23 Dec 2023 Discussion Questions for “Why Jesus Came”
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
16 Dec 2023 Discussion Questions for “Ode to Joy”
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
Many of us will be feasting this Christmas, eating multiple dishes prepared by many hands over many days.
It’s hard for those of us who have never really gone hungry to fully understand the magnitude of the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000+ people who chose to listen to His word while their stomachs grumbled.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
Christmas is a season of gifts – not just toys and presents to our loved ones, but gifts of service, forgiveness, and generosity towards those who aren’t on our “nice” list. It’s also a great time to remember those who are in need. Here’s a list from ADRA in Victoria that may inspire you to get into the holiday spirit:
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
So I decided to take my three year old son Andrew to see the Myer Christmas Windows in the city. Something that’s been a tradition in my family for years, as my Grandmother used to take me when I was a little girl. This year was as popular as ever with quite a few people, many of them families watching each performing window. The theme this year incorporated Luna Park & a Melbourne Christmas in the 1960s. It was quite well done.
After we watched the last colourful, musical window which ended the story, there was then a prominent single window of three lovely gold figurines of baby Jesus in his manger and Mary and Joseph looking down at him lovingly. Andrew and I talked briefly about the scene (and I was glad that Andrew recognised the baby as Jesus). It then hit me that nobody else was stopping to look. I saw in the reflection of the glass that a couple behind me glanced at the window as they walked past but they didn’t stop. Nobody stopped. It really saddened me and unexpected tears began to well. Here we had all these parents and children eagerly watching the “Luna park” themed Christmas story just adjacent to us but nobody was interested in stopping to look at the true Christmas Story. Not even for a brief moment. I thought to myself, “What has our society become? Is it really that secular now?” It seems that we are fast losing our Christian faith, and it’s sad, it’s concerning.
A bit later, Andrew and I arrived at Christmas Square where to my delight there was a nativity scene, and the story of Jesus’ birth was written on a board next to it. I noticed a young boy of about 10 years reading it and then I saw a Mum exclaiming to her young child, “Oh baby Jesus. Look, there’s baby Jesus!” This warmed my saddened heart and it restored my “faith” in our society a little.
I still wonder though if the true Christmas story has been lost amongst the masses. Amongst all the present buying and Santa Claus excitement, does the average person even pause to give one thought to the true meaning of Christmas? To the significance of the birth of Jesus and what He has done for us/for them?
I suppose it’s up to the rest of us to teach the true story and to encourage such thinking, such recognition and the true acknowledgement of Jesus.
