming the living Savior to a broken world. Heaven rejoices over one soul that repents, and God desires His people to partner with Him in this eternal work.
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Call to Action
Choose today to surrender your season to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to redirect your focus from self to souls. Open your mouth, share the Gospel, pray for the lost, and live intentionally. Let this season mark a turning point in your obedience and boldness.
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Final Word of Encouragement
Do not be discouraged by opposition or distracted by pressure. God is with you. His Spirit empowers you. As you obey, He will confirm His Word with mercy, miracles, and transformed lives. Shine boldly, for the light within you is greater than the darkness around you.
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Salvation Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ.
I acknowledge that I am a sinner and cannot save myself.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,
that He died for my sins, and rose again for my justification.
Today, I repent of my sins and turn away from my old life.
I receive Your gift of salvation by faith.
Jesus, I confess You as my Lord and Savior.
Wash me, cleanse me, and make me new.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me live for You.
From this day forward, I belong to You.
Thank You for saving my soul.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
