Christmas Season: A Time to Worship and Give

Nana and Nemi are setting up our Christmas tree by themselves. 

As I watch them doing this, I reflect on how fast my children are growing. 

We used to do it for them, and now they do it on their own.

 

Christmas is often described as the most wonderful time of the year. There’s a unique joy and peace that fills the air during this season—an intangible warmth that manifests in decorations, lights, music, the giving of gifts, and even in the coolness of the weather. However, this joy is most profoundly experienced by those who recognize and appreciate the true origin of this holiday.

In different cultures, Christmas is celebrated for various reasons. For many business people, it's seen as an opportunity to increase profits, with consumers out buying gifts and decorations. But for me, every year I ask myself: What is the deeper meaning of Christmas? To understand this, I always turn to Scripture.

What Do The Wise Men of the East Teach Us?

By Ianpassion

Artwork of Nana, Nemi, and Mama 2022

Many of us are familiar with the story of the wise men from the east who followed the guidance of a star in the sky to find the child Savior.

What happened at the time is sometimes dramatized at our Christmas gatherings.  I  remember that I performed in a skit before about this. My role was that of a camel, and my friend was one of the wise men. My role as a camel and my friend on my back was difficult because I had to walk on my knees, but it was fun.

I Wrote These Articles In The Past, My Christmas Reflection

By Ianpassion
Picture was taken at Manang Viewpoint, Satun Province, Thailand 2021

What if the Son was not born? What if He offered salvation without His incarnation? Our Father is not only concerned with our redemption but as well as our happiness. He knew that through His birth He could express more of His love and share happiness with humanity.  What the Angel proclaimed that the Son’s birth would cause great joy for all the people is fulfilled (Luke 2:10). This season is about the begotten Son, so the focus is on Him, not on us. Read more here...

He came down from heaven and no human limitation or darkness in this world could discourage Him. He is committed. He could actually redeem us without His incarnation into human flesh (through a birth of a baby Son), but He thought of you and me... how could we experience His affection the most: His joy and felt His love. Read more here...

You might ask, what is new about the birth of the Son? It is a kindergarten story. Whatever possible reasons you have, allow me to simply elaborate on three important things about the Father's love through the birth of His Son. It is a fact that Christmas history began with the story of the Son 2,000 years ago when Rome was still in power. Some might deny this fact, but history tells us that there was a baby wrapped and placed in a manger. Read more here...

Whatever life takes us. Our breakthrough is today. Our breakthrough comes when we are broken. Be encouraged! Hold on to our dream. Our Father allows us to get up today from our bed because He is not finished with us yet.  This Christmas is about His immanence.  He is our Emmanuel, our loving Father who is with us (Mathew 1;23). He who promised not to leave us, and from him we got our inner drive to keep going. Read more here...

I Posted This Christmas Reflection Year 2018

By Ianpassion

Christmas is always the most wonderful season of the year. During this season we have reminded the most significant event in the history of the Basilica that the Transcendence Being took the human flesh in order to reach out to mankind.

That event tells us the commitment of the Father on sharing the family-culture of love that is from heavens to earth. We can now access heaven anytime and whoever is willing can be His sons and daughters and can enjoy the gift of the Father. 

Read more here...

About the Father's Love during the Pandemic and Christmas Season

By Ianpassion

This Christmas is all about the love of the Father.

Whatever we are going through in life, especially in the shadow of this pandemic, let us not get panic. Do not allow fear to drive us. We are not people of fear but faith.

When we are fully convinced that we are secured, like how my daughter felt on my back as I rappelled down the cliff, then nothing harm happened. I knew she was scared but she was not afraid. She could overcome her fear by fully trusting in my ability. I think this is similar to what the Almighty Father wants us to believe. He wants us to believe that He is the "Immanuel"--- He is with us and He is able.

This Christmas | Trust His Heart When You Don't See His Hands

By Ianpassion
@Sea of Clouds Manang, Satun, Thailand

I do not know what you are going through nowadays. You might be reading this post at the time that you are down and discouraged, struggling with your health, finances, relationship, or maybe you have a patient to care for. Thus, Christmas for you at this time of the year might not be a wonderful season. 

However, others may be the opposite. They can shop, buy new things,  eat nice food, and can spend their holiday abroad. They are healthy and wealthy. It looks like they do not have anything to worry about, no problems to ponder, no debts to take care of, and no relationship issues to settle. They have all the reasons to rejoice in this season of Christmas. However, the truth is, everybody has always something to face and overcome. Read more here...

Christmas: Our Father, The Affectionate Good Shepherd

By Ianpassion

The Scripture mentioned that our Almighty Father is our good Shepherd. No one can equate His dedication to the way He loves His sheep. Perhaps you have personally experienced this.  He has vowed to lay His life for you and me (see John 11:10). 

He came down from heaven and no human limitation or darkness in this world could discourage Him. He is committed. He could actually redeem us without His incarnation into human flesh (through a birth of a baby Son), but He thought of you and me... how could we experience His affection the most: His joy and felt His love.

I Wish You A Very Merry Christmas

By Ianpassion

Christmas is always the most wonderful season of the year. During this season we have reminded the most significant event in the history of the Basilica that the Transcendence Being took the human flesh in order to reach out to mankind.

That event tells us the commitment of the Father on sharing the family-culture of love that is from heavens to earth. We can now access heaven anytime and whoever is willing can be His sons and daughters and can enjoy the gift of the Father. 

How the Father's Love Revealed in this Christmas Season?

By Ianpasion
Photo credit: washington.com

I was so busy in the past few days, but today I have some time to write about my reflection on the Father's love revealed at the place where the Son was born. 

You might ask, what is new about the birth of the Son? It is a kindergarten story. Whatever possible reasons you have, allow me to simply elaborate on three important things about the Father's love through the birth of His Son. It is a fact that Christmas history began with the story of the Son 2,000 years ago when Rome was still in power. Some might deny this fact, but history tells us that there was a baby wrapped and placed in a manger. 

What if I have no Reasons to Celebrate Christmas?

By Ianpassion 

I do not know what you are going through nowadays. You might be reading this post at the time that you are down and discouraged, struggling with your health, finances, relationship, or maybe you have a patient to care for. Thus, Christmas for you at this time of the year might not be a wonderful season. 

However, others may be the opposite. They can shop, buy new things,  eat nice food, and can spend their holiday abroad. They are healthy and wealthy. It looks like they do not have anything to worry about-- no problems to ponder, no debts to take care of, and no relationship issues to settle. It seems they have all the reasons to rejoice in this season of Christmas. However, the truth is, everybody has always something to face and overcome.

Jingle Bells Abroad: True Meaning of Christmas

By Ianpassion

When you are abroad especially in a far country, miles away from big cities, Christmas might not be an unimportant event. Villagers may think that Christmas is a western celebration about Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, and jingle bells. Having no theological foundation for Christmas may fall following unscriptural traditions or copying rituals from others.

Here I discuss three important basic points which Christmas is not all about. I hope that after reading this, you may reflect again on the true meaning of Christmas and realign yourself back to the real essence of the celebration.  

Short Message: What is Christmas?

By Ianpassion

I have been meditating...CHRISTMAS. 


Without the Christmas tree, the colored lights, and the gifts prepared by my wife, I would never feel it is coming.