https://odb.org/2023/12/21/the-light-of-hope
I recall that as a family, we used to celebrate Christmas even when we were yet true believers. We had always identified ourselves as Christians even though we knew very little of the faith then. So we will set up the Christmas tree, my father will buy and wrap up presents and my mum will cook us a few nice dishes. Since it was the year-end school holidays and my dad was a teacher, it was a time to chill and relax before the new school year began a week later. We spend the Christmas season listening to Christmas songs on the home stereo set and catching a few Christmas programs on TV. I think we celebrated Christmas with more intensity than Chinese New Year, although for the latter, we were usually at my parents’ hometown amongst my grandparents, uncles, aunties, and cousins and thus there was an air of festivities with firecrackers, ang pows, some siew yoke and other delicacies, and mahjong among the adults.
Time has moved on, and some experiences of the past remained just as memories, distant ones. These memories could not be recreated anymore in the present as my parents are no longer here with us.
In our life journey, my parents later discovered Christ by the grace of God and became Christians, born-again believers, having accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Christmas then became more centred around the church and its Christmas programmes.
But with Christ in our lives, it also means that as a family, we have the hope that one day we will all be reunited in heaven, with my parents and my own children one day. We have that hope that we will live in the new heaven and earth where there will no longer be tears, disease, suffering, or evil. Every living thing, whether man, beast, or even the environment, will live in perfect harmony with one another.
Cling on to the hope Christ has given us. Past Christmas memories may remain as distant memories, but they will be recreated one day. In the meantime, let’s create new and fresh Christmas memories in Christ Jesus as we journey with Him and dwell in the House of the Lord in the days to come!
Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas, everyone!
Ronnie's Thoughts 