Advent Reflection: Where is Jesus?
Below is a timely seasonal reflection by EAST Resident Faculty Rev Dr Lewis Winkler involving a true story of lost and found baby Jesus! Amidst the festivities, have you found the One who truly brings meaning to this season of Advent? Where is Jesus to you?
As part of our yearly Christmas traditions, our family erects a Nativity display, complete with a wooden stable, plastic barn animals, shepherds, an angel, three wise men, Mary and Joseph, and baby Jesus in a manger. One year, however, baby Jesus disappeared. Although we searched high and low, He seemed to have vanished into thin air. When Christmas was over, we reluctantly packed up the stable, animals, and other important figures in the Christmas story, but baby Jesus, who was supposed to be the central figure of the scene, was still missing.
CCH: Receive and Give as Jesus Gave
Christmas Greetings from EAST Leadership Team
Dear Friends,
Just returning from a trip to Manila, I saw that their eager anticipation for Christmas began as early as September evidenced by huge, colourful beautiful Christmas trees all over the city and shopping malls. They heighten the joyful Christmas feeling urging shoppers to snag a bargain for a gift. Magically, they instil the feeling of joy through Christmas carols, delightful and catchy jingle.
Alex Tang’s Advent Reflections – Blessed Hope
Dr Alex Tang, an adjunct faculty of EAST, is a man who wears many hats as a Senior Consultant Paediatrician at Johor Specialist Hospital, Associate Professor of Monash University School of Medicine in Malaysia, a member of many professional bodies, Chairman of the Johor Branch of the Malaysian Paediatric Association, founder of Spiritual Formation Institute at Holy Light Church in Johor Bahru and an elder at that church. He has recently penned an Advent Reflection for the upcoming Advent Season below.
Advent is my favourite season of the year. As the year draws to a close with numerous moments of drama, joy, and pain, I look forward to December, my designated Sabbath month: time for reflection, contemplation, and prayers. This is also the season of Advent, which always reminds me of hope. The first advent culminated in the birth of God incarnate to a young girl, and hope became flesh.
Advent, originating from ‘adventus,’ the Latin term for ‘coming,’ is a multifaceted season in the Christian calendar that transcends the mere anticipation of Christmas. It is a sacred period of spiritual introspection, a time for us to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the historical birth of Jesus Christ and contemplate His promised return. This dual nature of Advent imbues it with a depth and richness that is both reflective and forward-looking.
Happy, Blessed Christmas!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government is shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Happy Blessed Christmas to all as we celebrate Christ’s birth with great joy not just today but daily in our lives!
Blessed Christmas 2022
Blessed, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ahead as we celebrate the wondrous birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ anew!
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