The last few days have been hectic for all Christians. And it will continue to be like that all through this December and onto the beginning of January. Have we not allowed again the Christmas season to be diminished and condensed to be a period of covetousness, self-indulgence and pressure? In the modern world, the true significance of December 25th has been misplaced and even lost because most Christians really do not care. They torture themselves with buying gifts, hopping from shop to shop to catch the best sale available before the others get there. Not for a moment do they stop to recall the Almighty Father’s true intention for us to celebrate Christmas. How many from us ponder on His gift to us – Jesus? We should celebrate Christmas as a thanksgiving to God for giving us His son to die for us. But for Him, we would all have gone to Hell. We get carried away in the collecting side of the Christmas holiday season. The spotlight is on all we can look forward to from everybody else. Consider for a moment – what happens when every family member, friend and member in the neighbourhood reversed their behaviour of receiving to one of giving during this Christmas season? Why not we do what God did? He gave us His son Jesus. If we can alter our thinking, everyone else’s needs will be fulfilled. More love will be generated. All will be blessed. Christmas should be more than hanging that traditional tree, those silver foiled gifts eager to be opened. As we said the other day, it is all about Jesus. He really is the reason for this season. Let us defy ourselves to center on other people and be a blessing to them. Like what Jesus was. Let us draw up a record of all the people we know. Pray to God to let us know how we can make their lives more thrilling and pleasing. By doing this, God can exhibit His love for them. There is nothing wrong in expecting and getting that touch screen computer as present this season. He wants us also have that lucky thing. Only let us do the same for others. In all this noise and chaos, we should recall the explanation for this celebration. Jesus made sure that we had eternal … [Read more...]
Let us not concentrate only on ourselves during this Christmas season
It is Christmas Season All over Again
Friends! It is Christmas season all over again, when Christians young and old will gather together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with great rejoice and happiness. Bethlehem will be on television in the homes of every Christian all through the week. When we take a moment to stop and think about the significance of the birth of Jesus, a question still comes to mind in many of us.... “What is the big deal about the birth of Jesus? Why is He the central figure in the Christian faith?” To put it plainly, Jesus is the only way out for us to get out of the mess that both Adam and Eve created for all mankind when they sinned against God. It was their sin that separated God from His Creation. And He had to find a way out to cancel and nullify what sin did. Again, to put it bluntly, He had to find a new beginning for all mankind. What was the solution? Easy! Jesus Christ!!! As we read the most important passage in the Bible in John 3:16 “For so God loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus...” we can only wonder at the goodness of our Heavenly Father. Halleluiah! Praise God! We thank God for loving us so much. When we pause and understand fully what the birth of Jesus means, we can conclude that Christmas is more than a holiday on December 25th. As the popular saying is repeated “Jesus is the reason for this Christmas season.” So let us dwell again on the faithfulness of God here. He had His Son Jesus born, live and finally die for us. He truly redeemed us for Himself. We will never be able to thank Him enough. Speaking of Christmas season, it is time to sing all those famous hymns again. “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night Holy Night” and “Hark the herald angels sing” will be heard in every church all over the world. Let us only rededicate ourselves to live the life that Jesus wanted us to live. He is watching and smiling as I write this in thanksgiving for Him, our saviour. Bible commentator: Sunder Venkataram (Thane) … [Read more...]
