Keeping up Christmas-2

27 December 2011 

The real Christmas challenge belongs to Christians. Let us learn  more and try to reciprocate it.  

•          The giving and receiving gifts is a crucial part of the Christmas celebration- (Giving is better than receiving) Christmas is about the Greatest Gift God gave us all- the gift of love.

(Let your love (affection) be pure and not tarnished by filthy things).


All outward show can be a hypocrisy (pretense) in our life.(It is a sin).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in a Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…. . it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Ephesians 2:8-9

· The Christmas tree is fully decorated and placed 
at home. When you look at the beautifully decorated 
tree, think about the tree that was used to get 
us forgiveness and life in this world.

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that 
we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 
“by his wounds you have been healed.”1 Peter 2:24

Have a Christ-filled Christmas and...Keep Close To Jesus

It is not the décor  
but the feel and 
the inner most  pure thought embedded with HIS laws
 that matters the most.

Enjoy with an open mind and heart. 

   MERRY CHRISTMAS

GOD BLESS






















nb: photos from web collections    

Keeping up Christmas-1

26 December 2011 

Christmas Time-silver bells, carols, Christmas trees, colorful lights, Christmas cakes and pudding, new dress, fun, blasts etc. –  all this has to go with the celebration. 


Fine….. Yet a small lingering thought goes off and on……..

There is nothing wrong to keep up with Christmas season, but we (true Christians) want more than  that -- the real joy to cherish and treasure for the entire year, that God has send His only begotten Son to save us. 


Hence we should carry the same spirit 24*7 – 365 days- 12 months Christmas. 

 It means that - wishing, gifting, giving a big smiles, caroling, shopping, partying etc – during Christmas time should not be a show off. 


Christmas has becomes more and more commercialized and exceeded the traditional limits, filled with fun (there is no place or even  a thought for Christ). It has become more complicated to separate the traditions from what it is that we are celebrating. 

"The real Christmas challenge belongs to Christians: how to take Christmas out of the open public domain and move it back to the religious sphere once again."

·         Christmas lights twinkle and glitter on houses, roads and everywhere on trees during this wonderful time of the year. It spells bound people of all ages. Each time you see Christmas lights remember:

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light……The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world…….He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.John 1:4-10

• ·The Christmas songs fill the air throughout the Christmas season.We attend all carol service with joy and sing the songs with enthusiasm. We speak of the angles singing the good news to the shepherds.

Obviously music is an important for us, as a  part of our worship. God has given us a new song to sing and given the talents to praise and worship.

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

“….speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20    ( to be cond……)

Have a Christ-filled Christmas and...Keep Close To Jesus

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GOD BLESS

unto us a child is born,

25 December 2011

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

A Saviour has born to save the mankind and to remove the darkness, and to enlighten the world.

It is the rich gift of God to mankind. God loves His children and to give redemption He gave His only Son JESUS to mankind.

• “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”Acts 4:12
• “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.John 3:16

The Messiah was the gift of the God of love. Man had no claim on him, we have nothing to claim or deny. 
God voluntarily gave his Son to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He was described as-- Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

·         Wonderful --  means superb, magnificent and the whole thing  as a miracle;

• “The LORD is my strength and my defense  he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2;
•  “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”Daniel 12:6.

The above verses  denotes  the unusual and remarkable summation of qualities that distinguished the Messiah.

·         wonderful counselor

It expresses a distinct attribute, or quality, denotes one of honorable rank; one who is suited to stand near princes and kings as their adviser. It is expressive of great wisdom, and of qualifications to guide and direct the human race.

·         The mighty God - is one, is applied to the Messiah.

• “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
•  “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.1 John 5:20;
• 'The name 'mighty God,' is unquestionably attributed to the true God in Isaiah 10:21

·         The everlasting Father -  means 'The man abiding forever. and HE  is the Father of eternity- endless.

• "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:19;
• "They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. Psalm 19:10.

·         Prince of Peace- He is "our peace". Father of peace. none in this whole world can give peace .

• “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14;
• 'For he himself is our peace,…. Ephesians 2:14.

Have a Christ-centered Christmas-


Let the Joy if this season fill your heart and soul with Peace and Love.

 MERRY CHRISTMAS

God Bless

Christmas carols

24 December 2011 

The birth of Jesus Christ is announced by angelic choirs in the heights of heaven. Later the joyous news is repeated afterwards by the shepherds in fields near Bethlehem. Meanwhile, a new born child  is laid in a manger in the inn, among livestock.(since people has hardened heart by denying room in the inn).


 The entire circumstances were unusually humble, meek and filled with serenity. In that occasion the angels’ sang:

 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 
       "Glory to God in the highest, 
      And on earth peace, goodwill toward men”. Luke 2:13-14

Let all Join by singing the carol :

O Come All Ye Faithful

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him,

Born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.

Give to our Father glory in the Highest;

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,

Born this happy morning,

O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GOD BE WITH YOU            

Photos from web collections

Christmas carols

23 DECEMBER 2011

“Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739.

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GOD BLESS

Christmas carols

22 DECEMBER 2011

The text to the Carol O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) and was intended to be a hymn, it is attributed to John Wade, an Englishman. The music to O Come All Ye Faithful was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. 

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GOD BLESS

photos from web collections

Christmas carols

21 DECEMBER 2011

Joy to the World -Christmas Carol

The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748).

Joy to the World is a popular Christmas carol which is based on Psalm 98 in the Bible

Let this Christmas season bring good tidings and joy to you all. Amen.
                                                

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GOD BLESS


photos from web collections

Christmas carols

 20 DECEMBER 2011

Christmas carols  always fills our heart with joy.There is a Christmas carol that proclaims, "While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground; the Angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around." 


This is an account of the announcement of Jesus' birth, as recorded in the Bible, When it happened the shepherds "were all afraid."

“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night” was written by Nahum Tate, an Irishman who served as the poet laureate of England. The carol’s brings the meaning of the angel’s words as  

“Glory to God in the highest heaven",  
  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14.

It states the important matter that the peace given to all mankind that night would “never cease.” Peace That Will Never Cease. 
What kind of peace never ends?

• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
• “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” Romans 5:1-3.
• “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Read the lyrics  “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”, and sing joyfully.

1.    While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.

2.    “Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind;
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.

3.    “To you, in David’s town, this day
Is born of David’s line
A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign:

4.    “The heav’nly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid.”

5.    Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God on high,
Who thus addressed their song:

6.    “All glory be to God on high,
And to the Earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heav’n to men
Begin and never cease!”

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 GOD BLESS

Christmas carols

19 DECEMBER 2011

The author of Angels From the Realms of Glory was an Irishman called James Montgomery. Angels From the Realms of Glory was written in 1816. The music for Angels From the Realms of Glory was composed by Henry Smart.

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 GOD BLESS

photos from web collections