Merry Christmas and this is what Christmas is about....

Image via WikipediaIt is heart warming to read this on the morning of Christmas Day.

The headline : More volunteers helping out in charities this year 


More Singapreans are coming forward to give their time to help others. Charities across the island are seeing more volunteers helping to organise Christmas celebrations........


........Daryl Kang, team leader, said: "I find this event kind of meaningful. We actually help out needy families from Sunlove homes, and also we believe that the people who (let us) wash their cars ... are happy.".....


Read the entire report HERE.


Let's hope that the true spirit and message of Christmas is communicated to the young. I.E. the message of Peace, Hope and Love. Not shopping and partying.....


Just like Christ came to save and serve the needy and marginalised, may we also learn to serve those who are in need among us.


Merry Christmas!

Epiphany Of The Lord

Image via WikipediaThis week, we celebrate the Epiphany Of The Lord and the readings are as follows:
[Isaiah 60: 1-6] [Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6] [Matthew 2: 1-12]

What is the Epiphany Of The Lord?

Originally it was the Christmas feast of the Eastern part of the Christian Church. In the Western part the stress of Christmas was and is on the birth of Christ as the little human child.

In the Eastern part the stress is more on Jesus coming as the Lord and Saviour of all. This is the reality the liturgy stresses today: Jesus came to save and bring life to all. No one is excluded, no one is a stranger to him. May all come to know Jesus, alive here among us.

In the readings today, we see how the Magi (probably from Persia) followed the stars and found baby Jesus whom they came to pay their homage. There is a very important significance in this as the Magi are gentiles. This really means that God’s salvation plan is for all and no one is excluded which remind me of Jn 3:16 which so many of my protestants friends loved to quote. God indeed send His only Son to save the world and not only Christians.

God has given us Jesus Christ as the Gift who brings light to our dark world Jesus is born for us – He brings the joy, peace and hope to the world that needs them so badly.

How about us? Are we a light to our family members, relatives and friends?

By being a loving, gentle and kind person to our family members, relatives and friends we too can bring joy, peace and hope to them.

Another aspect to note is that in celebration of the Eucharist that we remember that Jesus offered the Gift of Himself to God. He is offered for our salvation. Thus by following the teachings of Jesus, we can also offer ourselves as near perfect gifts to God our Father.

Ang Kim Huat celebrating Christmas

Image via WikipediaWhile we are partying and feasting to usher in Christmas, Mr Ang Kim Huat is spending his time in Little India.

Spending Christmas in Little India?

Yes, Mr Ang Kim Huat is spending Christmas in Little India, providing meals for the homeless and unemployed migrants. Read the story here.

A fine example of what Jesus teaches us to do - love and charity - to love our neighbour like ourself.

It is heart warming to know that God is present among us and that the poor and needy are not forgotten during the celebration of His birthday.

Let's pray that more people will reflect and learn the true meaning of Christmas and understanding what it means to received the priceless gift from God. That is the sacrifices of His only Son to give us eternal life.

Let's pray that more people will understand what is really means to be a Christian and true disciple of Christ i.e. to spread the good news by loving each other, caring with love and charity regardless of language, race and religion.

In the midst of our celebration, let's not forget about the poor and needy and know that God command us to help them out. What better way to spread the good news to these people by showing that the God is here to love and care for them through our actions?

God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Image by Nicolai Kjærgaard via FlickrA Merry Christmas to all the readers of this blog.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the articles and do give me suggestions.

I apologized that for moderating the blog due to anti-Christ messages which contains only curse and swear that is spamming this blog by a certain cult member.

But I still welcome all comments even those with different views and doctrines and hope that 2009 will bring some interesting discussions.

On this ocassion of Christmas, I wish you and your family good health and God Bless You All.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

What is Christmas?

Image by Rio Calle via FlickrIt is that time of the year again when we are all busy preparing to celebrate Christmas. What really is Christmas to you?

In today’s world, Christmas has become very much a public holiday, a time to get away, a time to party and a time to splurge on oneself after a year of hard work.

This is what the Archbishop Chia called “consumerism” mindset. The true meaning behind Christmas is lost even to us Christians.

Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ and to bring the good news to our neighbour. The good news about our salvation and love of God with the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord.

As the Archbishop said: “There is no Christmas without Christ and so Christ must be the center of our celebrations. This means that our celebration of Christmas must be a celebration of love: “God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son.”

And he continued to said: “let us prepare to celebrate Christmas in the proper way. Make Christ the center of our celebration. Share Him with others by reaching out in love especially to those in need. In doing this, Christmas will truly be CHRIST-mas for us.”

So as Christians, are we ready to go and reach out to our neighbours and share Christ with them? And if you are looking for excuses such as I don’t know how, here is an article that will give you some ideas….click here to read.