A Danish Christmas Tale (Chapter 8)

Hello All

What gifts are you hoping to receive this Christmas?

Gifts come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are neatly packaged and others are haphazardly wrapped. Some givers couldn’t even be bothered to wrap the gifts they bought.

But there are gifts that cannot be contained in a box. Those gifts are given to us by God. Let us ponder a while about such gifts.

A good night’s sleep is a gift we often take for granted. Those who struggle with insomnia will understand the value of a good night’s sleep.

Our talents and intellect are gifts that are to be used not for our own glory but for God’s glory alone.

Even our five senses – hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste – are wonderful gifts that we don’t even give a second thought to.

Relationships are also gifts from God…

A Danish Christmas Tale

Chapter 8: Christmas Eve

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (17 October 2016)

Dedicated to a dear friend who inspired the poem.

A church service was held on Christmas Eve morn’

To commemorate the day when Jesus was born

He came to earth to bear our sins and He was scorned

He was abandoned, deserted, mocked and forlorn

The service ended with people leaving gaily

Ted breathed a deep sigh of relief, ‘Well, finally!’

He took off his tight reverend collar casually

Laura said, ‘It’s Christmas Eve! Let’s get ready!’

Everyone prepared for the family dinner

Ashley sat down for a while, looking rather somber

Cindy came and sat down quietly beside her

Sometimes, no words were needed for one to feel better

After a while, Ashley found some words to utter

‘I wonder what has become of my bad father?

We used to leave him food supply in the gutter

Where he is right now - I do not have an answer’

‘Maybe God knows it’s for the better,’ said Cindy

‘It may be time to release the bad memory’

Tears of trauma flowed from Ashley’s blue eyes freely

She was kindly embraced by her dear friend, Cindy

Delicious food was served for Christmas Eve dinner

Paul and Claire cracked jokes and Ted had fun with banters

Laura, Ashley, and Cindy were cleaning platters

The house was filled with singing, music, and laughter

‘I have a gift for you,’ said Ashley to Cindy

‘That’s nice. Thank you so much,’ said Cindy gratefully

‘Giving gifts reminds me of God’s gift of mercy

Jesus Christ is God’s greatest gift to you and me’

THE END…

Points for Reflection:

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 6:23 ESV)

·         The friendship between Ashley and Cindy was God’s gift to them. Cindy’s quiet presence comforted Ashley in a way that words could not.

·         God has created us for relationships. No Christian is meant to be an island.

·         Take a moment to thank God for the relationships that He has blessed you with. Do you know of someone who needs to be comforted? How could you be sharing God’s comfort with others?

·         Many of us tend to be so focussed on human relationships that we forget about the most important relationship - our relationship with God.

·         Jesus Christ is God’s greatest Gift to us - a free Gift that did not come cheap but cost Jesus His life.

·         Our sins have separated us from a holy God and made us His enemies. It is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we have been reconciled to God. Because of God’s mercy, those of us who trust in Christ have no fear of death for Christ has removed death’s bitter sting. In place of death, we can look forward to an eternity of bliss with God in heaven.

·         Have you lost the excitement of being a recipient of such a wonderful Gift? Has your heart been distracted by all the other gifts in the world? Rediscover your joy this Christmas in God’s greatest Gift – Jesus Christ!

A Danish Christmas Tale (Chapter 7)

Hello All,

Have you ever counted down the days to an anticipated event? Do you remember the excitement you felt in the process?

Advent is a period of anticipation for Christmas Day. It constitutes four preceding Sundays before Christmas.

Are you looking forward to Christmas? What is it about Christmas that excites you?

A Danish Christmas Tale

Chapter 7: Advent

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (17 October 2016)

Dedicated to a dear friend who inspired the poem.

Christmas was closing in and just a month away

Folks in town were busy preparing for the day

Many were excited, jovial, happy and gay

Preparation for the big day was underway

‘Remember to blow out the calendar candle’

Laura told the girls who were reading the Bible

It was a tradition for the Danish people

To countdown to Christmas each day with the candle

‘This month should be free from protests!’ laughed Ashley

‘No liberals’ demonstrations in the city!’

‘You look troubled. Is everything alright, Cindy?’

‘I’m fearful of those demonstrations, Ashley…’

‘But they have been peaceful so far, right?’ asked Ashley

‘Things can go wrong. My mom and dad died…’ said Cindy

‘I’m so sorry. That must have been painful, Cindy’

‘I still dream about my mom and dad… frequently

It’s like they’re still somewhere in the vicinity

I can’t process their death. It feels unreal to me’

Ashley said, ‘It hurts losing those you loved dearly

On this earth, we grieve, but not for eternity

On this earth, we mourn, but not like those without hope

On this earth, we groan, but not like those who mope

On this earth, we weep, but God’s grace will help us cope

We cling on to Jesus Christ, our life-saving rope’

TO BE CONTINUED…

Points for Reflection:

Come, Lord Jesus!

(Revelation 22:20b ESV)

·         Christmas is the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into this world.

·         Advent is a period that represents the anticipation of Christians for Christ’s return to earth, not as a baby, but as a glorified King.

·         We know that life on earth is brief. It is like a candle that burns down and eventually burns out.

·         The candle of Cindy’s parents burnt out too soon. They were too young to die. Their death brought her much grief.

·         But her grieving was not from a position of hopelessness. Deep in her heart, she knew that they had gone home to be with the Lord. They were in a better place and in God’s perfect timing, she will likewise depart from this earth to be with her Lord.

·         Are you grieving the death of someone you hold dear? Do you know of someone in grief?

·         Grieving is a process that should not be rushed. It is a period of healing that God has granted to us. Grieve, but not without hope. Grieve with full assurance that they are with the Lord.

·         This assurance enables to say, ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’

A Danish Christmas Tale (Chapter 6)

Hello All,

Have you ever tried very hard to push away unpleasant memories? Have you ever attempted to eject those painful memories through various forms of distraction?

Distractions may help for the short term but in the long term, we find feelings of sadness, anger and anxiety resurfacing without any apparent reason.

We often push those memories away instead of dealing with them, reflecting on them and bringing them to God in prayer. Because of that, we are often unable to link our feelings with those memories.

A Danish Christmas Tale

Chapter 6: Friendship in Bloom

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (17 October 2016)

Dedicated to a dear friend who inspired the poem.

Their friendship flourished and bloomed as the weeks flew by

Stories were shared over tea and bread made from rye

They shared scrumptious Danish cookies and custard pies

Food has connected folks in ways we can’t deny

They were reading books in the library one day

‘Ashley, I think I have recalled something today’

Surprised, Ashley asked, ‘Oh, is everything okay?’

Cindy thought a while of what she wanted to say

‘Piano lessons were a dreadful affair for me

My mind has sought to repress all my memory

I was a stubborn child; perhaps even lazy

My piano teacher hit me when she was angry’

Cindy looked down dolefully in retrospection

‘That must have been hard,’ said Ashley with compassion

Cindy asked Ashley after some contemplation:

‘Would it be better to have no recollection?’

‘It’s better to remember the trauma and pain

Than to bury them in ignorance and disdain

It’s better to recall them again and again

Than having the feelings, but no memory, of pain

Only then can emotional healing take place

Only then can we find healing in God’s embrace

Let us continue following God in good pace

For there will be a day when all hurts are erased’

I was hurt by the one who should have cared for me

Each night I remember the dreadful memory

But I know that God’s healing is taking place slowly

Great is His compassion, faithfulness, and mercy’

TO BE CONTINUED…

Points for Reflection:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV)

·         Cindy was not consciously pushing away painful memories. She was a victim of mistreatment at a young, tender age. Her unconscious mind, which was acting as a form of defense mechanism, sought to repress those painful memories.

·         However, over the course of time, those memories resurfaced. Although it was painful to relive the traumatic experiences in her mind, Ashley knew that her friend had finally embarked on a long journey to recovery.

·         Both Ashley and Cindy experienced traumatic abuse in their childhood. With the comfort that Ashley had received from God in prayer, she, in turn, comforted her dear friend.

·         Christ experienced excruciating suffering on the cross. He was cruelly scorned, whipped 39 times and His hands and feet were nailed to a cross. He understands our pain for He has borne them on the cross. He died in our place to spare us the pain of facing God’s eternal judgment for our sin. Those who trust in Christ are spared from the greatest pain of mankind. Isn’t that comforting to hear?

·         What unpleasant or painful memories have you been attempting to push away? Why don’t you bring your struggles to God in prayer?

·         Do you know of anyone struggling with such memories? Pray for them. Comfort them. Remind them of God’s love.

A Danish Christmas Tale (Chapter 5)

Hello All,

Music is God’s gift to mankind.

It is a gift that inspires and touches the hearts of those who hear it.

It captures the emotions of words expressed from the core of one’s being. Words uttered between men. Words uttered by men in an earnest prayer to God. Words expressed by God to men through the Bible, His living Word.

A Danish Christmas Tale

Chapter 5: A Lovely Tune

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (17 October 2016)

Dedicated to a dear friend who inspired the poem.

The bell rang and a day at school came to an end

The students walked home happily with their good friends

‘Cindy, are you looking forward to the weekend?’

Ashley tried her best to converse with her new friend

‘No… I mean, not really,’ Cindy looked down sadly

‘I am really sorry to hear that,’ said Ashley

‘Where do you live? Do you live nearby?’ asked Ashley

‘I live in the orphanage nearby,’ said Cindy

‘How long have you lived there?’ Ashley asked concernedly

‘When my parents died a month ago,’ said Cindy

‘I am really sorry,’ said Ashley dolefully

Some silence ensued between Ashley and Cindy

‘Would you like to look around the church?’ asked Ashley

Cindy nodded and Ashley led her eagerly

‘Well, here we are. This is the main sanctuary’

‘Here are the pews, the paintings, the candles… Cindy?’

Something else had attracted Cindy’s attention 

A lovely grand piano – the church’s lead instrument

‘Could you play a tune?’ Ashley asked with excitement

Cindy’s eyes lit up with great anticipation

A lovely tune emanated from her fingers

It was sweet and simple, like a gentle whisper

It was sad but hopeful, like a tender prayer

To Ashley’s ears, it was a tune like no other

‘That was beautiful,’ Ashley’s blue eyes brimmed with tears

‘The tune has touched my heart and not only my ears

It’s a prayer uttered in times of anguish and fear

It’s reminded me of God’s love throughout the years’

‘So, how did you learn piano? Who taught you to play?’

She looked lost and confused; she didn’t know what to say

‘I don’t know… I can’t recall who taught me to play…’

Ashley said, ‘It’s okay. You may recall someday’

TO BE CONTINUED…

Points for Reflection:

[1] I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

[3] He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.

(Psalm 40:1,3a ESV)

·         God comforted Ashley through Cindy’s lovely tune.

·         The words of Ashley’s prayers were captured in a sweet and simple melody.

·         God reminded her of His love and faithfulness throughout the years of traumatic experiences and memories of them.

·         Cindy’s sweet and simple melody captured not only the words of Ashley’s prayers but hers as well.

·         Her prayers were expressed from a heart grieving over the death of her parents. God heard her cry and comforted not only her but Ashley as well.

·         Has God ever comforted you through a song? Do you know of anyone who needs to be reminded of God’s love through a song? Who could you be sharing that song with?

A Danish Christmas Tale (Chapter 4)

Hello All,

Have there been times in your life when you did not get the punishment you deserved but received mercy instead?

Have you been delivered from tense and difficult situations when you least expect it?

A Danish Christmas Tale

Chapter 4: Colder than the Outside Air

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (17 October 2016)

Dedicated to a dear friend who inspired the poem.

It was another torrential night for Ashley

She sat curled up on her bed and wept desperately

‘Why won’t the past leave me alone?’ she thought sadly

‘My dear Lord, please hear my prayer and deliver me’

The hours crawled by before dawn finally ensued

Although sleep did not come, she felt her strength renewed

The sleepless nights of tearful prayers she valued

For there will be a day when all hurts will be healed

It was Monday morning and Ashley got ready

She took her school bag and left her room quietly

Her school was held at home as well (expectedly)

She went to her classroom that was warm and cozy

Being the first to arrive, she laid her bag down

She surveyed the cozy classroom and looked around

She looked around and a box of matches she found

She lit the hearth, headed to her chair and sat down

She was dozing off when she heard the door opened

She arose from her slumber and around she turned

A girl entered; her face was gloomy and sullen

She must be a new student for she looked different

The girl sat in the furthest and hidden corner

Ashley mustered up some courage and approached her

‘Hello, may I sit beside you?’ Ashley asked her

The girl removed her bag from the seat beside her

The girl’s presence was colder than the outside air

But the fireplace was colder than her fiery stare

Her searing stare was as fiery as her red hair

The combination of both hot and cold was rare

‘My name’s Ashley. What’s yours?’ Ashley said with a smile

The girl frowned, folded her arms and pondered awhile

‘Cindy,’ she said as she stared at the wood floor tile

Ashley thought, ‘Maybe she’ll warm up after a while’

Classes began with Mathematics – Geometry

‘God, why must we learn Mathematics?’ thought Ashley

The hour on Geometry felt like infinity

It felt like an eternity of agony

‘Ashley,’ the teacher called the day-dreaming Ashley

‘Yes, Ms Anna?’ her heart raced with anxiety

‘Please write your answer on the board,’ she said sternly

‘Yes, Ms Anna,’ poor Ashley nodded nervously

She got up slowly and prayed, ‘Oh God, please help me!’

A crumpled piece of paper was shoved to Ashley

It contained the answer written down by Cindy!

She smiled and wrote the answer on the board gladly

TO BE CONTINUED…

Points for Reflection:

Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 ESV)

·         The day-dreaming and inattentive Ashley deserved punishment from Ms Anna for her laziness. Ashley prayed to God for help in that desperate moment.

·         God answered her cry for help through Cindy although she clearly did not deserve it. He showed her the mercy she did not deserve.

·         Who do you turn to for help in times of desperation? Do you turn to God in prayer or to your own resources?

·         We are to pray without ceasing and give thanks to God in all circumstances, even if God does not deliver us from our predicaments.

·         The Gospel is about sinners receiving the salvation we do not deserve through Jesus Christ who bore our punishment. The Gospel is the greatest deliverance of all time and the greatest gift we do not deserve. Have you received it? 

A Danish Christmas Tale (Chapter 3)

Hello All,

Have you ever been disappointed with the poor number of attendance for an occasion?

Have you ever thought to yourself that, ‘It is just us and the four walls’?

A Danish Christmas Tale

Chapter 3: ‘Just Us and the Four Walls’

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (17 October 2016)

Dedicated to a dear friend who inspired the poem.

The sound of footsteps echoed from the empty hall

'It looks like we have others coming after all'

Ashley said, 'It won’t be just us and the four walls'

Walking towards their direction were Claire and Paul

'Well, good morning,' said Claire, a cousin of Ashley

'Good morning. What brings you and Paul here so early?'

Ted asked Claire who was not known for punctuality

'Claire wanted to join the protest but thankfully

I managed to coax her to attend church instead

For we never know what dangers may lie ahead

In this sensitive and controversial parade'

Paul, who had been married to Claire for four years, said

Claire said, 'Instead of fighting for democracy

I thought it would be of more benefit to me

To stand up for women's rights and equality'

Her emerald green eyes beamed enthusiastically

Claire inquired, 'Where is Aunt Laura, by the way?'

Ashley said, 'Mum will come on time with no delay

Not a minute earlier or later, I must say

She never fails to come on time every Sunday'

Ted exclaimed, 'Oh well, here comes your dearest mother!'

Laura said, 'The streets are crowded with protesters!

Tell me, how did you and Ted manage to enter?'

'Well, through the back door of the church,' was Claire's answer

'Oh yes, that obscure door,’ Laura said knowingly

‘Should we wait a while for more to come?’ asked Ashley

‘Or it’ll just be us and the pews!’ said Claire candidly

‘Us and God. Let’s wait a while,’ said Ted hopefully

TO BE CONTINUED…

Points for Reflection:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

(Matthew 1:23 ESV)

·         Immanuel means God with us. Jesus is the Word who came to earth as a Baby and dwelt among man. It is through Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit dwells in those who trust in Him.

·         However, it is all too natural for us to forget that God is with us. Ashley and Claire were concerned that they were the only ones gathered for the church service and they subconsciously forgot that God was with them.

·         Are there times in your life when you forget that God is with you? Does it often feel that it is just you against the world?

·         The next time you feel that way, just remember that God is always with you and you do not have to fear what comes your way, no matter how daunting it may be.