The service commenced with a reading of Psalm 34:1-3 and invocation of the Almighty by the worship leader. The congregation is then led into a heartfelt praise and worship session with Christmas hymns, warming the hearts of each one on this cold winter day. Upa Kamsuanthang dedicated the offerings to the Lord.
Pastor Lamkhanthang greeted the congregation and welcomed the first timers/visitors to the church. Reading out Lamentations 3:39-40, he briefly spoke about the need to reflect on what God wanted us to learn through our trials before leading the congregation in mass prayer. Thereafter, dedication of baby Jordan Thangbiaklian, s/o S. Ginlalsiam and T. Nancy Lamneiching followed.
The sermon was delivered by Pastor Dr Suankhanhau who, in the spirit of the festive season, explained what Christmas truly is. Christmas is the joyous recognition and grand celebration of God becoming flesh in the birth of Jesus Christ on this earth. Posing the question whether Christmas will be meaningful without all the traditions and customs such as decorations, feasting, shopping, gift exchanges, etc. associated with it, Pastor expounded on the four Central theme of Christmas, viz. Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.
HOPE (Isaiah 9:6, 11:1): In a world void of hope and waiting to face the wrath of God, the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ overturned the course of the dark future by bringing hope to all: hope for the hopeless, help for the helpless and light amidst the dark. Jesus Christ is the source of our hope. Do we keep our hope in Him under all circumstances?
LOVE (John 3:16): While Jesus’ death on the cross is the climax of God’s love for us, the birth of Christ into this world is the manifestation of His vast, deep, boundless and immeasurable love. Christmas is the celebration of God’s love. As we have received God’s love, it should be our mission to let it shine in our relationship with others and in all our actions, loving people with the love of God in us.
JOY (Luke 2: 10): Christ’s birth is a good tiding of great joy for all people. It is the reason for the joy in our hearts, transcending all the problems of this world. Perfect joy is in Christ alone. Christ in our hearts fills us with joy. But do we make all efforts to share the secret of the joy in our hearts to others?
PEACE (Luke 2:14): Jesus Christ is the ambassador of peace. Christ’s birth brought reconciliation between God and man, between man and man and peace within the heart of those who received Him as their Lord and Savior. If one does not have peace within or peace with fellow human beings, the peace of God may not be in him. The peace that Christ brings permeate the inner self as well as the outer, vertical and horizontal relationships making those who possessed it, ambassadors of peace.
As we celebrate Christmas with feasting, shopping, gift exchanges, etc, it is important to focus on Jesus Christ, the sole reason for celebration of the festive season and let the hope, love, joy and peace of God radiate through our life.
A brief report on the Annual EBC Conference by Pastor Lamkhanthang and announcement by the Christmas & New Year Celebration Committee followed. The Congregation then rose and sang the last hymn and the service concluded with a word of prayer by Upa Chinsum.
