Christmas Comes to the Heartlands
November 11, 2008
Long time ago in the little town of Bethlehem, Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ was born.
That was the first Christmas day. Many Christmases later, why do we still celebrate?
Christmas stories are often told with the sense of awe and wonder, especially from the gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke, of the visits by the wise men from the east, of angels appearing to shepherds in fields near Bethlehem and of the prophets Simeon and Anna praying in the Temple.
I like the narratives of the angels suddenly appearing and proclaiming to the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. These green pastures could have been the same fields where the shepherd boy David composed his boyhood songs and pactised his sling shots as he watched over his father’s flock.
The songs of the shepherd David would later become more poetic and beautiful to be incoporated into the national hymn book while the sling and stone would make the boy soldier famous as he confronted and killed the giant Goliath. The shepherd boy David would later become king. In the fields that first Christmas eve, the shepherds lay in the shadows of the trees, near their sheep, keeping watch and perhaps remembering the stories of King David, oblivious that another historic event more dramatic would unfold. Another Davidic king was coming and indeed has arrived.
Suddenly, a host of angels appeared and filled up the entire night sky above the plains and pastures of Bethlehem. A message rang out. The message which heralded Christmas proclaimed by the angels was targeted at the shepherds, announcing “Peace on earth” for a Saviour had just been born on Christmas day.
That the message was announced to the obscure and unknown shepherds outside the town of Bethlehem emphasized the importance and significance of the gospel, the Good News that the Saviour was born for everyone, especially the common man in the world, the simple folks which make up the masses of the world.
The first angelic choir sang to the common folks, the smelly shepherds who slept in the outdoor, who lived harsh lives in the wild, exposed to the elements of nature, beckoning them to the joyous strains of “Glory to God in the highest” because the Creator God has done a great and marvelous thing.
The Creator God has done another creative thing. God has just activated a significant and historic event, where the Eternal became incarnate in Time, the Infinite became the finite, to alter forever the course of history. Christmas is that significant and historic event which changed the destiny of man, from despair to hope, from death to salvation. Hence we celebrate with great joy, even two thousand years later.
Christmas is not for the apparently rich and famous per se, the powerful, cultured and sophisticated. Christmas is for everyone, especially the poor and powerless, the despairing and despondent, the plain and simple folks of the heartlands.
When the poor shepherds heard the news of the birth of the Christ child, they went in search and after having found their Saviour, went forth to celebrate and proclaim, and gladly shared the good news with everyone else. Life was never the same again. Great joy filled hearts which nothing can take away.
May the joy of Christmas fill our hearts once again, regardless of the circumstances in our lives. May Christmas reminds us that history is always filled with the failures and flaws of mankind, the fury of the heat of the day and the terror that strike by night. Yet Christmas assures us that hope is near and peace is here with us to dwell, because of Emmanuel, because God is here with us.
Have a Peaceful Christmas… because God’s Shalom, the Prince of Peace is with us…forever.
GREEN DESERT CHILDREN’S CLUB PROGRAMMES NOV/DEC 08
November 5, 2008
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS for youths in the heartlands at bedok reservoir
November 1, 2008
The days of my youth were the best days of my life…
Friendship.Adventure.Discovery.Service.Challenges.Trials.Triumphs.Growth.
You can live your teenage years to the fullest too!
But you must first get off your butt… Make things HAPPEN!
Join the ASIAN JOURNEYS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPSs & begin your journey.
Youth Development Workshops will be held at
ASIAN JOURNEYS@RESERVOIR VILLAGE
blk 743, bedok reservoir road #02-3081
1. know your personality traits: solving the people puzzle
2-hour wksp. Tue 3-5pm. $40. available any tuesay afternoon in nov, dec 08
Sunzi said that for successful endeavours, you must first know yourself & know others.
understand your strengths and weaknesses. learn to relate better. win friends, influence people.
2. self-discovery day workshops: dare to dream
2-day. thu-fri 20-21 nov/18-19 dec. 9am-5pm. $80.
Libai said we are born for a purpose. discover your traits & talents. dare to dream.
learn to know YOURSELF BETTER through self-discovery in groups. develop self-confidence for living.
3. self-development workshops: dare to be different
2-day. thu-fri. 6-7 nov/4-5 dec. 9am-5pm. $80.
Laozi said the journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step.
life is precious. live with passion. set goals for success. step out. make a difference.
4. speaking skills workshops: speak up. speak well.
4 weekly sessions. wed 3-5pm. 5,12,19,26 nov/3,10,17,24 dec. $80.
King Solomon said that our words can be like apples of gold in settings of silver.
learn to speak up, speak well and enjoy sharing stories & ideas with friends in public.
have a headstart. develop self-confidence and leadership skills as a youth.
Invest in yourself this year end. Discover yourself. Develop yourself. Have FUN !
For more information or to register, please email info@asianjourneys.org with your name, contact tel nos and email add or call 96474904.
Address: blk 743, reservoir village, bedok reservoir road #02-3081 singapore 470743.
Asian Journeys is a social enterprise dedicated to asian cultural research, environmental stewardship and youth development programmes. Asian Journeys’ programmes have been supported by groups from schools, polytechnics, universities and churches. Our programme partners in the past include organizations such as YMCA of Singapore, Y’s Men Club (Alpha Chapter), Asian Civilisations Museum, National Library Board, Singapore International Foundation, National Youth Council. We organise community service programmes locally as well as overseas in Thailand, China and Indonesia. We welcome partners and volunteers (youths and adults) to join us in reaching youths in the heartlands of Bedok, Singapore and Asia.