Celebrating Christmas, the Indian way
Auckland’s Mercy Gates Christian Fellowship concept of the Millionaire Hotseat was the show stopper at the Indian Christmas Celebration program on 15-Dec-2013. The audiences were kept captivated by a thrilling Millionaire Hotseat concept where the antagonist, Nevil Bulsari was challenged on his contemporary views on Christmas by the protagonist, Abel Boodle.
The joy in celebrating Christmas has been commercially hidden by advertising and contemporary ways of thinking. People have crafted traditions, customs and the truth to take away the real reason behind celebration of Christmas. People now a days, find joy in worldly experiences that have been crafted by their contemporary views on lifestyles and seek pleasure in material gifts that have been shaped by commercial activities of Santa Clause and shopping bargains. The true joy of Christmas however lies in rejoicing that God gave his son Jesus Christ on this day to gift him to the world and save us all from the debt of sin to bring salvation.
Salvation is not found in good works, charity, acts of random kindness or good deeds which prosperity preachers around the world have carved into the minds of people. At first blush there would appear to be nothing wrong to label things like good deeds as “positive and encouraging”. Contemporary preachers, event organiser and TV show producers also offer positive and encouraging programming for the whole family. The appeal is obvious as no one wants to spend a lot of time dwelling on things that are negative and discouraging. However, this desire to provide people with a positive and encouraging experience (whether it is by radio or by television or by church service or by website) creates an unrealistic expectation in the hearts and minds of the audience and congregation who have come to rely on “the ministry” or “Religion” or “ Good Works” to keep them properly fed. Abel Boodle from Mercy Gates Christian Fellowship says, “Content is judged not according to Truth, but according to how I feel about it. Do I feel good, positive, encouraged, uplifted, and happy afterwards? Depending on the emotions, people make decisions of the choices they have in life.”
The annual Christmas Celebration at Mercy Gates Christian Fellowship has carved the way to lay the path to why it is important to put truth of the birth of Jesus Christ as the true reason to celebrate Christmas as compared to the emotions of gifts, Santa and shopping bargains. The audience were challenged on letting go of their emotions of ignoring the truth and understanding what the reality is in Jesus Christ.
The free family event also included performances by kids, skits, songs, dance, bhangra and raas garba along with free dinner provided.
Mercy Gates is planning for another event in March 2014. To participate or for more information on Mercy Gates Christian Fellowship, please contact Ps Naran Makan 021 102 8989; Kanti Patel 021 779 699; Abel Boodle 022 051 3043; Nevil Bulsari 021 2352713 or visit www.facebook.com/mercygates. Worship times Sunday @ 10:30am. Mt Roskill Intermediate School, Denbigh Ave, Mt Roskill, Auckland.
Auckland’s Mercy Gates Christian Fellowship concept of the Millionaire Hotseat was the show stopper at the Indian Christmas Celebration program on 15-Dec-2013. The audiences were kept captivated by a thrilling Millionaire Hotseat concept where the antagonist, Nevil Bulsari was challenged on his...
Auckland’s Mercy Gates Christian Fellowship concept of the Millionaire Hotseat was the show stopper at the Indian Christmas Celebration program on 15-Dec-2013. The audiences were kept captivated by a thrilling Millionaire Hotseat concept where the antagonist, Nevil Bulsari was challenged on his contemporary views on Christmas by the protagonist, Abel Boodle.
The joy in celebrating Christmas has been commercially hidden by advertising and contemporary ways of thinking. People have crafted traditions, customs and the truth to take away the real reason behind celebration of Christmas. People now a days, find joy in worldly experiences that have been crafted by their contemporary views on lifestyles and seek pleasure in material gifts that have been shaped by commercial activities of Santa Clause and shopping bargains. The true joy of Christmas however lies in rejoicing that God gave his son Jesus Christ on this day to gift him to the world and save us all from the debt of sin to bring salvation.
Salvation is not found in good works, charity, acts of random kindness or good deeds which prosperity preachers around the world have carved into the minds of people. At first blush there would appear to be nothing wrong to label things like good deeds as “positive and encouraging”. Contemporary preachers, event organiser and TV show producers also offer positive and encouraging programming for the whole family. The appeal is obvious as no one wants to spend a lot of time dwelling on things that are negative and discouraging. However, this desire to provide people with a positive and encouraging experience (whether it is by radio or by television or by church service or by website) creates an unrealistic expectation in the hearts and minds of the audience and congregation who have come to rely on “the ministry” or “Religion” or “ Good Works” to keep them properly fed. Abel Boodle from Mercy Gates Christian Fellowship says, “Content is judged not according to Truth, but according to how I feel about it. Do I feel good, positive, encouraged, uplifted, and happy afterwards? Depending on the emotions, people make decisions of the choices they have in life.”
The annual Christmas Celebration at Mercy Gates Christian Fellowship has carved the way to lay the path to why it is important to put truth of the birth of Jesus Christ as the true reason to celebrate Christmas as compared to the emotions of gifts, Santa and shopping bargains. The audience were challenged on letting go of their emotions of ignoring the truth and understanding what the reality is in Jesus Christ.
The free family event also included performances by kids, skits, songs, dance, bhangra and raas garba along with free dinner provided.
Mercy Gates is planning for another event in March 2014. To participate or for more information on Mercy Gates Christian Fellowship, please contact Ps Naran Makan 021 102 8989; Kanti Patel 021 779 699; Abel Boodle 022 051 3043; Nevil Bulsari 021 2352713 or visit www.facebook.com/mercygates. Worship times Sunday @ 10:30am. Mt Roskill Intermediate School, Denbigh Ave, Mt Roskill, Auckland.
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