I praise the Lord for His loving kindness and mercy in my life. Though I have failed Him many times, He continues to draw me back to Himself.

The Advent season reminds me of waiting with hope and expectation. Though in my personal life, there are many uncertainties, there is a sure certainty in Advent season. The promised Saviour was born in a humble manger to redeem us and gives us hope to not be alone in our struggles and trials, that the Lord is Emmanuel – God is with us.

Recently, because of the cyclone-triggered flood and landslide, more than 900 people died in Sumatra, Indonesia. Many people are still left with no food, no resources. Many houses are destroyed, families separated with their houses and stores destroyed. In times like these, they are without hope, please help pray for them to find hope or that it will lead them to Christ this season.

When God is not involved in our lives, we are walking in the path of destruction without hope. We need Him to intervene, strengthen and guide us so that when it's all dark and hopeless around us, He will be our Light who will make a way out and turn all for good. Emmanuel, the Lord is with us, let Jesus be your hope and anchor this season.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

May we continue to walk with Him as we finish this year and march to the new one with bold and renewed hope and faith!

Matthew 1: 23
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)

- Jenni Wang

One afternoon, a little girl lingered in front of a thrift shop, studying the items displayed in the window. After taking her time, she stepped inside and shyly asked to see a necklace with a small pearl pendant.

The shopkeeper, Dan, brought it to the counter. The moment she saw it, her eyes sparkled. “It’s perfect,” she said softly. “Could you wrap it for me, please? My sister would love it. She’s been taking care of us since our mom passed away, and I want to give her something special for our first Christmas without her.” Dan looked at her gently and asked, “How much do you have to pay for it?”

The little girl untied a cloth bundle and poured its contents onto the counter. There were stacks of coins, a few folded dollar bills, and a well worn Snoopy watch. “I emptied all my savings,” she said earnestly. “That watch is the only one I have. Will it be enough?”

Dan picked up the necklace and asked her name. “Lily Grace,” she replied.

With a warm smile, Dan disappeared into the back room. He returned moments later with a beautifully wrapped gift box, a Christmas card attached, Lily Grace’s name written neatly inside.
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Days later, on Christmas Eve, a young woman walked into Dan’s shop holding the same package Lily Grace had purchased. “Do you remember who bought this?” she asked.

“A little girl named Lily Grace,” Dan replied. “She bought it for her sister for their first Christmas.”
“It must have cost much more than she could afford,” she said. “How much is it really worth? I would like to pay the difference.”

Dan gently handed the package back to her and said, “She paid with everything she had. That is exactly how much it is worth.”

This Christmas, may we rejoice in the truth that we are no longer a slave but through Jesus Christ, we receive the gift of adoption of Sonship; we have been gifted Heaven’s Best to redeem us from the condemnation and curse of the law to receive free flowing loving mercy, grace and daily favours. Jesus paid with everything that He had to redeem us, that is how much you and I are worth to Him. Rejoice for we are redeemed by a Good Saviour who loves us unconditionally.

Jesus Christ, He is the greatest gift of all. 
 
Galatians 4: 4 – 7
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
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- Irene Soon