Church Weekly
20 Dec 2020

CHURCH WEEKLY

CHRISTMAS DAY, WATCHNIGHT SERVICE AND NEW YEAR 2021

From the Board of Elders

Dear Members in Christ,

Christmas day, Watchnight Service and New Year 2021

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Christmas day, 25th December 2020:

Jesus Christ is God. He is the second person of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to this world, born of the virgin Mary, to save mankind from eternal damnation because of man’s original sin. 

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 

History bears record of His earthly birth. There are also many Christmas carols like the “Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” written in the 18th and 19th Century, and sang all over the world until this day, of Jesus’ advent on earth. 

Christmas is the time, for the unbelieving world, to remember Him. They have a vague knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. They do not mind the celebration. Thus, the world celebrates His birth without knowing the real reason why. Over the years Santa Claus, the Christmas trees and glittering lights crept into the celebration. 

For Christians, we know that the Lord Jesus Christ brings Good News to all mankind. The Good News of salvation - “once we were lost and now we are found”. We should not keep this joy of salvation to ourselves. We should share this with the unbelieving world, especially our loved ones, friends, neighbours and whosoever we meet. During this time of Christmas, the real reason for Christmas must be told. It is not about Santa Claus and the red-nose reindeer, the Christmas trees, the glittering lights and the jingle bells BUT is about the gift of salvation i.e. eternal life. There is no better gift than the gift of eternal life.

However, there are some who believe that this day should not be celebrated by Christians at all. Why? The reason given is that no one is sure of the exact day that Jesus was born. So, no celebration! They also pointed that the world wrongly celebrates Christmas with Santa Claus, merrying in drinking and wild partying etc. This is indeed a true observation but it should not be the reason why Christians should not celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Christians should use this day and festive period to share the joy of salvation to the lost as, during this period, many unbelievers’ hearts are open and more receptive to the gospel message! Let the seeds of salvation be sown in the hearts of some who may be saved in due time.

As Christians, we must remember that, without doubt, Jesus was indeed born into this world. Like you and I, we have birthday celebrations. So, Jesus has a birth date too, except that the Bible did not specifically record the date. In those early years of human history, there was no proper record of registering one’s actual birth date. The earlier Church fathers therefore decided it to be on the 25th December of every year. Whatever date it is, it should not matter. In continuing the traditions of the Church fathers, over the centuries, including the Reformation years, Churches continue to celebrate the birth of Christ on 25th December annually.

This year because of the MCO, CJBPF will celebrate Christmas through online broadcast. Do join the online service and invite your loved ones and etc. to hear the good news of salvation. The Lord will surely bless you and you may be giving them the best gift of all that they will ever receive in their lives - the precious gift of salvation. 

There will be joy and celebration in heaven over sinners saved! “… that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth…” Luke 15:7

Watchnight Service, 31st December 2020:

“Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.” Psalms 65:11

It is a thanksgiving night where we gather to give thanks to God for CJBPF and for what He has given and done for each one of us in 2020. We are sinners and prone to wander away from Him. The world’s attractions are strong and many times we cave in to the pressure, seductions and temptations of the carnal world which is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. We thank God, by His grace and mercy, He watches and provides for each one of us. We must be watchful and vigilant not to fall and be trapped in the world of sin.

“It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

We must also thank Him for blessing us with daily spiritual and physical food, comfort, safety, health and strength especially against the infection from the Covid-19 virus. Indeed, there are so many things that we can be thankful for. If you start counting them one by one, they are more than can be numbered. Praise and thank God.

Thus, let us come together on Watchnight Service to hear God’s Word and to thank Him for ALL His goodness and blessings. Also, let us share our testimonies to encourage one another as well. May the Lord be magnified and glorified. 

New Year 2021:

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25

Immediately after the Watchnight Service, we enter into the New Year 2021. Let us renew our vow of service to the Lord in serving and praising Him in whatever Ministry the Lord calls us. May we also strive to walk more faithfully in the Lord and to learn of Him through His Word by spending time in reading, exhorting, fellowshipping and encouraging one another unto love and good works. 

May we bear good testimony for Him and reaching out to many who need to be saved unto His eternal kingdom of light.

We pray that God will continue to bless, watch and provide for each one of us. We pray that the Covid-19 pandemic will soon be over and we can all gather back to the Church to worship together, serving Him and to have fellowship with one another.

May CJBPF be always “… stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

God bless and let us serve Him better than the year before “… for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

 

In Christ,

Eld Choe TS