What is Christmas to You?

Every once a year, the whole world is caught up with the festive mood. It’s a joyous occasion to be merry!

As a child, living together with my cousins, we had a Christmas party every year with our neighbours’ kids. We were poor, and the gifts were simple and cheap. Yet, we enjoyed and loved Christmas. Although none of us (including neighbours) were Christians, we still sing: Joy to the World, the Lord is come! The question then, is Jesus Christ really LORD of the world? To be more direct: Is Jesus Christ your LORD? (on further reflection, many of us, including our cousins are now Christians, not sure about the neighbours whom we have long lost touch).

The world is not celebrating because we have found new life through the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rather, the last two week of December is a festive season passed down traditionally many centuries even before Christ came into this world. You may not be aware of this. But you may probably reason like this, as some of my non-Christian friend do: If only Muslims celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed and only Buddhists celebrate the birth of Buddha, why then do non-Christian celebrate the birth of Christ?

Jesus Christ was not born on December 25th AD1. It is likely that the Lord Jesus Christ was born sometime in the Summer-Autumn of 4BC. Luke 2:8 tell us that shepherds are still out in the field at night, which is unlikely in winter. We who have stayed in the northern hemisphere for a couple of years would know that grass start to grow in early spring and last till late autumn. In winter, the whole field is bare and hibernating, unlikely for animals to graze upon.

The Origin of Christmas

The date of December 25th probably originated with the ancient "birthday" of the son-god, Mithra, a pagan deity whose religious influence became widespread in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries A.D. Mithra was related to the Semitic sun-god, Shamash, and his worship spread throughout Asia to Europe where he was called Deus Sol Invictus Mithras. Rome was well-known for absorbing the pagan religions and rituals of its widespread empire. As such, Rome converted this pagan legacy to a celebration of the god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god during the winter solstice period. The winter holiday became known as Saturnalia and began the week prior to December 25th. The festival was characterized by gift-giving, feasting, singing and downright debauchery, as the priests of Saturn carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession throughout the Roman temples. Variations of this pagan holiday flourished throughout the first few centuries after Jesus Christ, but it probably wasn't until 336 AD that Emperor Constantine (who became a Christian a few years earlier) officially converted this pagan tradition into the "Christian" holiday of Christmas under the church leadership of Pope Julius I

If you move further back in time, the Roman actually adopts it from the Egyptians, one of the earliest civilizations, in about 3000BC. They believe that their dead King-god Osiris was reborn every 25 Dec as the Son, Horus of his wife, Isis. Hence, the mother-child is the chief object of this worship. (sound very much like the Catholic – Mary and Jesus).

Hence, the celebration and feasting on 25 Dec existed long, long ago.

My response to Christmas

The early Apostles never celebrated Christmas. There is no command to observe Christ’s birthday. Some Christians who are aware of the origin of Christmas see the celebration of Christmas as a compromised of our faith to paganism. True Christianity never mixes with pagan worship.

Now that I have told you the truth of Christmas, you are caught in the dilemma. You love the festive mood and the fun and here I am the kill-joy.

No, I am no killjoy. First, I need to ask: What is my motive of celebrating Christmas? Next, how then should I celebrate Christmas?

My childhood Christmas experiences do prepare me for the Good News. So I am not going tell you stop celebrating Christmas. Done in the right way, it creates opportunity for sharing Christ’s love. But, we should not tell somebody that Jesus Christ was born on 25th December. However, I would say that we celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Christ into this world so that those who believe in HIM will be in heaven after they die. (I will avoid Christian jargon like eternal life when talking to non-Christian). It is also a time to spread Christian love and the Gospel. However, I will definitely avoid the partying and merry-making. I don’t usually exchange gift and normally skip that. The gift in Christmas is the gift of Jesus. (John 3:16)

Have a Blessed Christmas!!

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. (John 1:10)

Mark Lim

Epistle to Bethany PC

Mark Lim, follower of Jesus Christ the Son of God who richly meets our needs according to His glory and praise to His name.

To all the faithful saints of Bethany PC and those who serve as leaders and teachers because of their commitment to their calling.

Grace and peace to you from God our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

I thank my God every time I pray for all of you, how you volunteer yourself as worship leaders and serving as BSG leaders in spite of the lack of zeal the church display. Always rejoicing that your perseverance is being tried and yet standing firm as you labour for Him. This is my prayer, that in whatever you do, that your love for God and His people be seen by all, setting an example for others to follow, to the glory of God.

I want to remind you, brothers and sisters-in-Christ that no one should be put in leadership or as teachers until he has been found to be faithful in the studying of God’s Word, spiritual mature in bearing the fruit of the Spirit, regular in worship services and being found worthy to serve by the members of the church. Those who lead and teach has a great responsibility and accountability and so should set an example to the flock. Do not be hasty in appointing leaders even though there is a great shortage of able people. The pastor, elder and deacons have the responsibility of raising up leaders just as our Lord Jesus Christ who though ministered to the people by healing the sick, raising the dead, teaching the crowd and feeding those who are hungry yet took considerable effort to nurture and train 12 disciples who would later be the pillar of the church. The pastor must likewise, follows the footstep of our Lord Jesus Christ and concentrate on mentoring a few disciples in addition to delivery of his weekly sermons. If he do this, in 3 and half years, the church would have produce many more able “Peter, James and John” just like our Lord Jesus Christ did. Of course, there would be some “Judas Iscariot” along the mentoring process but if we don’t sow, we would not reap. He who does not sow bountifully to produce worship leaders, youth leaders, BSG leaders and teachers so shall not reap bountifully.

Leaders must understand that church growth does not depend on making 3 years or 5 years plan. Neither does it depend on how big nor many facilities the church has. You plant, I water, but actually it is God who gives the growth and increase the number and faith of His people. Like the apostles during the time of the early church who concentrate on prayer and teaching, do not neglect the coming together regularly to pray and seek the Holy Spirit, who is the giver of all spiritual gifts and power for the growth of the church to the glory of God the Father through the blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen. We have only one head who is Christ, the head of the church. Pastors, elders, deacons and ministry leaders are but servants who must tend the flocks that are in their charge, not by constraint, but willing, not as domineering but being example to the flock in love, in faith, in purity and in unity. In your zeal and pursuit of spiritual and charismatic gifts, do not neglect the teaching of the giver, the Holy Spirit and over emphasize the gifts. In any dispute among leaders, be tender, kind-hearted and forbearing one another in love.

I commend to you our brother Peter Soh, who for the love of the Lord, give all his time and energy, making many sacrifices to the service of the Sarah Active Centre. Honor such people and learn from their example. Greet Judy and Janice who in their quiet way serve the elderly. The Lord knows your deeds. Greet those who also volunteer occasionally and work very hard at the centre also. The Lord knows where your hearts are. Greet all the saints in the production team for the evangelistic film – Ransom. May all your labour bear forth fruits that will last for eternity in God’s own timing. Greet the church visitation team who always refresh others with their presence. Our brother, Isaac will be going to Yunnan soon. May what he has planned to do encourage others to follow in his footsteps.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you all.

Epistle to Bethany PC – the introduction

If there is a church call Bethany PC during the first century, how would an Epistle to Bethany PC read like?

For the past 3 weeks I have been studying and comparing many of the Epistles in the Bible, in particular the Epistles written by Apostle Paul. It is interesting to learn his style of writing. Each of us has a way of writing our thoughts. I am sure you are quite familiar with my style after reading this blog for some time. Many of his letters deal with church problems – false teaching, money problems, leaders quarreling, immorality, and sometimes his leadership is been questioned. Problem doesn’t mean dead church. The issue is how you deal with problems in the church and grow stronger as you solve them. Problems and tensions are part of church growth. It stretches the church.

2 things you need to know before you attempt to write an Epistle. First, you need to know letter structure in Ancient time. Second, you have something to write. Maybe it is an encouragement or information to share, but mostly Christian advices on how to deal with problems.

Let’s start with Ancient letter structure. It looks something like this:

1. Name of writer (e.g. Paul)
2. Name of recipient (e.g. to the church of Rome, to Titus)
3. Greeting (e.g. grace and peace to you from God our Father)
4. Prayer wish or thanksgiving (e.g. I always thank God for you …)
5. Body
6. Final greeting and farewell (e.g. the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you)

Next, are you aware of Bethany PC problems? How would you response to these problems?

There are a few that I can think of. We have a shortage of leaders. We need worship leaders, BSG leaders, committee members, Sunday school teachers, Youth leaders. How do you encourage people to grow up spiritually and take the lead? Also, there are some leaders for no apparent reasons just vanish, never to be seen in church. Then, there is this tension with money issues. The church building is going through many changes. It starts with church extension and building of more rooms. Then, it is church renovation. Soon it will be church upgrading, then more facilities, more music instruments, more IT gadgets, more this, more that and it is going to be never ending. But not more people. In fact we see some 40 to 60 people leaving the Chinese congregation. Also, you may have your view about different form of church worship. Some prefer the reform way, which the English service is following. Others think being Charismatic is more spiritual and will attract more people to the church. How would you give Christian counsel in your epistle?

Do you have some advice for Bethany PC that you want to add in your epistle? Maybe, you can advice the church to have more faith in God, since we are studying the Book of Hebrews. Remember a few years back we see pamphlets written in Chinese all over church claiming that the church will have 1000 worshippers by the year 2008? Well, year 2008 is coming to an end and we should have 1000 worshippers. What is your take on this?

For the closing of your epistle, you might like to include greetings to people in the church, especially those who work very hard. Let encourage them. Tell those who talk too much or write too much like Mark Lim to shut up may be another good advice.

Ready to try writing the Epistle to Bethany PC?

I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1Tim 3:14,15)

Mark Lim