Merry Christmas!

Deck the halls! Shopping centres are quickly doing what they do best - to sell you things. Decor for Christmas are up quickly after Deepavali and soon after the Lunar New Year stuff will follow. I am already seeing CNY stuffs selling during Christmas. With high rentals comes this obsession. Are we overdoing things and over running and over stretching ourselves?

When I was young, there were only a few big shopping departmental stores - Robinsons at Raffles Place (and the famous Change Alley), Tangs and Metro at High Street. They had lucky dips for a dollar and children love it. Life was simple.

In the midst of our modern world, people are increasingly knowing the price of everything but the value of none. We have giant snowman, rein deers, Santa Claus, snow and Christmas trees in full display. Unashamedly.

There are even some displays of  a baby in the manger. It does add to the festive spirit and in a good year, you get your bonus around this time but do we just reduce Christmas to a thing of glamour?

What is Christmas about? Watch a father's love and sacrifice in this clip. It is about love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oZYi1j_Z8g

The Bible said that God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee to a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph. The virgin was Mary. The angel said: "Greetings, you are highly favoured! The Lord is with you - Luke 1:26-28.

...You will conceive and give birth to a son and you are to call him Jesus. (Luke 1:31). 

Now you do not need to go to church or be religious to celebrate Christmas. After all, going to church does not make one a Christian any more than going to a farm makes one a farmer.You can be a free thinker if there is such a thing or an atheist. 

The message and spirit of Christmas is all about love and sacrifice because of love. It is also about grace, mercy, forgiveness, helping the weak and the poor, kindness and wisdom. Sound the bugle! And consider all these things.

King Herod summoned the Magi when he heard about a "King" to be born", a ruler. Herod called the Magi (who are like astrologers) and said: "Go and search carefully for this child so that I can go and worship him". When the Magi found the child they were overjoyed. They presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They then had a dream and were warned not to go back to Herod and they took another route and returned. Ah, the three wise man.

When Herod realised what the Magi had done, he was furious. He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem after which there were weeping and great mourning. When someone felt threatened that he might lose his power this was what would happen.



Wisdom

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better return than gold. She is more precious than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Those who hold her fast will be blessed - Proverbs 3: 13-18.

Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord and humility comes before honour - Proverbs 15:33.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction - Proverbs 1:7.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse - Romans 1:20. Listen to One Thing by Hillsong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D98xY7FqCkM (highlight link, right click and go to).

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart - Jeremiah 29:13.

Give - give some money, give your time, give a listening ear. Even the poor and the weak have their stories. Share......

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse - Romans 1:20.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart - Jeremiah 29:13. Here is Paul Wilbur with "For Your Name Is Holy".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6FE8d05vpE

This Christmas, go out and say "Well done!" to people and you can never imagine how good people will feel and respond to you. Give each a bear hug but if you are a man and the other is a woman, keep your hands to yourself.

Have a beary Merry Christmas.

Glorified - Parachute Band:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw6dgdvqf2c

Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the messiah, the saviour and is God. He died so we could live. His blood was shed so that we can be cleansed. His was the greatest leadership by example. His was servant leadership. He even washed the feet of his disciple. He came as man to die and conquer death. 

 The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves - Helen Keller.

Listen to this flash mob. So lovely. One day we should try it at a hawker centre. The aunty may scold you "seow ah!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Vnt7euRF5Pg&vq=medium

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! May God bless you and your family with good health, great peace, abundant happiness, unspeakable joy and overflowing love. I also pray that you will show and receive kindness and wisdom.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Here is Delirious with Majesty (Here I AM)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNGdcq0pAuU