When is Christmas?

How do we show joy at Christmas? We decorate our homes. We wrap gifts. We sing carols and light candles. But Christmas — real Christmas — doesn’t begin with glitter or gatherings. It begins with a whisper in the soul.

A popular carol goes- 

🎄 “Christmas isn’t Christmas till it happens in your heart.”

So: It’s not a date. It’s a divine encounter which begets JOY. 

In Luke 2, the angels didn’t announce a holiday. They announced a Savior:

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

The shepherds didn’t just hear the news — they responded. They left their fields and found the manger. And when they saw Him, they were changed.

It’s not just a season. It’s a surrender. Not just a celebration. It’s a transformation.

The first Christmas wasn’t wrapped in tinsel or tradition. It was wrapped in humility — a manger, a young couple, a quiet town. And yet, it changed everything.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:11

The angels didn’t announce a holiday. They announced hope.

The shepherds didn’t attend a service. They responded to a call.

And Mary didn’t just carry a child. She carried a promise — one that would unfold in every heart willing to receive it.

When Christmas happens in your heart, it’s not about what’s under the tree. It’s about what’s growing inside you: Peace that passes understanding

• Joy that isn’t shaken by circumstance
• Love that reaches beyond boundaries
• Grace that rewrites your story

It’s the moment Christ moves from being a name we sing about to a Savior we walk with. 

It’s when the manger becomes more than a symbol — it becomes a starting point.

This Christmas, don’t just decorate your home.

Prepare your heart.

Don’t just attend the service. Enter the story.

Don’t just give gifts. Receive the greatest one.

Let Christ be born in you — not just once a year, but every day you choose to make room for Him.

The Flight from God

                           

​“I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years;

I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways

Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears

I hid from Him, and under running laughter.”

— Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven

Francis Thompson’s masterful poem, "The Hound of Heaven," is the ultimate literary expression of humanity's flight from God. The speaker runs ceaselessly from the divine presence—fleeing through time, through their own complex thoughts, and into fleeting worldly pleasures like ambition, love, and childhood innocence.

​He attempts to find happiness and safety everywhere except in the arms of the Pursuer. But no matter where he turns, he hears the relentless, echoing footsteps and the calm, insistent voice of the Divine Lover, a voice that calls out the heartbreaking truth: "All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."

​This desperate flight and the subsequent emptiness are the necessary prerequisites for understanding the depth of God's love, the love that is not content to let us be miserable in our self-made freedom.

​The Waiting Pursuit

​This is where the ancient wisdom of Isaiah 30:18 provides the beautiful answer to the poem's tension - "And therefore will Jehovah wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for Jehovah is a God of justice; blessed are all they that wait for him".

​The people of Judah, like the poem’s speaker, were running away—fleeing God's counsel and seeking help from Egypt instead of resting in His strength. They were choosing the labyrinthine ways of their own minds over the quietness and confidence God offered (Isaiah 30:15).

​But then comes the astonishing reversal: “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.”

​The "Hound of Heaven" is not a furious hunter, but a Patient Parent. The chasing is not done in anger, but in longing. The text says the Lord waits to be gracious.

• ​He waits for our self-reliance to crumble.

• ​He waits for the finite pleasures we pursue to turn to dust in our hands.

• ​He waits for us to exhaust our flight down the "nights and down the days."

​The moment we stop running, we don't find a condemning Judge; we find a compassionate Father who has been longing for us to turn around.

​The Peace in Surrender

​The verse concludes, “blessed are all who wait for him!”

​To "wait" for the Lord here means more than simply being patient; it means to stop running and to confidently rely on Him and Him alone. It is the moment the exhausted runner in the poem finally collapses, only to realize the pursuing footsteps halt right beside him, and the voice speaks a promise of final peace.

​The persistent love of the Hound of Heaven is not designed to terrify us, but to drive us to the only place where true rest exists: His presence.

Soon we will celebrate Christmas. What is it all about? We should realize it's all part of God pursuing us, to the extent of sending His Son, to endure pain, torture and human death, in the pursuit of our rescue. In the excitement of celebrations let us not forget that.

​Today, let's stop running. Consider what parts of our life we are currently using as a hiding place from God’s complete authority or intimate presence (e.g., control, busy-ness, self-sufficiency, ambition).

The Blue Collared Prophet

                                             

On this second Sunday of Advent, we light the second purple candle on the wreath—the Bethlehem Candle. While the first week focused on hope, this week turns our hearts toward Peace.

But today, we want to take a different view of "Peace". A view which was stated by Micah the prophet. Micah was known as the "blue-collar prophet" because, unlike Isaiah, who was an advisor in the royal courts, Micah came from a small, rural town called Moresheth. Yet he stated one of the most profound messages - found in Micah Chapter 5 verse 5 -

The verse explicitly states:

​"And he shall be their peace." (ESV)

While verse 2 is the famous prophecy about Jesus being born in Bethlehem, it is verse 5 that reveals the nature of His leadership. Here is why this specific line is so powerful for the second Sunday of Advent:

​1. Peace is a Person, Not a Policy

​Micah doesn't say that the Messiah will negotiate peace or bring peace like a politician. He says the Messiah will be our peace. In the original Hebrew, this implies that His very presence constitutes the state of peace (Shalom). When He arrives, peace arrives because they are one and the same.

​2. Peace in the Midst of the "Assyrian"

​The context of Micah 5:5 is wartime. Micah says, "And he shall be their peace when the Assyrian comes into our land..." At the time, Assyria was the terrifying superpower threatening to destroy Judah.

​The radical point Micah is making is that divine peace does not require the absence of an enemy. You can have the "Assyrian" (which can be your illness, your debt, your anxiety etc.,) marching through your heart and mind, and yet, because of the Messiah, you can still possess a peace that the enemy  cannot touch.

​3. The Bridge to the New Testament

​This specific Old Testament verse is the direct "ancestor" to the famous New Testament claim in Ephesians 2:14:

​"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

When you light the candle of peace this Sunday, you are celebrating the fact that Jesus didn't just come to give us a "quiet feeling"—He came to be the fortress that stands between us and the chaos of the world.

Most of us wait for our circumstances to settle down so we can finally have peace. Micah 5:5 tells us the opposite: Peace has a name, and He stands firm even when the land is under siege. You don't have to wait for the war to end to be at peace; you only have to invite the Prince in.

The Door of Uncertainty

"It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

When we face difficult situations in life, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. we fear the unknown. However, as believers, we can take comfort in the truth of the quoted verse which reminds us that the Lord goes before us.

But what does it mean for the Lord to go before us? It is in fact a promise of divine preparation, presence, and protection. It’s a call to courage: step forward in faith, because wherever you are going, God is already there. And Because God goes before us, we are told: “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” 

Fear often comes from uncertainty, but this verse assures us that the future is already in God’s hands. 

Yet, there’s a deeper, more radical truth here: it means God is not bound by time the way we are. While we stand trembling at the threshold of “uncertainty,” He already inhabits both our future and our present. The battles we fear tomorrow are victories He has already secured. The doors we hesitate to open are rooms He has already furnished with grace. This verse is not just about guidance—it’s about God’s timeless sovereignty, reminding us that we are never walking into the unknown; we are stepping into a reality where God has already written redemption into the script. So, when we walk through the door of uncertainty, we are not entering risk—we are entering fulfillment, because the Author of time Himself has gone ahead to ensure that our story bends toward His promise.

Therefore, the future we fear is already filled with His presence, His preparation, and His power. He is already there, on the other side of the door, waiting to hand hold us.  The battles we dread, the uncertainties that paralyze us, and the doors we cannot yet see—He has already walked through them, arranging victory and provision. This means every step into the unknown is not a leap into emptiness but a stride into territory where God Himself is waiting. Courage is not found in our strength but in the unshakable truth that the Lord who leads us will never leave us, never forsake us, and never fail us. Therefore, fear has no authority, discouragement has no dominion, and hope becomes the anthem of every new beginning. 

When we walk through that door of “Uncertainty”, we are not stepping into chaos but into a space already ordered by God’s hand. The unknown is not a void—it is a room He has furnished with grace, a path He has cleared with purpose, and a future He has secured with His promises. What feels like risk to us is already redemption in His plan. So when fear whispers that we are unprepared, faith declares that the Lord Himself has gone before us, and courage rises because we are walking into a tomorrow where God is already waiting.  

The Key Lesson for Us Today is to take Courage in uncertainty by building our Faith & Trust in His promises. 

Temptation: Pastor Rajiv's Mid-Week Message

 

The Prophet’s Candle

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

All church going Christians must be familiar with the four pillars of Advent which started yesterday. These pillars of hope, peace, joy and love, reflect some of the virtues of our Christ, because they summarize the core spiritual gifts and promise brought into the world by the birth of Jesus Christ.

Also known as the “prophecy candle,” the candle of hope for Advent assures us we can have hope that God will fulfill the prophecies declared in the Old Testament about Jesus. Hope doesn’t disappoint us (Romans 5:5).

So today, we will talk about "hope". What is hope and how does it relate to Christ.

Hope is inherent to humans. When we sleep, we hope we will wake up the next morning. Every baby born is hope for a family. Everything we do is with a hope that there will be an expected end.

Jesus gives life to that hope. Hopelessness is not part of Gods plan. Even as you read this, you are living a hope - whether you acknowledge it or not.

Hope is not in the distant future. Hope is here and now. For example - When a person is sick and suffering he or she can hope for a Cure or Full Recovery (The big goal) and a Good Quality of Life Today (The small, achievable goal).

If you are looking at change or a shift in your life - in the longer perspective you want Control Over the Future. In the shorter term

Acceptance and New Meaning (The "new normal") of the present.

​Hope is not denying the dark night but choosing to light the small candle and affirm the Light that is promised to return. Therefore, 

• ​Hope is not denial; it is trust. We trust that even when our bodies fail, His love does not.

• ​Hope is not ease; it is endurance. That He Grant us the strength to face the next treatment, the next difficult day, and the next moment with courage, knowing He is our refuge.

• ​Hope is not control; it is surrender. Help us surrender our fear and anxiety into His hands, believing that His plan holds profound meaning, even if we cannot see it now.

Second, who needs hope? Why does the Bible give it so much importance?

The biblical call to hope is not about wishful thinking; it's about confident expectation based on God’s proven track record. The prophecies of the Old Testament, like the one from Isaiah, were written during times of national defeat, exile, and despair—true hopelessness.

​God’s message through the prophets was this: Your current suffering is not the final word. It still is not.  

​This Advent, the candle of Hope reminds us that:

• ​God sees our darkness. He doesn't minimize our pain, grief, or struggle, but gives us the strength to bear it till we receive our blessing. Our problem and pain get dwarfed by His power. Isaiah says the people were walking in "deep darkness"—a profound, overwhelming shadow.

• ​The Light is not accidental. The Light (Christ) was promised centuries before He arrived. This means your current despair, if you are feeling it, is temporary because God has a pre-planned, guaranteed solution that is already set in motion.

• ​Hope is anchored in history. We light this first candle because the promise was kept in a manger in Bethlehem. If God kept the promise to Israel after centuries of waiting, He will certainly keep His promises to you today. Think about your own blessings in the past. Unexplained good incidents; unsought blessings. God has your back. 

​Our hope is not dependent on our circumstances changing, but on God’s unchanging nature and His promise to make all things new.

As you look at the first candle, acknowledge the areas of your life that feel heavy, dark, or hopeless. Name the burdens, talk to God about them. Name them. 

This week, practice choosing to hope over despair, through action:

• ​Daily Focus: Every morning, identify one prophecy fulfilled by Jesus (like those found in Isaiah 7, 9, or Micah 5). Write it down and use it as a reminder: "He did this, so He will do that." At the same time recall one good thing that happened to you. 

• ​Light in the Darkness: When you feel overwhelmed by hopelessness, physically light a candle (the Advent candle, if available) and pray the prayer of Isaiah 9:2 over your situation. Let the flame represent the promised, faithful presence of Christ.

The Divine Exchange

Life in a fallen world inevitably brings moments of fear, uncertainty, and distress. We often find ourselves weighed down by the "what-ifs," the looming deadlines, the health concerns, or the relational tensions that steal our joy and peace. 

This constant undercurrent of worry is what the Bible calls anxiety. It's a heavy, oppressive burden that can make us feel isolated and exhausted. Anxiety creeps in when we try to control what we were never meant to carry.

​The Apostle Peter, who certainly knew a thing or two about intense pressure and failure, acknowledges this burden and offers a profound solution:

​"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

— 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)

​This verse gives us a clear instruction and a deep promise. The instruction is to cast—an active, definitive movement, like throwing a heavy net off your shoulder. The promise is the reason why we can do this: He cares for you.

​In fact, Paul too said - 

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God". Philippians 4:6 (KJV)

Paul reminds us that instead of being anxious, we’re called to pray. Not once in a while—but in everything.

Why? Because Prayer is the exchange. You give God your worry and He gives you His peace. You give Him your burden and He gives you strength. 

The enemy loves an anxious heart, but peace guards the heart that trusts in Christ. Today, release what’s weighing you down. Turn your stress into supplication. Don’t carry what grace has already covered.

Prayer is not simply reciting a wish list; it is the mechanism by which we make the divine exchange. We hand over the heavy, crushing weight of our anxiety, and in return, God gives us His supernatural, unwavering peace.

​​Notice the distinct steps:

​Acknowledge: Don't suppress the anxiety. Bring "everything"—the big things and the small things—into God's presence.

​Pray with Thanksgiving: Even amidst the worry, we can be thankful for who God is, His past faithfulness, and His ultimate control. This perspective shifts the focus from the problem to the Provider.

​The Result: A Guarded Heart: The response is not just the absence of worry, but the presence of "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding." This peace acts as a divine sentinel, a guard posted over your heart (your feelings) and your mind (your thoughts) in Christ Jesus.

​A Peace that Surpasses Understanding

​This peace is not dependent on your circumstances changing. You don't get peace after the problem is solved; you get peace while you are walking through the problem. This is why it "surpasses all understanding"—it doesn't make logical sense to the anxious, worried world.

​The moment you deliberately articulate your fear to God and choose to trust Him with the outcome; you are engaging in this divine exchange. You are swapping a heavy, self-focused burden for a light, God-centered peace.

In a moment of prayer, picture yourself deliberately handing that specific burden over to God. Ask Him to replace that fear with the incomprehensible peace of Jesus.

Maybe you can pray like this - 

​"Heavenly Father, I confess that I often carry burdens that are too heavy for me. I am anxious, and I need your peace. Today, I actively cast [Name your specific anxiety] onto you, believing that you care for me. Thank you that I don’t have to understand the outcome to have your peace. Let your peace, which guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, flood my soul. Amen."

​Is there a specific area of your life you'd like to pray about right now? Don't wait. Exchange it! 

Monday Quotes

 

"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come" - Rabindranath Tagore

"When I fall sick, I am taken to a hospital where I surrender to the nurses, attendants and doctors. They put me in a wheelchair and take me where I do not know, put me on machines I do not recognize and do tests which the doctors have ordered. I am completely in their hands. Then I wonder, when I can trust the doctors, nurses and attendants for my well being, and surrender myself, why do I have a problem surrendering to God? Why cant I let God push my wheelchair?" - Pastor Jolly Raj, Bethel Methodist Church, India.

" Faith is the bird that feels the light, when the dawn is still dark". - Rabindranath Tagore

"Pray; and as you pray, surrender; and as you surrender, believe". - Aiden Wilson Tozer

It is not our business to make the message acceptable, but to make it available. We are not to see that they like it, but that they get it. - Vance Havner

You will never be saved against your will; God drags nobody to heaven by the ears. - Charles Spurgeon

Too many Christians live their Christian lives inside their heads; it never gets out through hands and feet and lips. - Vance Havner

"Don't ever come to church without coming as though it were the first time, as though it could be the best time, and as though it could be the last time." ~ Vance Havner

"When the Lord's white sheep become dirty gray, all black sheep feel more comfortable." ~ Vance Havner

"Fundamentally, our Lord's message was Himself. He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. He did not come merely to give bread; He said, "I am the bread." He did not come merely to shed light; He said, "I am the light." He did not come merely to show the door; He said, "I am the door." He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, "I am the shepherd." He did not come merely to point the way; He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."" ~ J. Sidlow Baxter

"Real true faith is man's weakness leaning on God's strength." ~ Dwight L. Moody

"There is more grace in God's heart than there is sin in your past." ~ Erwin W. Lutzer

"Love the sinner, hate the sin? How about: Love the sinner, hate your own sin! I don't have time to hate your sin. There are too many of you! Hating my sin is a full-time job. How about you hate your sin, I'll hate my sin and let's just love each other!" ~ Mark Lowry

"Because with every action, comment, conversation, we have the choice to invite Heaven or Hell to Earth." ~ Rob Bell

"Every day we live is a priceless gift of God, loaded with possibilities to learn something new, to gain fresh insights." ~ Dale Evans

"God doesn't break things so He can fix them; He fixes broken things so He can use them." ~ Bob Goff

Sunday Quotes

                 

You will never be saved against your will; God drags nobody to heaven by the ears. Charles Spurgeon

This life is the only hell believers will ever know. But for those who die in their sins, this is their only heaven - Ray Comfort

Let me remind you that this is God's universe, and He is doing things His way. You may think you have a better way, but you don't have a universe to rule - J. Vernon McGee

When we share Christ, the Truth behind our transformation, we are offering people an opportunity to be transformed - David Jeremiah

Too many Christians live their Christian lives inside their heads; it never gets out through hands and feet and lips - Vance Havner

When the Lord's white sheep become dirty gray, all black sheep feel more comfortable - Vance Havner

If you see a Bible that is falling apart, it probably belongs to someone who isn't! Vance Havner

God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way. - Aiden Wilson Tozer

Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.  Alexander MacLaren

We should not pray for God to be on our side, but pray that we may be on God's side. Billy Graham

Keep it Shining!

Well, Christmas is a day away. We will all be so busy with the busyness of Christmas, prepping for dinners and special cakes, cookies, gifts, travel and plans.

In this great and busy time, let us not forget the birthday boy! Jesus was born into the world to bring peace and joy and love. He wants to be born in our hearts if we let Him.

What does it mean for Jesus to be born into our hearts? For Him to shine through our lives as light for the world?

Sometime back we talked about the three dimensions of spiritual relationships - within us, with God and with fellow men. Because of Jesus we need not hide our faces and ourselves from God, like Adam and Eve, but have a bold relationship with Him and with others. Which means that because Jesus was born to sacrifice Himself for our forgiveness, we are at peace. The Billy Graham Foundation describes this very well -

"So many people strive for one thing more than any other - peace. The reason they seek it is because there’s no lasting comfort or freedom in their lives. It’s like they are always unsettled. The Bible defines peace primarily in three ways.

• Psychological peace, the comfort within.

• Relational peace, harmony among humanity.

• Spiritual peace, which is between God and man.

The Bible outlines how sin damages or wipes out all three types of peace. When God created man, he was at peace with God, himself, and everyone else. However, that peace was lost when he turned against God. Peace can be restored, but we can’t do it alone. God provided a way".

Yes, God provided the way through Jesus.

Today, we celebrate Christmas because we have the peace Jesus brought, as a gift from God.

https://peacewithgod.net/

Saturday Vespers

 

This Saturday before Christmas, we come before our God, with hearts full of gratitude for His unfailing love and mercy. We thank Him for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon us, even those we may not see or acknowledge. We especially thank Him for the Gift of Jesus Christ, and the hope, peace & joy we have through Him. 

We humbly lift up those who are in need of His divine intervention and care. For those suffering from illness, to grant them healing and strength. Comfort for those who are in pain, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and to let them feel His presence by their side.

We pray for those who are facing difficult decisions or challenges. Lord, guide them with Your wisdom and grant them clarity and peace. May they find the courage to trust in Your plans and walk the path You have set before them.

We are grateful for our readers from around the world who pray for prayer requests and today we also ask for prayer from all our readers for - 

Ms. Jayasudha for protection and healing from her cancer. Also pray for her peace in Christ as she struggles with negative dreams and thoughts. 

For Diane that she does not have any scary symptoms and has assurance of it soon

For Jamie and Bob, and their health and wellbeing.

Dr. Moreland requests prayer for Prayers for a 2 year old girl named Isla, in the hospital and her family.

For all those who are feeling lost or alone this Christmas, we ask that You surround them with Your love and light. Send them companions who will support and uplift them, and may they always know that they are never truly alone with You in their hearts.

In our world filled with strife and division, we pray for peace and unity. Help us to be instruments of Your peace, showing love and understanding to all, regardless of our differences.

Lastly, we ask for Your continued blessings upon our families and friends. Keep them safe and healthy, and may our relationships be strengthened by Your grace.

The Old Woman and a Blanket

 

It was December and a cold one at that. An old woman worked in a home for cleaning and washing. One day she complained about the cold to the mistress, about how she could not sleep in the cold at night. The mistress, who was a very thoughtful and kind lady decided to get the old maid a blanket, for Christmas, to keep her warm and so she did.

Next day a beautiful woolen blanket was delivered, in beautiful Christmas colors of green, red and white.

As the maid was getting ready to leave, the mistress gave her the blanket, but instead of being pleased, the maid scornfully stated she did not want it. On being asked why, she said she didn't like it because it had a white color which would get dirty and she would have to wash it, so she would prefer one without white. The mistress got a bit upset because she had gone through a lot of trouble and expense to get the blanket delivered urgently. "Anyway," she said, "don't take it if you don't want. I can't force you. I will see how and when it can be exchanged".

The maid left leaving the blanket behind. That night was the coldest night of that season.

Thinking about this story, one wonders that how many times have we behaved like the maid? How many times we have rejected the warmth of Gods' blessings, which maybe long term, for our short-term demands? In our short sight we cannot see beyond the horizon, but God can and blesses us with His plans which are based on His vision, but we don't see it.

The only way our vision can be in sync with Gods plans is for us to trust Him completely, without reservation or ambiguity or conditions.

Christ Himself was part of Gods long term plan for each one of us. A gift to mankind. But, like the old maid, sometimes we reject the gift and the warmth of Jesus and His offer of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love for short term material gains and pleasures.

This Christmas, will we truly and earnestly and happily accept God's gift? 

A Christmas Story by Helen Steiner Rice

The Story of the Christmas Guest

by Helen Steiner Rice

It happened one day at December's end
Some neighbors called on an old-time friend.
And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made gay with a thousand boughs of green.
And old Conrad was sitting with face ashine,
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched the twine.
And he said, "My friends, at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
The Lord appeared in a dream to me.
And He said, 'I'm coming your guest to be."
So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.
The table is spread and the kettle is shined,
And over the rafters the holly is twined.
And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear;
And listen closely so I will hear,
His steps as he nears my humble place.
And I'll open the door and I'll look on his face."
Then his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known.
For long since his family had passed away.
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest,
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
So he listened with only joy in his heart,
And with every sound he would rise with a start,
And look for the Lord to be at his door,
Like the vision that he had had a few hours before.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all he could see on the snow covered ground,
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn.
And all his clothes were ragged and worn.
But old Conrad was touched, and he went to the door
And he said, "Your feet must be cold and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you.
And I have a coat to keep you warmer, too."
So with grateful heart the man went away.
But Conrad noticed the time of day
And he wondered what made the dear Lord so late,
And how much longer he'd have to wait.
Then he heard another knock, and he ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more.
A bent old lady with a shawl of black,
And a bundle of kindling piled on her back.
But she asked only for a place to rest,
a place that was reserved, for Conrad's great guest.
Her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away,
Let me rest for awhile this Christmas Day."
So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
After she had left, he was filled with dismay,
For he saw that the hours were slipping away
The Lord had not come as He said He would,
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.
When out of the stillness, he heard a cry.
"Please help me and tell me - Where am I?"
So again he opened his friendly door,
And stood disappointed as twice before.
It was a child who had wandered away,
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad,
But he knew he could make this little girl glad.
So he called her in and he wiped her tears,
And he quieted all of her childish fears.
Then he led her back to her home once more,
And as he entered his own darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today,
For the hours of Christmas had all passed away.
So he went to his room, and he knelt down to pray.
And He said, "Lord, why did you delay?
What kept You from coming to call on me?
I wanted so much Your face to see."
Then softly, in the silence, a voice he heard.
"Lift up your head - I have kept My word.
Three times my shadow crossed your floor.
Three times I came to your lowly door.
I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet;
I was the woman you gave something to eat;
I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked, three times I came in,
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.
Of all the gifts, love is the best.
I was honored to be your Christmas guest.

Charity Wrapped in Dignity

"Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands"

Christmas is around the corner and a time of joy, love, and giving, and is often intertwined with the spirit of charity. It's a season when people are more inclined to think of others, especially those less fortunate. The story of Christmas, especially the birth of Jesus, is often associated with humility, compassion, and selfless giving. By helping others, we not only bring joy to their lives but also experience a sense of fulfillment ourselves.

But here is the thing: when we help someone with money or some material things, it often jolts their own self worth. So while we may help them temporarily, we may hurt them permanently. So, taking a cue from Christmas, we try to understand what charity should mean.

Jesus took birth to die. We all do. But He took birth to die for us. He knew from the very beginning that he was the scapegoat! He knew His fate and yet He did it and went ahead. Why?

A. God, in His compassion wanted us to attain salvation and yet, needed to follow His own rule for forgiveness of our sins: There had to be a sacrifice.

B. God understood human nature and knew that the desire to rebuild a relationship could be kindled in the human heart.

C. God in His infinite wisdom also gave us the honour to choose - a life with God or a life without God.

To be able to offer man a chance at forgiveness and to wipe the slate clean, He sent His son, with this great mission: The salvation of mankind. 

Yes, that is the story of Christmas and it is the very definition of charity as well. A charity which we need to practise through out year and throughout the time we have here on earth.

Christmas defines true charity which is not merely about giving material possessions. It is about offering compassion, understanding, and the opportunity to rebuild one's life. By treating others with dignity and respect, we can empower them to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential.

Interestingly, many , many years before Christmas, Jesus's ancestor Boaz, showcased dignified charity when he told his workmen not to glean all the corn, but to leave them for Ruth. He not only redeemed her, but he did it with love and respect. 

Similarly, when Jesus was with the Samaritan woman at the well, He did not dwell on her sin. He did not scorn. He already knew what she had done. Instead, the Lord continually focused on her salvation. 

Today, we can reflect on that great sacrifice our God made for us. Without scorning us, without counting our sin, He gave us the greatest gift mankind can ever receive, so that we can live a joyous and abundant life. Let us pass on a little of the joy and abundance we have received. 

Pastor Rajiv's Mid-Week Message

 

The Peace of Christmas

Peace is a word most sought after, most misunderstood and most misinterpreted. We are in the second week of advent, with the theme of peace, and yet According to recent data, there are currently around 56 ongoing conflicts worldwide, with some sources stating this is the highest number since World War II, involving numerous countries engaged in conflicts outside their borders.

So then, what is this peace? What does it look like? What does it mean? What is the peace of God? 

In the Bible, the word Jesus uses for peace in most of these passages comes from the Greek word eiréné, which means harmony, tranquility, and reconciliation. It’s the concept of being in perfect unity and accord with the Lord, living in tune with his commands and ways.

It is a deep, inner peace that surpasses human comprehension, a calmness and serenity that can be experienced even amidst difficult circumstances, and is considered a gift from God that guards one's heart and mind through faith in Christ Jesus. This peace may not be logically understood but is visible in anyone who has experienced it. Visible in thier faces, ther manner, their talks and their behaviour, specially under extreme stress, because that stress or situation is passed onto Jesus in the full belief that He will carry that burden.

Jessica Brodie goes on to say that "in the short term, the peace of God doesn’t always look like world peace. But in the long-term, it is. For the peace of God comes when we know the God of peace". Jesus. Name above all names.

Which essentially means that till we as individuals experience God, believe in salvation, want salvation and believe that the way to salvation is through Jesus, the world cannot experience eiréné, the peace that Jesus talked about.

In fact, The "peace of God" can be considered a direct result of salvation, meaning that when a person accepts Jesus Christ and is saved, they receive a sense of peace and tranquility with God that comes from the forgiveness of their sins and the knowledge of their secure relationship with Him. They are no longer tormented souls on earth but, tranquil and peaceful beings.

This peace isn't just the absence of conflict, but a deep sense of security, contentment, and trust in God's plan, even amidst life's challenges.

John Blanchard made it quite simple when he commented there that the peace of God is being grateful for past mercy, conscious of present mercy, and certain of future mercy.

It is the peace from knowing God is with us. Emmanuel.

When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.” (Proverbs 16:7)

Unseen Anguish - II

While the world celebrates Christmas with merriment & laughter, there are many whose hearts are filled with anguish. Unseen and unknown. Beneath the façade of smiles and laughter, a silent storm often rages within the them. Unseen anguish can manifest in various forms. It may be the quiet desperation of a person grappling with a chronic illness, the silent suffering of a victim of abuse, or the internal turmoil of someone struggling with mental health issues. It can be the gnawing loneliness of an isolated soul or the profound grief of a bereaved heart.

The world often overlooks these silent struggles, dismissing them as mere fleeting moments of sadness or temporary setbacks. However, for those who endure them, unseen anguish can be a relentless force, consuming their thoughts and emotions. It can lead to feelings of isolation, worthlessness, and hopelessness.

Yet, even in the darkest depths of despair, there is a flicker of hope. Jesus Christ: offering a lifeline, offering understanding, empathy, and a life of His peace, if we so want.

What can we, as Christians do to help? Share Christmas! 

By fostering empathy and compassion, we can create a more supportive and understanding world. We can offer a listening ear, a comforting word, or a helping hand to those who are struggling silently. Above all, we can provide reassurances of Gods help in any situation, may it seem ever so hopeless and Jesus's birth in our lives. We can share and offer Jesus's peace.  

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Sunday Quotes

                      

“Here lies the tremendous mystery: that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to coerce. He summons us to cooperation. We are honored in being given the opportunity to participate in his good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing his miracles: Fill the water pots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves.”(Elisabeth Elliot)

“The terrible, tragic fallacy of the last hundred years has been to think that all man's troubles are due to his environment, and that to change the man you have nothing to do but change his environment. That is a tragic fallacy. It overlooks the fact that it was in Paradise that man fell.” (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

“For God to reveal His Son in us is not the result of research or searching; it is entirely a matter of mercy and revelation. It is an inward seeing, an inner knowing.” (Watchman Nee)

“You cannot go outside of A and Z in the realm of literature; likewise Christ Jesus is First and Last of God's new creation, and all that is in between; you cannot get outside of that.” (T. Austin-Sparks)

“Be still, and know that I am God. We must not interpret that ‘Be still’ in a sentimental manner. Some regard it as a kind of exhortation to us to be silent; but it is nothing of the sort. It means, ‘Give up (or ‘Give in’ and admit I am God’. God is addressing people who are opposed to Him.” (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” (Oswald Chambers)

“I have heard of some good old woman in a cottage, who had nothing but a piece of bread and a little water, and lifting up her hands, she said, as a blessing, “What! all this, and Christ too?” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon)

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” (Timothy Keller)

“Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength.”

(Billy Graham)

“Only one life, 'Twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last.” (C.T. Studd)

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” (Corrie Ten Boom)

“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” (Robert H. Schuller)

Revive Your Spirit!

Revivals have been a part of Christian history for centuries, and they continue to occur today. Once such annual revival concert called "Revive", happens in India, every year in November, at the Bethel Methodist Church in a Place called NOIDA, bringing in the Christmas. Today we bring you a short glimpse of this years' concert. 

 

The Toothpaste Experiment

 

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips" , Psalm 141:3

There is a super power given to us and that is the tongue. It produces words and Words have power. They can heal or they can destroy. They can also make you a laughing stock.

God's Word mentions the tongue in over 120 passages, and many of those are cautions about using it wisely. Learning to control how we speak – to the Lord and to others – is one of the vital parts of our growth as Christians. The tongue reveals our hearts. It is a window.

If you want to see the effect of your tongue, take a tube of Toothpaste and squeeze some onto your hand. Now try putting all that you squeezed back into the tube. Impossible right? Trying to put it back in the tube will further mess your hand.

The tongue is like the tube. Once it has spoken words, you cannot put them back in your mouth. They will leave a mark. If they are good, kind words, you will leave a good kind mark. If they are harsh and or filthy words they will leave a filthy mark. They can never be taken back.

Kind words come from kind thoughts, and through Gods words.

Evil words come from our ego, jealousy, hate, and all those negative emotions which are not part of Christian thoughts.

Most of us suffer from this (what I call) silent sin. And like all sin, God is happy to help us overcome it. We need but ask.

Controlling the tongue is a basic part of living a Godly life. As Peter says in 1 Peter 3:10

For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech” .