Good News
I find trusting the "news" rather difficult. I rarely take time to read the news; I always find it rather depressing. Because we all live the news in our own lives, I figure that what happens to each of us on a daily basis is truly more noteworthy than anything I could read online. Plus, with all the rumor floating around on the World Wide Web, I never know who to believe.
A week or so ago, the KIA teaching staff was informed that a large, hardware chain-store in the States felt that it should no longer sell Christmas trees. Well, that is not the whole truth. What we were told is that this large corporation felt that it should continue selling the trees, but that it should change the names to "family trees" instead, steering clear of any religious names. Then we found out from online sources that Santa Clauses in the States are no longer allowed to say "Ho! Ho! Ho!" While the true reason for this has been lost amongst a number of theories, at least one theory states, once again, that the reason lies in an attempt to avoid any religious connotations.
I am not one to "muckrake," but I am glad that I reside in a country where I can still say "Sheng Dan Jie kuai le" to anyone, and not worry whether or not he or she believes as I do, fearing that I might hurt his or her feelings. I thank Him for whom this Holiday Season is named that I can still refer to a "Sheng Dan Shu" when I place my ornaments, lights, and star on an evergreen. In some ways, I feel like I have greater freedom of speech here than many of you have elsewhere. And to that I say, "Glory Hallelujah!"
This "Sheng Dan Shu" stands in the entry of the hotel where our school performed its annual Christmas concert. The Santa Claus standing to the right of the tree sings, dances, and says, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" On the two nights of our concert, we performed traditional Christmas carols, and showed the Luke account of the first Christmas, all with government officials present.
During the concert, children from all around the globe gathered clothed in dress from their native lands and sang of the Nativity. The explained the implications of the wreath, the candy cane, and the Gift for all who wanted to hear.
Here, Nathan, a senior at KIA, and Victor, a graduate of KIA (2006), glorify the One for whom the season is named with what small gift they can: a guitar, a drum, and a voice.
On the large screen at the front of the auditorium, grade school students told why they enjoy Christmas: Presents, cookies, the tree. However, they also explained the most important reason for celebrating Christmas; it lies in the name: Christ-mass.
A troupe of high school students even depicted how The Blood triumphs over evil, performing a "human video" to Toby Mac's "One World." All of this infront of anyone willing to listen.
I do not know what knews you have heard, but if you have not heard the Good News, you have been reading the wrong literature. Far be it from me to tell anyone what to believe; all I ask is that anyone who wants be allowed to listen.
Arise! Shine! A Light has come! People living in darkness have seen a Great Light!
Merry Christmas to everyone.
A week or so ago, the KIA teaching staff was informed that a large, hardware chain-store in the States felt that it should no longer sell Christmas trees. Well, that is not the whole truth. What we were told is that this large corporation felt that it should continue selling the trees, but that it should change the names to "family trees" instead, steering clear of any religious names. Then we found out from online sources that Santa Clauses in the States are no longer allowed to say "Ho! Ho! Ho!" While the true reason for this has been lost amongst a number of theories, at least one theory states, once again, that the reason lies in an attempt to avoid any religious connotations.
I am not one to "muckrake," but I am glad that I reside in a country where I can still say "Sheng Dan Jie kuai le" to anyone, and not worry whether or not he or she believes as I do, fearing that I might hurt his or her feelings. I thank Him for whom this Holiday Season is named that I can still refer to a "Sheng Dan Shu" when I place my ornaments, lights, and star on an evergreen. In some ways, I feel like I have greater freedom of speech here than many of you have elsewhere. And to that I say, "Glory Hallelujah!"
This "Sheng Dan Shu" stands in the entry of the hotel where our school performed its annual Christmas concert. The Santa Claus standing to the right of the tree sings, dances, and says, "Ho! Ho! Ho!" On the two nights of our concert, we performed traditional Christmas carols, and showed the Luke account of the first Christmas, all with government officials present.During the concert, children from all around the globe gathered clothed in dress from their native lands and sang of the Nativity. The explained the implications of the wreath, the candy cane, and the Gift for all who wanted to hear.Here, Nathan, a senior at KIA, and Victor, a graduate of KIA (2006), glorify the One for whom the season is named with what small gift they can: a guitar, a drum, and a voice.On the large screen at the front of the auditorium, grade school students told why they enjoy Christmas: Presents, cookies, the tree. However, they also explained the most important reason for celebrating Christmas; it lies in the name: Christ-mass.A troupe of high school students even depicted how The Blood triumphs over evil, performing a "human video" to Toby Mac's "One World." All of this infront of anyone willing to listen.I do not know what knews you have heard, but if you have not heard the Good News, you have been reading the wrong literature. Far be it from me to tell anyone what to believe; all I ask is that anyone who wants be allowed to listen.
Arise! Shine! A Light has come! People living in darkness have seen a Great Light!
Merry Christmas to everyone.
posted by Roland at 1:58 PM
1 Comments:
Your powerful statement drives a dagger into our hearts. To live in a "free" country that suppresses freedom of speech feels as though heavy weights have been hung on our arms, our lips have been sewn shut with twine and a large stone is teetering above our heads. Thank you for your insight and the freedom that you have.
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