On Christmas 2011

On the 25th of December many years back, a few men (or astrologers) followed the Star of Bethlehem to search for the young child of God. They traveled from afar and found Child Jesus (and Mother Mary) beneath the Star, then fell to their knees and worship Child Jesus. They presented Child Jesus with gifts and treasures of gold, myrrh and frankincense and rejoiced with great joy.

-Matthew 2:8

I love December. Because everyone’s in a festive mood, the work is slowing down, friends residing overseas are returning, end-of-year + countless Christmas parties popping up on schedule. Of course with all the year-end parties comes gifts and all, comes secret santa, kris kringle, christkindl; the tradition where you anonymously give gifts. Over time as we go about buying gifts for our friends and relatives (side note: Christmas is a good reason for kids to get new toys!), do not forget what Christmas is all about. I know this will always be on everyone’s lips - that Christmas is about giving.. blahblah, must remember that we are celebrating Jesus’s birth- but really, drill in it you! And as you get your gifts for your friends (secret santa and all), don’t whine about how troublesome it is to get gifts, that its more of a hassle and obligation to get them. The wise men who didn’t have the slightest clue who they are going to meet, brought gifts of GOLD and MYRRH, all of which were expensive items back then. Imagine their astonishment when they saw that they traveled afar just to see a young infant! but of course they probably contained their surprise really well and FELL onto the ground and worship  - someone they didn’t know nor expect to see in such a form - child/infant Jesus. 

And with December, comes a time of reminiscence; a time to ponder over your accomplishments, failures, events, good things and the bad, attitude, character, thoughts, how much you changed. You, or rather myself, start thinking about all that has molded myself (you) this past year, for who i am today. 2011, all in all, was a great, if not best year for me. I vaguely remembered 2007 being my best year so far, something about how being in StAndrews was the best time of my life ever, and i think i saw a lot of friendships growing then. By saying 2011 is a great year, probably the best, i’m sure this is going to be in my mental list of  ”things i said before” - chucked and forgotten after a while. But i think the event that will make me remember 2011 most vividly would be the death of a beloved and best friend. 

I will.. come up with the thanksgiving list soon (abit too late but just in time before the new year). Before that let me get to the death of a best friend. It was P’s birthday a few days back, her mom, Jacob and myself struggled to be okay that day. Everytime i hear ‘Amazing Grace’, enters the vision of us walking behind the van where her coffin laid, it was the song that played while we sent P on her last journey (to heaven). I really love that song, but kind of dislike it too. Regardless,i read the testimony of the African Pastor who died and rose again (Daniel Ekechukwu, go google!), his recount about heaven and hell got me thinking. I know there are a far share of skeptics out there but i trust in what he said. i think when you pass on two angels will come and take you away. I think people in heaven will be clothe in white garments and you will be too, when you pass Judgement..

I wonder how heaven will be like during Christmas..and Easter!