COMMENT In our confused world, Christmas means different things to different people and the true meaning of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ may easily be lost or misunderstood.

The age-old theme of good versus evil since the fall of the rebellious Lucifer aka Satan is still found in Hollywood blockbusters like 'Star Wars', a poignant reminder that in reality evil as personified by the devil does exist and preoccupies the human psyche.

The devil is the 'god of this world', pitting his wits against God and his angels in the unseen realm and with us unwitting humans as collateral damage, but for God's timely intervention with the 'immaculate conception' and history's most influential figure, the birth of Jesus Christ.

The devil - the deceiver - seems to be winning with the wayward ways of man but God holds him back and will act in his time and not disappoint us. Where corruption abounds and evil rears its ugly head know who is behind it.

Those who advocate voting for the 'devil we know' may be unwittingly playing into the devil's hands. We know the devil can put words into people's mouth as he did with Apostle Peter, when Jesus chided the devil behind Peter though it was Peter who spoke the devil's words.

Evil is corrupting. Evil is pervasive. Evil is punishing the good and rewarding the corrupt. It happens in every human activity but when it corrupts governance, the people suffer.

Yet evil has a 'use by' date and God will roll up evil as we know it in his time. This calls for patience. Malaysians who see 'dark political times' when the good are punished and the bad rewarded understand it well.

The devil - the father of lies - is a defeated foe because of what Jesus did on the cross and all who do evil after the devil even without their realisation face a grievous future in the hands of an angry God who will punish all liars, murderers and evildoers.

Ultimately the human struggle is not against one another but the powers of evil and the devil who has led the world astray into all forms of evil, as Paul wrote in one of his epistles to the Ephesians:

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Ideas of fallible man

God cares not for our religion but our relationship with him.

Religion created by man can be sadly self-serving. These days we don't hear this simple truth enough. Religion, man-made, based on the ideas of fallible man can be a detraction from God, strangely enough.

That's why Jesus Christ clashed often with the religious leaders, the Pharisees, the ultimate in religious pomposity and hypocrisy and a hindrance to God. Starting with God, they added their own ideas not of God and made religion burdensome for others.

Truth revealed by God is ointment to the soul and our positive response restores our relationship with God and seals our salvation. Until we are reconciled to God, religion, an end in itself with all its trappings, is quite vain and futile.

The disciples of Jesus Christ are to be witnesses of God's revealed grace and mercy to all mankind out in the open, as they live lives consistent with the Bible's teachings that help believers stay away from sin and its corrupting influence.

No one is sinless, or so perfect he or she does not need God's forgiveness. No one can redeem the sins of another or himself. Hence, the angels declared to the shepherds, 'A saviour is born to you.'

That is the crux of Christmas. The rest is culture. Take it or leave it. But you can't omit the reason for the season - the incarnation of Jesus Christ - for Christmas, even if its celebration in terms of date and origin is contentious, is about our salvation, to give us a future and hope.

In a world of competing and often hostile ideas, it is important all Christians live as 'salt of the earth', servants of their societies and witnesses for Christ. They should never fear where possible to speak out for God and the truth.

They are to pray for their persecutors and governments and ensure within a democracy that there is good governance and that truth and justice are foundational to nation-building.

They are not to join hands with the corrupt in doing wrong because bad company corrupts good character. They are to put their hands to the plough for good, sow what is good and reap a harvest of righteousness for their nation. Righteousness exalts a nation. Corruption sickens it.

Christians are to characterise their Lord and Saviour by making love their aim. They are to love their nation, love their neighbours and overcome evil with good. Remember those in prison, and the orphans and widows and those in need.

Pray for PM Najib Abdul Razak, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar Ibrahim, other political prisoners and the persecuted, the opposition and civic society leaders and the government, especially those who are corrupt that they will come to their senses and repent of all their corrupt ways and look after the needs of the nation.

God is above anyone's religion

God will act if we humble ourselves and pray. In these trying times, prayer is our all-powerful weapon against the principalities and powers of darkness working out their anti-Christ schemes through evil men and women.

Christians do well to remember the exhortation of Apostle Peter, "Live such good lives among the unbelievers that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:12.

Make it a meaningful Christmas and spread the love of Jesus Christ to everyone not only in word but in deed.

God, the awesome God desires a God-blessed, spirit-filled and Christ-centred Christmas season and beyond for all Christians and peace among all Malaysians.

The devil "has come to steal, kill and destroy" and works through his human agents. But Jesus Christ said, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly. Be of good cheer I have overcome the world."

Blessed are the peacemakers for they are indeed the true children of God, who pray for the sick and a sick nation. Remember the poor and hungry.

God is above anyone's religion and 'his eyes move to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose hearts are completely his.' May God Almighty watch over and bless Malaysia in 2016.

Make it a meaningful Christmas.

STEVE OH is the author of the novel ‘Tiger King of the Golden Jungle’ and composer of the musical of the same title. He believes in good governance and morally upright leaders.