Pastoral Letters

Preparing for a Meaningful Christmas

December 4, 2016 Author:Rev (Dr) Andrew Tan
Christmas is joyous occasion.  You can hear beautiful Christmas carols in the shopping centres.  Many also buy so as to give gifts.  The weather also become cooler.  But these things do not make Christmas a happy occasion.  Bad things do not become better just because there is nice music, or someone gives you a present, or the weather is less warm.  The reason why Christmas is truly a joyous occasion is because there is hope, the sure hope of eternal life.  On Christmas Day, Jesus, the Son of God, who is the Second Person of the Truine God was born.  He was born so that He can die.  He died for us so that our sins can be forgiven by God.  Then God will give us eternal life.  His death brought us life, eternal life.  This then is the reason for joy.  When a person willingly turns away from sin and receives Jesus as Saviour, that person will become God’s child (John 1:12).  He receives eternal life.  The most troubling and greatest problem of humankind is forever removed: death and eternal death in hell is removed forever.  Also, Jesus promises to be guide, strengthen, and protect us in this world and forever.  This is real joy because this joy is eternal. 

As Christmas approaches, I urge you to once again thank God for giving you eternal life.  But do not stop at yourself.  Do something for others—help them receive this precious gift of eternal life.  There is no better gift than the gift that solves the problem of death.  Who are the people whom you love and are still not Christians?  Can you bear to see them go to hell?  Can you bear to see them live life in fear of death and the future, without real comfort and joy that comes from God?  How can you be so heartless!  You must not be selfish.  Do something this Christmas for people who are heading towards hell.  Save them.  Don’t let them just perish in hell.  There are several things you can do.

There will be Christmas carolling on 23rd December, 2016, Friday night.  First, I urge some of you to open up your homes.  Start praying and invite your friends and relatives to your house.  Also, the whole church must do the same: invite your friends to these homes.  Everyone should make an effort to invite someone.   Second, we will divide the church into two carolling teams.  We need guitarists and voices.  On that night, we will sing Christmas carols.  There will also be a Power Point presentation.  Then a speaker will preach the gospel.  Everyone must do something for the Lord this Christmas.  Then Christmas will be a meaningful one because we are truly giving out gifts, the most precious gift that everyone needs—the gift of eternal life.

I also urge you to get some gospel tracts from the reception table.  You may not know how to share the gospel.  But everyone can give out a gospel tract.  These tracts talk about various aspects: heaven and hell, a meaningful life, love and joy, and others.  Take a few.  Give them out.

Christmas falls on 25th December 2016 and it happens to be a Sunday.  There will be a gospel and Christmas message.  We will also hold a buffet lunch after worship service.  Invite your friends and relatives.  We will celebrate Christmas with joy and food.  Above all, let them hear the precious message of Jesus who can save them from hell and give them eternal life.  Do something.  Give others eternal life.  Give them Jesus this Christmas.  Then your Christmas will be a truly meaningful one.