Reflections...

Meditations, Reflections, Bible Studies, and Sermons from Kowloon Union Church  

The Light Of Christ Shines

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on Sunday 25 December 2010, Christmas Day, by the Rev. Phyllis Wong. The scripture readings that day were Isaiah 52:7-10 and Luke 1:1-14.


May the grace of Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen

Merry Christmas!

Last night we had a great celebration in church. The church was full of people during the Service and many of them stay for the singing on the steps and the pot-luck supper. It was a great time of joy. I give thanks to God for all these.

Last night was a beautiful Service and celebration. Our church had hosted a big feast to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by embracing people from all walks of life. The essence of joy to the world is this kind of inclusion, acceptance and people treating each other equally.

The light of Christ shines when we embrace one another regardless of our differences in race, nationality, religion, age, gender, level of abilities, socio-economic status, sexual orientations and so on. We treat each other equally and with respect.

I saw many smiling faces last night. Church members and friends participated in the preparation of the Service and the Christmas celebration afterward. The drama prepared by our sisters and brothers (African brothers took a significant part) were wonderful. Sisters and brothers worked together in the Service for God. People brought food to share for the pot luck supper. We had a great variety of food last night. Many of them were very delicious. Many of you know our son like to eat. He commended that the food last night was the best he ever tried in KUC. We shared food, friendship and love in Christ. It is beautiful. The idea and essence of pot luck supper is the spirit of sharing. We bring what we have to share with other people. The more people bring, the more we can share with each others.

The light of Christ shines when we participate and share

We had a lot of works to do after the big celebration. Last night, our colleague ah Hing, our member Jenny and her friend were working hard to do the cleaning up late at night when people left the church. Jenny’s friend told me that she was happy to do the clean up for the sake of God. The floor shined again after their great efforts to clean the dirt. While we should not abuse the good heart and hard work of our sisters in doing this kind of dirty job, we should learn from these ladies of contributing what they have to serve the church and people in need.

The light of Christ shines when we contribute our gift of time and labor for others and to help those in need.

Today is a day that reminds me of Mr Liu Xiabo. He was jailed last year on a charge of subversion against the State. He was put in jail on the day we celebrate the birth of Christ who comes to the world to set people free. It is absurd. Isn’t it? What is ironic and a great embarrassment to the Chinese Government was, a man charged by the government for his political stand was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In this time of Christmas, we remember people like Liu Xiabo who have been fighting for social justice and liberation of humanity.

In this time of Christmas, we pray for these human rights activists, their families and their nations where wars and conflicts, human rights abuse and economic exploitation prevail.

The light of Christ shines when there are people deeply engaged and persist in bringing peace and justice to the world.

The reading this morning taken from Gospel John, telling us once again the life of Jesus Christ, manifests the incarnated God. Jesus Christ is the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness.

We are both the receivers and givers of God’s light.

The light of Christ shines upon us and give us new hope, joy, peace and love. Equally we are called to become Christ’s disciples to follow Jesus’ footstep to engage our life that bring light to others who are living in the darkness of isolation, discrimination, poverty and exploitation.

May the hope, joy, peace and love of God with you and all people in the world. Now and forever more. Amen.

# posted by Kowloon Union Church : Friday, December 31, 2010



<< Home

Archives

May 2004|July 2004|September 2004|November 2004|December 2004|April 2005|July 2005|August 2005|September 2005|October 2006|November 2006|December 2006|January 2007|February 2007|March 2007|April 2007|May 2007|July 2007|August 2007|September 2007|October 2007|November 2007|December 2007|January 2008|February 2008|March 2008|April 2008|May 2008|June 2008|July 2008|August 2008|September 2008|October 2008|November 2008|December 2008|January 2009|February 2009|March 2009|April 2009|May 2009|June 2009|July 2009|August 2009|September 2009|October 2009|November 2009|December 2009|January 2010|February 2010|March 2010|April 2010|May 2010|June 2010|July 2010|September 2010|October 2010|November 2010|December 2010|January 2011|February 2011|April 2011|May 2011|June 2011|July 2011|October 2011|November 2011|December 2011|January 2012|February 2012|March 2012|August 2012|September 2012|November 2012|December 2012|January 2013|February 2013|March 2013|April 2013|May 2013|June 2013|September 2013|October 2013|November 2013|December 2013|February 2014|March 2014|April 2014|May 2014|June 2014|July 2014|August 2014|September 2014|October 2014|November 2014|December 2014|January 2015|February 2015|March 2015|April 2015|July 2015|August 2015|October 2015|November 2015|December 2015|January 2016|February 2016|March 2016|April 2016|May 2016|June 2016|July 2016|August 2016|September 2016|October 2016|November 2016|December 2016|January 2017|February 2017|March 2017|April 2017|May 2017|June 2017|July 2017|August 2017|September 2017|October 2017|November 2017|December 2017|January 2018|February 2018|March 2018|April 2018|June 2018|July 2018|August 2018|September 2018|October 2018|November 2018|December 2018|January 2019|February 2019|March 2019|May 2019|June 2019|July 2019|August 2019|September 2019|October 2019|November 2019|December 2019|January 2020|February 2020|March 2020|April 2020|May 2020|June 2020|July 2020|August 2020|September 2020|October 2020|November 2020|December 2020|January 2021|February 2021|March 2021|April 2021|May 2021|June 2021|July 2021|August 2021|September 2021|October 2021|November 2021|December 2021|January 2022|February 2022|March 2022|April 2022|May 2022|June 2022|July 2022|August 2022|September 2022|October 2022|November 2022|December 2022|January 2023|February 2023|March 2023|April 2023|May 2023|June 2023|July 2023|August 2023|September 2023|October 2023|November 2023|December 2023|January 2024|February 2024|March 2024|
Archived sermons by the Barksdales

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?