Christmas will not be the same this year. But COVID-19 is not the only reason why it can be memorable.
By Sue Yin Wong
#2020 as a year (or hashtag!) has upended every element of life as we know it. School, work, play, sleep, eat, and church – no stone was left unturned. Every event had to be postponed, revamped, or called off.
As individuals, social, and corporate bodies, we have experienced extreme disruptions in a very short period of time. Such yo-yos of isolation to hyper-connectedness have wreaked havoc on our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Will this be the watermark of 2020 – a roller-coaster ride where most are barely managing to hang on ?
This ride is not over yet. There is one last event that the world will experience in this year of pandemic – Christmas.
Celebrations then and now
Christmas is traditionally a grand affair. Churches, homes, and shopping malls, are decorated to the nines. Parties are thrown with classic Christmas fare – things we only eat once a year (read: turkey). With Christmas music, Christmas entertainment, and Christmas advertisements, many consider it the most wonderful time of the year.
This year, Christmas feels different. Gatherings are restricted. Orchard Road, once dazzling with lights and decorations, feels subdued. Even Trinity’s Christmas traditions have been impacted.
With no large-scale production and Family Christmas going online, what’s left to celebrate this year?
The first celebration
As this question ran through my head, I am reminded of the time of Jesus’ birth over two centuries ago. Born among farm animals and placed in a manger, humble surroundings was how the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords entered our world.
What’s more, the first Christmas was a disruption like no other. Amid everyday life, a divine messenger appeared before everyday people (shepherds) in an everyday setting (fields).
What an extraordinary message! And when the shepherds sought and saw baby Jesus, they could not keep this to themselves. Immediately, they went about town to spread the Good News.
I can imagine what they might have shouted as they ran through the streets. "Everyone, the Messiah is here! Our Savior has been born! We have seen Him with our own eyes! Praise God for His love! Praise God for His faithfulness!"
Everyday people with an extraordinary message. Everyday people celebrating an extraordinary event. This is the example the shepherds leave for us to follow.
Our turn to celebrate
Christmas will not be the same this year. But celebrations continue because there is something worth celebrating. There is Good News worth spreading!
Through the Christmas Premier Parties (December 12-24), our humble homes and everyday settings can be the place where we share an extraordinary message. Though gatherings are smaller (up to five per household), they are wonderfully reminiscent of how Mary and Joseph hosted the shepherds in a small, intimate setting.
While having a divine messenger would be quite spectacular, you and I have something just as impactful: our testimonies. When share of the many ways Jesus has transformed our lives, every story is proof that the Good News is for everyone in every season.
Though churches remain closed, the church remains open in our homes and in our hearts. As we prepare to host family and friends for a Christmas Premier Party, let’s believe that this disruption will be one worth celebrating and remembering for years to come.
Be part of Trinity's Christmas Premiere Parties!
Besides food and fun, the highlight of this year's parties will be the exclusive premier of our short film, Your Love Is Enough, starring Moses Lim.
Click here for details on how to become a Party Organizer
Click here to register to attend a party
Reflect
What does Christmas mean to you?
Who can you share the Good News with this Christmas?
Who can you invite to your Christmas Premier Party this month?
Who can you invite to join our online Christmas Eve and Family Christmas Services?
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