CHRISTMAS DAY 2014
It was no ordinary Thursday morning as the eagerly awaited day of the year for us believers had come. Yes, it was Christmas Day, and the spirit of Christmas once again filled the hearts of the people ever more once the very first beam of sunlight dawned across the horizon. Christmas songs that were indispensably an integral part of the celebration year after year could not stop ringing inaudibly in the ears of most people.
The congregants began to gather steadily from 10a.m. or so, and the church was fully packed - from the main hall to the gallery to the basement – by the time the worship service began at 11a.m. For the very first time in the whole year, such a multitude of congregants was witnessed in the church! ‘Live telecast’ had to be made using projector for those who were sitting in the basement.
Praise & Worship Team led the service with selected Christmas hymns, followed by a time of devotion through mass prayer. Collection of offertories then followed while the hymn ‘Lelliang Veh E Vanmang Mimbang Hong Piang’ was sung. Upa Kam Suanthang consecrated the offertories of the day. That was followed by ‘Christmas Greetings’ from the Local Chairman, Upa Damsomthang.
BYF Choir comprising of about fifty members then presented the hymn ‘Kum Mualliamsa’. BCD then presented a beautiful short musical play depicting the birth of our savior Jesus Christ, followed by a group song.
An hour had passed since the congregation started by the time the pastor occupied the pulpit. First, he acknowledged how much effort, work, people as well as money it had to take for the preparation of such celebrations. He then urged the congregants that in such a time as then while they celebrate the birth of Christ, each one of them should be able to be joyous in the new born king. Three prominent things he mentioned that could shun away joy and happiness in us – 1) worrying over the future, 2) regretting over the past, and 3) pride. These three elements must be mitigated in oneself such that one could attain true happiness and joy. The pastor then made a brief recap of the past Christmas messages for the last 2-3 years.
Today’s message was based on the Scripture Isaiah 9:6. It was about the nature/character of the new born king –
1) Wonderful Counselor:
The new born king is a wonderful counselor – a counselor for parenting, family relations, career, and for almost all our activities in everyday lives.
2) Mighty God:
How often do we, despite knowing that our God is almighty, fail to acknowledge His mightiness!
3) Everlasting Father:
Our God is no such god that sometimes He is our father, and is not at other times. Rather, for those who believe in Christ’s salvation, He is an everlasting father through eternity.
4) Prince Of Peace:
Jesus, the new born king, is truly the prince of peace. Through Him is the long-lost connection between Man and God again connected; not only between Man and God, but it also brings peace among men.
The pastor then summed up his speech challenging the congregants, “What has Christmas brought for you after celebrating it year after year for so many years? Do you know who the new born king really is, or are you still celebrating His birth without knowing Him just as Pharoah’s daughter took Moses without knowing who he was?” With these words he wound up the day’s sermon.
Announcements regarding Christmas feast by L/Upa N.Vumsuan followed. The Praise & Worship Team then led the congregation with the hymn ‘Lungdam Ni Thupitak Hongtung’. After that, Upa Khamgoupau invoked the benediction upon which the worship service ended.
Praise God! May this Christmas bring you joy and happiness!
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By- S. Ginlalsiam
Content Writer, Media Team
