Welcome to Christmas 2010

Pr Kungsong Wanbe *

He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches;
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna,
and will give him a white stone,
and in the stone a new name written,
which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 2: 17 (King James Version).

The Christmas day, the 25th December 2010 is approaching. No doubt we will receive many gifts and many surprises, but everybody shall not receive the promised gifts, it shall be according to the faithfulness they have.

There is a lovely old story telling about the ancient king Shah Abbis who reigned in Persia. The story says the king disguised himself and went around visiting house to house to find out whether they were happy. The king walked up and down the street, he ate food together with whom he visited. The king worked with them in their fields and workshops.

In one evening he stopped to talk with a workman who was sitting near fireplace. The workman was good, cheerful and talked freely about his work, his wife and his children thinking that his visitor (the king) was a poor and simple man who wanted to take rest a while near the fire. The next night the king came again and the next night and every night continuously. The workman was so friendly, so happy and so kindly that he shared his lunch with his visitor (the king).

After awhile they became such good friends that at last the king said, "I will tell you the right thing today that I am not a poor man, I am your king in disguise. It is not my desire to sit near the warm place and to eat your food but I am going to visit every one of them to find out what kind of people they are. Today I have found you a good citizen of my country.

The workman was too amazed for the king's revelation. Then the kind king said, "Now You'll know who I am. I suppose you will have some request to make my generosity as a king". The workman replied and said, "No, no my king" I have nothing more to ask. As my king has visited me. Talked with me, and shared my humble food with me, this is the greatest gift you have given me. The memory of your friendship will stay with me forever.

So it is with Christmas, that Jesus the King was born and lived on earth as a man, walking along the city streets with the crowd, eating in the homes of the people, teaching and healing the multitude, and making children glad. The name of Christ is connected with Christmas for a while it makes to forget the things that are mean proud and selfish, and tries its best to make others happy.

There is another story that a little boy walking in the street with his father saw billboard advertising Christmas shopping and the word Christmas spelled as X-mas. The boy tugged on his father's hand and said "Daddy why do they spell Christmas- X-mas?" The father said, I don't know my son why they replace the name Christ.

The boy again said, "Daddy, is it because they have crossed Christ out of Christmas being too much enjoy the festival rather than to have faith in Jesus Christ". Not knowing what else to say the father replied, Maybe so, my son.

Let us be sure not to leave Christ out of this Christmas. Let us make this the happiest Christmas in our life by following the example of Christ by forgetting self and trying only to make other happy.

Just to be like Jesus our thinking in action and in word, comforting and helping the sad and sorrow people. Just like our king (Jesus Christ) to make other happy and glad.

May God bless all of us.