REV Spencer Maitland, who is visiting Jamaica from the United States, on Sunday implored the congregation of at the Church of God of Prophecy in Stony Hill, St Andrew, to use Christmas to celebrate Jesus Christ and not themselves.

Maitland, who is pastor of the Church of God of Prophecy in Hamstead, New York, was delivering the sermon at a special Christmas Eve service.

“It is Christmas and I want to say Merry Christmas, but I think we have a huge problem. Today is Jesus’s birthday and not ours. If you didn’t get a gift, please don’t get upset. You cannot get what Jesus is supposed to get, so let’s celebrate Jesus.”

The churchman singled out people who design their own Christmas traditions to suit themselves, while at the same time ignoring the true meaning of Christmas, which is to recognise and uplift Jesus Christ.

“Each family has its own tradition. Some families gather on Christmas Eve to open part or all of their gifts. Some consider such an act as a sacrilege or profanity and do not open a single present until everyone is awake and seated on Christmas morning. People do two months of shopping to open a gift in five minutes. When I look back at my childhood, I remember the anticipation of Christmas with wonderful, warm memories. They are some of the most cherished times in my life. We enjoyed the sharing, playing with toys and that special shirt, pants and shoes. But Christmas is not about what you bear to get or give each other, but what you need to give to God. Some people can’t see, walk or do anything, so I have reason to praise Him. The devil is a liar who came to steal and kill, but Jesus came so we could have life more abundantly,” said Maitland.

Maitland reminded his congregation that hell is real and that they need to start walking on the right road, as they prepare to welcome the new year.

“Hell is not a joke thing. You can try to fix it some other way if you wish. But there are two roads, so pick your choice. You can choose hell or heaven. Today is the day Christ stepped out of heaven and came on Earth and he left his splendour in heaven, to live here amongst us on Earth. Jesus stepped out just for you,” he said, as he invited non-believers to accept Christ.