meditations on Christmas eve... peace on earth...
Wednesday, 24. December 2008, 16:39:15
Christmas 2009 is really different.
for a professional christian like me... full time working with christian organisation doing things that most of friends do as a volunteers, Christmas has always been a really busy period.
even if i am not too tied up at work with all the Christmas service, programs or anything else like most of my other christian workers/pastors/missionaries/youth workers/children workers/lay ministry staff, i will be busy trying to buy gifts, write cards or at least pretend to be busy at work.
this year, i am not obligated to be in church on Christmas day nor the eve.
i am no longer employed by a church and i can now choose which church to attend and which service. no more making sure the sound is OK, the worship leader is theologically sound...
but strangely i enjoyed the service tonight at my friend's bilingual church service.
it was not the most technically or theologically perfect but there was something in those familiar hymns in Chinese. it evoke that tingling feeling of 'warm' and 'purpose' for Christmas.
birthday of Jesus was one of the greatest day of mankind apart from Easter. imagine someone who has everything; super abilities, heir of the world, giver of life, not just live forever but as the King....
yet gave up all these to live the limited life of mortal who will experience pain, sadness, humiliation and ultimately death.
but it is his very act of sacrifice is the reason for this holiday and all the celebrations that comes along with.
we need to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.
for a professional christian like me... full time working with christian organisation doing things that most of friends do as a volunteers, Christmas has always been a really busy period.
even if i am not too tied up at work with all the Christmas service, programs or anything else like most of my other christian workers/pastors/missionaries/youth workers/children workers/lay ministry staff, i will be busy trying to buy gifts, write cards or at least pretend to be busy at work.
this year, i am not obligated to be in church on Christmas day nor the eve.
i am no longer employed by a church and i can now choose which church to attend and which service. no more making sure the sound is OK, the worship leader is theologically sound...
but strangely i enjoyed the service tonight at my friend's bilingual church service.
it was not the most technically or theologically perfect but there was something in those familiar hymns in Chinese. it evoke that tingling feeling of 'warm' and 'purpose' for Christmas.
birthday of Jesus was one of the greatest day of mankind apart from Easter. imagine someone who has everything; super abilities, heir of the world, giver of life, not just live forever but as the King....
yet gave up all these to live the limited life of mortal who will experience pain, sadness, humiliation and ultimately death.
but it is his very act of sacrifice is the reason for this holiday and all the celebrations that comes along with.
we need to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.
WIDGETIZE