What Christmas Is?

During the American Civil War, it was a custom for every home to hang a big star outside the window, when a soldier-son died at battle.

A little child was out walking with his grandfather one evening. He was curious when he saw such a star.

“Grandpa,” he asked, “why is there a star hanging outside that window?”

“O that,” replied Grandpa. “That means that family has given a son for our country in the war. He died that we may be free.”

They walked silently for a while, the little boy thinking deeply to himself. Suddenly he burst out,

“Grandpa, look! Look!” Pointing to the sky, he shouted, “A big shining star in the sky! GOD MUST HAVE GIVEN HIS SON FOR US!”

Grandpa smiled and nodded his head thoughtfully, “Yes, indeed He has!”

YES, INDEED! GOD DID GIVE US HIS SON. THAT’S WHY THERE IS A CHRISTMAS. LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS IN THE PERSON OF JESUS.

The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was born on Christmas Day to become the Saviour of the world:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in

Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

That’s why Christmas is such a happy occasion. Love always brings joy, peace and happiness. Christmas is meant to be God’s blessing to us.

1. Christmas Means Love

Love is the air we breathe at Christmas time. Christmas reminds us that the holy God loves sinners, and wishes to forgive us all our sins. That’s why He sent His Son Jesus to be our Saviour. Christ came all the way down from heaven to earth to show us how much God loves us:

“ God proves His love towards us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

(Romans 5:8)

2. Christmas Means Hope

Christ came to die on the Cross for our sins so that we may “not perish”. That means we will not be judged for our sins and be subsequently punished in hell. This is grace, which we received because the Lord Jesus died to forgive us. In other words, we may be saved from our sins when we repent and believe in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.

3. Christmas Means Life

The promise is that when we believe in Jesus, we will “have eternal life” (John 3:16). Eternal life is first of all “quality life”. It is divine life. God is eternal and the life He grants us is “eternal life”. This is in contrast to our miserable “human life”, which is sinful, full of misery and unhappiness.

Eternal Life also means being able to live forever with God in Heaven one day. But right here

and now, it means that we can have a relationship with God and enjoying His fellowship. This brings meaning in life, joy and peace, because God is always with us.

Dear Reader, let this Christmas be special to you. Let L-O-V-E come into your heart and life. Invite the Lord Jesus to be the Saviour of your life by repenting of your sins and receiving Him as your Lord and Saviour.

You could pray a prayer of faith, something like this:

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into the world that first Christmas Day to be my Saviour. I believe You are the Son of God and died for my sins on the Cross. Please forgive me all my sins. I accept You by faith into my life as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, Lord Jesus for saving me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

Dr K. B. Tan

‘All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us.” ’

(Matthew 1:22-23)

I survived!!

Just had the youth evangelistic chalet last weekend. Had tonnes of fun and laughters. The attendance was good, about 30 of them turn up. Was quite a hectic week, got to check out on early sunday morning to rush to church, then from church we went to the prison for our caroling. After caroling, we had prata near lower pierce reservoir. After which we went to upper pierce reservoir and had a stroll there. The whole day was full of activities. But Thank God that everything went well. Thank God that I had the chance to talk to Aunty Dolly, whom i met at the chalet. Got a chance to understand her current situation and invited her to our church.

Had a meaningful and interesting talk by Mr Y during this morning's sermon. He talked bout the real basic needs that we need. When we commited a sin or did something bad against someone. We will always seek forgiveness from the someone. But the real forgiveness we need, is God's forgiveness. Every sin we've commited, every wrong we've done, we sin it against God.
God sent down his Son, to rescue us from sin. In response to God's mercy showered on us, may all of us live a life of obedience and faith..

In todays days and time, it's easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. In todays time, people see Christmas as Santa Claus, a jolly fat old man with a white beard and a red suit, who brings gifts to good children on Christmas Eve, about snow, about turkey. The real and true meaning of Christmas is about one special night. One special night, when God sent his Son down to earth. One special night when our savior was born, to rescue us from sins, God's wrath and judgement. One special night..... Matthew 1:18-25

♥ 50 Reasons to Give Thanks ♥

Are you thankful to God? Feel free to post your comments to encourage others. Thanks. :)

Heavenly Father, in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ:

• Thank You so much for waking me up this morning - with mind and heart that know You!
• Thank You so much that You formed me, made me and gave me the breath of life.
• Thank You so much for the air I breathe, the food I eat and the water I drink.
• Thank You so much for family, friends, and loved ones that you have blessed me with.
• Thank You so much for every brother and sister in the great big family of God throughout the whole world. It is such a blessing to get to meet and fellowship with so many of them and to know them by the spirit.
• Thank You so much for making known to me the path of life, filling me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
• Thank You so much that You're my glory and the lifter of my head.
• Thank You so much for removing the spirit of fear and giving me the spirit of power, love and a sound mind.
• Thank You so much for being my refuge and strong tower. I put my hope in You, knowing that through You, I can conquer fear! Help me to live strong, bold, and victorious life for Your glory.
• Thank You so much for Your creation that reminds us that You are God and that there is none like You.
• Thank You so much for Your precious promise: "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
• Thank You so much for being faithful to Your Word.
• Thank You so much for giving Your life, suffering that I could know you.
• Thank You so much for granting me abundance of grace to walk with You today as a Christlike overcomer, reigning in life.
• Thank You so much that in Your presence there is wholeness.
• Thank You so much for teaching me wonderful things from Your Word.
• Thank You so much that You know every doubt, fear, and care I have.. for You are the Lord who cares for me
• Thank You so much for choosing to adopt me, through Jesus Christ, before the creation of the world.
• Thank You for the privilege of calling You my Abba, Daddy.
• Thank You so much for Your unbroken covenant ratified by Your Blood that I have Christ the hope of glory abiding within me with unlimited anointing so that everywhere I go people are healed, delivered and saved because of the fullness of Christ, the anointing that is in me, and upon me.
• Thank You so much for reminding me that You are the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, my Father who loves me, and my Shepherd who leads me.
• Thank You so much for being my Redeemer, my wisdom, my counselor, my hope, and my strength.
• Thank You so much for surrounding me with Your favour as with a shield.
• Thank You so much for Your exceedingly abundant grace, which is sufficient for each new day!
• Thank You so much for Your unfailing love, abundant joy and perfect shalom.
• Thank You so much for loving me when I fail You.
• Thank You so much for making me a new creation in Christ.
• Thank You so much for always meeting my needs according to Your riches in glory through Jesus Christ.
• Thank You so much for showing me the truth about Yourself.
• Thank You so much for the assurance that my troubles are not greater than my Helper, and that my sins are not greater than Jesus, my Saviour
• Thank You so much for helping me to find my rest in knowing you- to find my peace, trusting in your promise to finish the good work you have begun in me.
• Thank You so much for helping those who do not know how to help themselves.
• Thank You so much for listening and answering all my prayers.
• Thank You so much that as I bring all my heartaches to You, and trust You to fight my battles, You will work everything out for my good and Your glory!
• Thank You so much for Your perfect work in me, to keep me free from comparing myself with others, and faultfinding, so that I can walk with You in love.
• Thank You so much for being with me, especially in the blindness of my frustration, and for calling me to turn aside from the dust storm of my own understanding, to lay my burdens down at Your feet.
• Thank You so much for Your kindness toward me and Your covenant of shalom peace.
• Thank You so much for helping me to get to know You more and more, so that my relationship with You can produce the aroma of Christ in and through me, in all that I do.
• Thank You so much that through Christ I am already more than a conqueror right in the midst of my present impossibilities.
• Thank You so much for blessing and honoring me with Jesus, who sacrificed His life for me.
• Thank You so much for the gifts, talents and resources you have entrusted to me.
• Thank You so much for giving me spiritual weapons such as truth and the authority of Christ to bring my thoughts into obedience to You.
• Thank You so much that You are God and that You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You.
• Thank You so much for having faith in me, that I am a new creation in Christ.
• Thank You so much for sending the Holy Spirit to guarantee all that I inherit with Jesus in Your kingdom.
• Thank You so much for giving me the wonderful privilege of being a temple of Your Spirit.
• Thank You so much for leading me in living for You and teaching me how to cultivate a lifestyle of praise and worship.
• Thank You so much for blessing me with divine health.
• Thank You so much for filling me afresh with the Holy Spirit and empowering me to live for righteousness, faith, love and peace.
• Above all, Thank You so much for the precious blood of Jesus that brings forgiveness and cleansing from my sins. Thank You so much for redeeming me from the curse of the law and giving me eternal life.

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

I'm BACK!!

Ok! It's been a while since I have the time to blog. Took leave for today and tomorrow, really need a good time to rest. Haven't been sleeping much the past 2 days, cos I can't miss out my champions league actions. Happy for my Liverpool and Arsenal to go through the 1st qualifying stage. But poor Man U, kick of out Champions League and also no chance for Uefa Cup. What a sad story, first time in 10 yrs they are not in the last 16. A way to console themselves, ppl are saying now they can concentrate better on the league and domestically.

Finally! Many things to look forward to. 2006 is getting nearer. Christmas is getting nearer. Youth evangelistic chalet and prison carolling is also getting nearer. Spent quite alot of shopping recently, shopped for clothes and stuffs. Thought of getting a notebook also. haha $$$$$$

Well, I'm not a guy who enjoying reading. But surprisingly I have just finished read a book given to me for bdae. The title of the book is "A Fresh Start", by John Chapman, a Australian pastor. Find this part of the book pretty interesting and would like to share it with all. In this part of the book, the writer talks about "Will God have us back?" It begins with this story:

2 boys ran away from home. One was 10 years old and the other only 7. They had had a disagreement with their father and they decided to run away. They hid in a cave near a river at the back of their hoome and stayed there until it grew dark. They then decided to go back home, having taught their father a big enough lesson. When he saw them coming around the corner of the house, the father swept them in his arms and said, "Hello, you 2. Great to have you back home again. I thought you'd left, but I'm so glad you haven't. Come and have some tea."

The question is: suppose we do come back to God and truly repent. We confess that we have rebelled against him and we declare our intention to try to live under Jesus' Lordship. Will God forgive us? Will He have us back? God answer is: "Because my Son, Jesus Christ, has died for you, I wil forgive you and take you back as a true friend. (John 1: 7,9, Romans 5: 1,2) Both repentance and faith are gifts which come from God. The life and work of Jesus is so completely acceptable to God, you and I can be completely acceptable also. It is as if when we turned to the Lord Jesus in repentance and faith, we were given 2 certificates. On the first one it reads: "This is to certify that the bearer has lived a perfect life". On the other it says: " This is to certify that the bearer has paid the full penalty of all sins". Isn't it such a good news that through Jesus' work on earth, all of us can be sinless and holy before God, to be reconciled with God. So in response, I urge all believers to obey God and live a life of obedience and faith. Stop sinning and repent. Amen.