Chris Gnanakan

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year as Christians around the world commemorate the birth of Christ. But have you examined some of the myths that surround the nativity depicted by “the crib”. For instance, did you know that the shepherds and the wisemen could not have been in the same scene. The wisemen came to a house and saw Jesus as a child about two years later! And, who said there were only three of them? I must confess there are times I miss the “white” Christmas’ we had the last four years in England. But familiar with the middle eastern climate, whenever I see snow (cotton) around the manger, I know something is just not “right”!

We may be mistaken on the details of Christ’s birth but the Bible is clear that “when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son…” (Gal.4:4).  Jesus’ coming into the world (Advent) took place at the right time in terms of the historical event (chronos) as well as the opportune moment (kairos). Studying the times of Jesus of Nazareth, one can see how the Roman government (Pax Romana), Greek learning and Hebrew religiosity, culturally and socio-politically prepared the way for Christ and advanced the spread of his teachings. It was, I would say, the ”ripe” time. Whenever God acts, it is the right time and it calls for an appropriate response. There are some amazing facts related to that first Christmas that show us, God is always right and right on time… (more…)

 by M.R. DeHaan

What’s all this hectic rush and hurry?
Where go these crowds that run and scurry?
Why all the lights – the Christmas trees?
The Jolly ‘fat man’, tell me pleasse!

Why don’t you know? This is the day
For parties and for fun and play;
Why, this is Christmas! (more…)

No matter where we happen to be, the mention of our native place or “hometown” can recreate fond memories and associations. “Bethlehem” focuses our thoughts on a precise time in history and transports us to a particular place in Palestine where Christmas happened (Lk.2:4). Importantly, it tells the story of a peculiar way in which God revealed himself and his loving purposes to us.

A twofold belief in most religions is that there is ultimate reality other than us who can be known, and that there is a moral problem that keeps us from knowing and experiencing God’s blessing. Whatever separates us from God makes us unworthy to be near him, links fear to religion and warrants some kind of appeasement or sacrifice. Hence there has always been a universal quest to locate and know God (one has to learn to be an atheist!)

Christian faith is unique in that at Bethlehem we find God on a quest! Amidst the commercialization and confusions that surround Christmas celebrations, Bethlehem reminds us that God did come to us in flesh. Jesus, “born in Bethlehem that day”, desires by his Spirit to be born in us today. This little town was God’s hometown and if we believe in what it gave the world – a Savior, it can become our hometown! How come? (more…)

The two great fears that characterise our post-modern, hi-tech age are loneliness and despair. We have actively filled life with things that paradoxically leave us empty and disillusioned. Notice how we get what we want then don’t want what we got! We compare ourselves with others and find everything seems relative. We perennially crave for “something more” hoping that “the next best thing” would really  satisfy. Our materialistic lifestyles can give us more to live with and less to live for. Today, we have more time-saving gadgets but less time for leisure. We deny absolutes yet thirst for true meaning and purpose. We long for enduring relationships and if we find one, we become so possessive or protective of it, that this produces another kind of fear!

The Biblical account of creation clarifies two important truths about our human make up: we are created in divine likeness and for divine fellowship. God desires to share his life with us and has designed us to be whole only when we are in a proper relationship with him. The fact that our sinfulness separate us from God’s holiness, underlines our need for God’s loving and forgiving presence and our empty, restless lives in spite of possessions reveal this built-in need. That first Christmas, the name given to the Christ-child was ‘Immanuel’ which means “God is with us” (Matt.1:23). More accurately, this prophetic title is descriptive of who Jesus is and what a relationship with him can bring: true companionship, comfort and community… (more…)

I struggle getting gifts for family and loved ones especially at Christmas time. The difficulty lies in selecting the best possible gift. My predicament is threefold: First, they may already have what I’m planning to get them.  Second, they may not care to value or use it. Third, given they really need it, I worry if I have the means to pay for that gift! Have you faced a similar dilemma? The issue is whether a gift can been ‘afforded’ and then ‘received’ with appreciation.

God knew our problem of sin and need for forgiveness and fellowship and so God promised to give us an appropriate gift. He announced it through the prophets who clearly recorded it in the Scriptures: ‘For to us a child is born, to us a Son is gifted ’ (Isa.9:6). God is both able and faithful. He loved us enough that he gave  his one and unique Son to be our Savior. God expects us to believe in who Jesus is and receive his offer of salvation (Jn.3:16; 1:12). The Bible has much to say about gift-giving and Christmas… (more…)

Through an angel God announced to lowly shepherds the most significant event in cosmic history. The saying was plain yet profound: “Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord” (Lk.2:11). Did you know that “Christ-mas” was the name given to the day a special religious service or “mass” was conducted to celebrate the birth of “Christ”? We must remember that Mary “brought forth” what God in eternity past had planned, “chosen” and “sent forth” (missio Dei ; Gal.4:4). Let us not get all bogged down with the exact date  for Christmas that we forget that wondrous fact  that Christ came and… we must go. The doctrine of the incarnation is an intrinsic part of the gospel (good news) with an impelling “go” in it! God’s disclosure of his salvation in Jesus is linked to Christian mission. How? (more…)

Watching world politics and following its economic concerns, I feel it’s time to take our lemons and make some lemonade! I’m reflecting on some socio-religious, cultural trends…

 First, Globalization is here to stay, whether we like it or not, the world today has shrunk and we are all wired together! In spite of the IMF and WTO or AMWAY for that matter, most people today are like me – “international”! Second. McDonaldization, often equated with Americanization, we live in a consumerist, instant, ‘have it your way’, lov’ in society, where even Christianity is packaged and marketed a certain way (Have you watched televangelists?) In Asia, we have third-culture neither here or there ‘coconut kids’- brown on the outside but white on the inside (more…)

Historically, Indian Missions admit to the power in people movements and the Christian Forum for Child Development (CFCD–India) is one that God has generated. CFCD was birthed in October 2008 as a result of spontaneous responses from a group of Christian theologians and practitioners, burdened at the plight of children in crisis and committed to construct an Indian Child Theology (CT) for Holistic Child Development (HCD). (more…)