“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  (Romans 15:13)

Subject: Hope is that Little Light Flickering in the Dark

In lamenting the state of our times, some people have said that “Ten years ago, we had Steve Jobs, Johnny Cash, and Bob Hope. Now we have no jobs, no cash, and no hope.” Sounds depressing indeed.

Tough though it may be, it is still not a disaster to have no jobs. In fact, losing a job is increasingly very common. In Canada, the extremely tight controls over immigration is a clue on how difficult it is for the Canadian government to create jobs for its citizens. It is still not the end of the world if we have no cash. At least in Canada, we have a welfare system and various charities around to assist the homeless and the needy. We are the envy of many other developing countries in the world.  However, when it comes to not having hope, it is a different matter altogether. We need hope more than jobs or cash.

“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”  (Luke 1:31, ESV)

Subject: First Week of the 2013 Advent Season

As everything Halloween comes down, everything Christmas goes up. Since early November, retail stores have been feverishly gearing up for the biggest sales event of the year. As far as businesses are concerned, this time of the year is exactly what the Andy Williams’s song says: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” That is, at least from the profit margin point of view. In many cities, these decorations serve as an automatic reminder that Christmas is coming.  We need no alarm clocks. We need no daytimers or personal secretaries to tell us that. The glittering sights and the flickering lights say it all.

As early as the sixth century, Christians in the West have been using the four weeks prior to Christmas to prepare for the celebration of the coming of Christ. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin "adventus" which means “coming” or “arrival.” It is a time of preparation, in which we gear our hearts to remember how and why Jesus comes to earth. As we enter into the December month, there will be lots of last minute rush to get our shopping done or to finish our various jobs well. There will also be moments in which the stress of the busy holiday season can get to us. I know I risk sounding like a broken recorder, but there is no harm repeating it: Christ is the reason for the season.

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  (Mark 10:43-45)

Subject: Servanthood is a Mark of a Believer

What defines a Christian? Is it someone who faithfully goes to Church? Not really, for anybody can go to a Church service without believing in God.

Is it then someone who says the sinner’s prayer? Not really, especially if the words are said without a believing heart.

Is it then someone who keeps the Ten Commandments, and regularly reads the Bible? Not really, for one can keep the commandments without even knowing Jesus. What then is a Christian?

If there is one word to describe a Christian, it is this word: Servant. For Jesus himself had said that he came to earth not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. He comes not with an attitude of “What’s in it for me?” but with a servant heart. They serve because Jesus served.