Christmas decoration on Orchard Road is one of the most fascinating tourist attractions in Singapore. Lights and multi-colored ornaments fill up Orchard road every end of the year. Christmas decorations, Christmas discounts as well as Christmas songs fill up the malls in Batam. Has it ever stricken your mind why Christmas is always wrapped up in western context such as snowman, mistletoe, Christmas tree and Santa Clause? Will Christmas lose its significance without western characteristics? Is there such thing as “tropical Christmas”? Coconut tree Christmas? Banana tree Christmas? Is there such a thing as an Asian Christmas? These are challenging questions that need further probing and reflection.
What is the core message of Christmas? It is certainly not “shopping, discounts, holidays, gifts, barbeque, Heineken etc. The core message of Christmas is “good news” from the Almighty God. The good news is about the invisible God who is made known in Christ (Colossians 1.15). He is coming to reconcile all things to Himself by making peace through His blood which was shed on the cross (Colossians 1.20). He is coming to live among the people through His Spirit – Spirit of God – Spirit of Christ (Romans 8.9). Christmas is the moment of gifts. The greatest Christmas gift is not a gift that is wrapped in Santa’s sock. The greatest gift of Christmas is Christ Himself. God does not give us Ipad or Mercedes for Christmas but He gives us Himself. Are you willing to accept Him and submit your life under His leadership? In Christ, your life is definitely more enchanting than the decorations on Orchard Road. May the magic of the virgin birth, the cross and the resurrection of Christ captivate your heart and create a meaningful life in you.
