As Christmas passes, it is interesting to note once again how well everyone gets into the festive mood. This is of course, great, but not many has stopped to think about the significance of Christmas. How Christmas came about.... Because of the love of God and the willing sacrifice of one to pay for all our wrong.
I love Christmas and all (in case you think I'm a bah-humbug scrooge person!). I love all the Christmas 'customs' as it were.... Xmas lunch, the various Xmas puddings (British Xmas pud, stollen, pannetone....), pressies (of course!), Xmas tree, decorations, Xmas music....
But isn't it sad how commercial Christmas has become? How many have reflected on God's limitless love for us? "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). How encouraging it is to know that despite the countless times we have betrayed God's love throughout history as a human race and in our short lives, God still loves us so much to the extent that he was willing to sacrifice his Son to save us. I doubt many would be able to declare love to this level.
In this day and age, it has always been me me me..... Selflessness is not a common word in one's vocabulary. Even simple things like giving way to others on the road or ensuring that the door doesn't slam on the person behind you, would be basic manners but which many have forgotten. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:48). Shouldn't we come off our own self-made pedestals now and realise that it's not always ourselves to be focused on? It is especially sad when tragedies or disasters occur only for one to immediately focus on how it can benefit himself/herself? I hear of many scams after the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami, 2005 floods or earthquake in Pakistan, where individuals go round to collect money, claiming to be for charity? Or those that went round Thai hospitals after the tsunami to kidnap helpless vulnerable children?
Christmas should be a time of celebration of Jesus's birth. That he was born to save our lives. We should rejoice in this! Instead of rejoicing that we were able to tick off most of the presents received off our 'Wanted' list.
We spent Christmas Day going to Christmas service, where John Stevens preached on Luke 2. John noted that Jesus, despite being King of Kings, was born in a stable (not a castle) and to a virgin. Such humble beginnings and life although He was destined to be our Healer, our Salvation.
We then headed to Ari's and Lin's, where we spent the rest of the day. Lin cooked a yummy yummy Christmas lunch before it was present-opening time! Check out the photos here!
Had Christmas pud and continued eating a little here and there throughout the day. Time to diet in the New Year (we'll see how long that lasts!).
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