Matthew 1:20

IT WAS HIS LIFE FOR YOUR LIFE!

(March 19, 2024) Wayne Swift calls it as it is, challenging us to reflect on a great truth…

Good Friday next week!

The day Christians remember the life of a great man who lived some two thousand years ago, and recalling His deeds and with affection and gratitude we extend Him our appreciation for the gracious way He gave up His life for us!

But… what was the background here? Let me share a eulogy to this great individual…

1. Beginning
Two young people, Mary and Joseph, were betrothed to be married – Joseph, an honourable man and his fiancée Mary, a young virgin with an outstanding reputation. Out-of-the-blue Mary claimed to have had a dream about falling pregnant to God Himself (Luke 1:35). Joseph must have thought she’d lost the plot! But then an angel appeared to him confirming Mary’ story (Matthew 1:20).

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MARY – HEART OF AN UNLIKELY HERO!

(December 20, 2023) Richard Winter challenges…

You can be anywhere in the world and know the essentials of the Christmas story. The basics are –

  • Mary, merely a young girl engaged to be married to Joseph, is pregnant.
  • Her explanation? It’s a miracle from God.
  • Trouble explodes! Joseph wants out and plans a quiet divorce.
  • God sends an angel to Joseph revealing it’s all OK – so go ahead with the marriage.
  • This baby is His and will be the Saviour of Israel and the world!

Thought: Aren’t you impressed with those ‘Christmas-centred’ angelic messengers? Boy, were they busy! There was Mary, visited by the archangel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-35), Joseph (Matthew 1:20), and the astounded shepherds (Luke 2:8-15).

But let’s think about Mary… though she has always been considered one of the heroes of the Christian faith, I think it’s safe to say she was an unlikely hero. She just doesn’t exactly fit a hero profile. Why unlikely? you might ask.

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GIFT OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE!

(December 08, 2023) Angeline Selvakumari shares good points…

Ever since I was a child, Christmas has always held a special place in my heart. It brings indescribable joy. When I was young, we didn’t have enough money to buy new clothes or gifts, or to decorate the house with fancy colored paper or lights. We lived in a small one-bedroom house with limited food, but… my parents always found ways to make our childhood beautiful and meaningful.

My brother and I are forever grateful for their efforts. It was an amazing time! Visiting grandparents, meeting cousins, going to church early in the morning with sleepy eyes, eagerly waiting to eat a delicious lunch with the whole family gathered around, playing games, and even the occasional sibling squabble – all these things made those days truly beautiful.

Even now, every year, the scent of candles, aroma of cookies, twinkling decorative lights, and the chilly wind, along with heartwarming carols, bring back great memories.

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