No two people are alike.
No two people succeed alike.
And it follows that no two people fail alike.
Now if you have fallen, whatever it be, there are two choices for you:
One is to stay defeated. Choice number two is to rise up.
Now if you choose to rise up, there are several possibilities.
You can stand up on your own or you can ask someone to help you. Beyond all this you can trust God to lift you up.
Again, defeats can make you feel good for nothing;
it can make you focus on yourself which ends in self-pity;
it can make you angry at others and cause you to curse circumstances;
and it can even make you resign yourself to whatever has happened.
None of these attitudes does anyone any good; the least of all to you.
So embrace light instead of wooing darkness.
Be honest with yourself.
The simplest thing you can do is to stop telling excuses.
Accept responsibility for your fall.
Make a commitment to try once more.
There is no magic formula for success.
If I know one, it is perseverance.
That means you keep on doing what you are good at in spite of all defeats,
failures, shortcomings, mistakes and predictions of doom.
At the same time you can hold on to God in hope.
Here is how Prophet Micah expressed this.
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy!Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light (Micah 7:8 Bible).”
So dear friends, let not your defeat discourage you. Avoid distractions and focus on the task ahead. God loves you not because you succeed all the time.
He knows what is in your heart.
He knows what your motives are.
He knows that you tried your very best; but failed.
The way he calculates points is entirely different from the way we evaluate and judge our own performances. His final analysis is about whether you loved him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. If you tried and failed; he still accepts you.
Now if you are looking for one word of assurance, one word of encouragement that will lift you up from your bed of despair, this is it. God is telling you,
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands
–(Isaiah 49:16 Bible).” To be engraved means to be remembered always. To be engraved means to be held by the mighty and strong hand of God. To be engraved means to permanently belong. To be engraved, again, means that no one can snatch you out of God’s hand.*
You are his, precious child of God.
Do not let defeats and failures throw you down.
Stand up. And move on.
Accept the forgiveness of God. Rise up to succeed!
In the love poems by King Solomon known as Song of Solomon or Song of Songs, he speaks about a Lover and his Beloved.
While they converse with each other, with growing love and anticipation of their wedding, the beloved says, “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom (SOS 2:15).”
Written over 3000 years ago, the little foxes are more real today than ever. What greater threat can you find eroding marriages than social media and networking like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.?
First of all, the time people spent on it everyday is enormous. It need not happen in big chunks. But the anxiety to just have a look at latest posts and see what is happening with others steals away time–valuable time–in short bouts. Time that should be spend on nurturing relationships within the family and taking care of the well-being of its members is wasted away like this.
Secondly, the ease of use of these kind of media make people cross boundaries easily without any feeling of guilt. Today, morality is becoming more and more relative than following absolute God-commanded standards. The saddest part is that people fail to realize boundaries are drawn to keep you safe from harm. Social media gives many the thrill of intimacy without responsibility; and secret enjoyment of forbidden fruit without much fear of being caught.
Finally, social media makes people lose perspective. The virtual world can never substitute the real. But for those who indulge in it, life seems rosier; and the grass looks greener on the other side. This makes people devalue their own husbands and wives as they suddenly find fault with them by the hundreds. Love is suddenly absent. Unfavourable comparisons are the little foxes here. Sadly those who are lured by the charming chats forget that virtual relationships and flirting are no less sinful than real; and will sap their life and drain their vitality away from them.
So what’s the big deal here? Nothing if life is just fun alone. But life is not without accountability. When it comes to that, what if all your chats are made a public spectacle to the entire humanity? Like digital footprints you leave behind everywhere you browse; all your moral looseness is also leaving its unerasable prints that are irreversibly recorded. When that day of accountability and judgement comes you will remember the folly of not having caught the little foxes that had ruined your vineyards!
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement” — Hebrews 9:27 Bible.
” ‘Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!’ But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.” — Proverbs 9;17, 18 Bible.
No one can forget the scene. On top a hill lifted up on a cross hung wounded and bleeding, Jesus, the Saviour.
You call him a good moral teacher, a divine healer, a great prophet, a worker of miracles or even a revolutionary. But this death he died for all mankind changed it all.
He came to take his cross and walk; and to be lifted high on it. Love then was on exhibit; naked and bleeding—a public spectacle!
Why should it have been so? There is only one answer. God’s love for you on one side; and on the other side, God’s judgement on man’s sin and rebellion against him.
When you feel forsaken; one look of faith at him is enough. It was love that made him shed his last drop of blood for you.
With one look of faith and love on him who was crucified and risen, you can pass on from death to life, from despair to hope, and from darkness to light.
This my friend is the magnetic pull of the cross! It then bled love, and now it spells LIFE for you!
When Jesus was born he was called Immanuel meaning God with us. Can God be so ordinary? Can God be human? Incredible!
Yet God chose to humble himself to be a servant of men. This is one meaning of God with us. God stood with us in our brokenness. Well, some of you might think we are OK. Really! Is it true?
Just look around you. The kind of broken hearts and tears you find everywhere. God came to experience all this firsthand. No longer can you tell God, “You don’t understand!”
Yet he will point you to a Man lifted up on a hill between earth and sky, naked and bleeding on a cross with a crown of thorns on his head. An inscription above his head read, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
And God will say to you that there he carried your sorrows and was broken for you. Looking at that Man you will find peace. For the punishment of your sins that should have fallen on you fell on him who was innocent. He carried it all for you.
Respected Principal, honoured guests, beloved teachers, and my dear friends,
Good morning to one and all.
Let me first of all thank God as well as the Principal of the School for giving me this opportunity to speak to you on Christmas. I wish to talk to you about the meaning of gifts during Christmas.
Christmas is a beautiful time of the year when family and friends come together. And gifts are exchanged. One group that is always excited at Christmas are children. This is because children love gifts. They look forward to receive gifts during this time of the year. In fact, it is this sense of expectation that makes Christmas special.
Let me tell you how gifts can make Christmas special. There was a lovely young husband and wife who were poor. Both of them, Jim and Della, loved each other dearly. As Christmas came near both of them secretly thought about gifting each other with a lovely Christmas gift. But they did not have much money.
Della had long and beautiful hair. So Jim thought of buying her a beautiful hair clip. Della saw that the strap of Jim’s watch was broken. So she thought of buying him a watch strap. And on Christmas Eve both of them wished each other Happy Christmas and gave the gifts to each other.
But children there were tears in both their eyes. Do you know why? It was because Della had cut her long hair and sold it to get money to buy Jim a watch strap. And Jim had sold his watch to buy Della a hair clip.
This spirit of sacrifice is the true meaning of Christmas as this classic short story from O. Henry highlights. Likewise, it was not easy for God to send his Son Jesus to this world. It was a sacrifice. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Therefore let us celebrate Christmas by thanking God for his indescribable gift—the gift of God’s Son Jesus!
Remember my dear children; he came just for you and for me!
Let me also tell you the story of a young boy who was an orphan. He was poor. During Christmas time he used to go to the street and watch the lovely gifts displayed inside shops. He would press his nose against the glass to have a closer look.
But he was sad because there was no one to give him a gift. One day, he saw a small cat on the road. He also saw a car coming against it. On seeing this the boy jumped in front of the car and saved the cat. But the car hit him. And he was taken to hospital.
There was a good nurse who took care of him. On Christmas day she gifted him with a toy. The boy opened the packet and found a toy train inside it. The nurse asked him, “Do you like it?”
The boy with great joy cried out: “There is no glass between.” Saying so he put the toy train close to his heart. See how happy he was when he had a toy for himself.
Dear children, may God gift you with the real joy of finding Jesus this Christmas. So that you too can say with this boy, “Now there is no glass between; I too have found the true joy of Christmas.”
Finally, during Christmas time we remember the journey of the Wise Men who came from far way to worship baby Jesus. They had seen a star and travelled from far away to meet Jesus. And when the star led them to Jesus, they gave gifts of gold and myrrh and incense to Jesus. That is why in remembrance of their act of worship we also give gifts to each other during Christmas.
So think about it. When you meet Jesus, what will be the gift you wish to give him? I am sure Jesus will be happy to see your love towards him more than anything else. So try to love Jesus more this Christmas.
Wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year. Thank you.
Thank you. —Stefan B. Peter, PP II K, St. Thomas School, Kumarapuram.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
— John 3:16 Bible.
Welcome Speech
Respected Dignitaries, teachers, parents and my dear friends,
A warm good morning to one and all.
We are celebrating Christmas at our school today. It is a time we think of baby Jesus in Bethlehem. I stand here now to welcome all of you.
First of all, let me welcome all the dignitaries present here. We are so glad you came to watch our program. On behalf of the school I happily welcome all of you.
Next, I welcome our Respected Principal, teachers, parents, kochammas [caretakers] and friends to this program. May this Christmas program touch our hearts with joy.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Once again I welcome all of you.
Thank you. —Daniela B. Peter, PP II K, St. Thomas School, Kumarapuram.
I was watching a fancy dress program at my kids’ school a few days ago. A five -year old dressed as an old lady was hobbling along the stage with the aid of a stick. She looked very realistic.
Suddenly she saw someone at the far end of the stage holding out a chocolate to her. At that moment, totally forgetting the situation, she rushed to grab the chocolate! Watching the rest of the participants perform, I have no doubt that she would have easily been voted the best of the participants otherwise.
What made her do so? Temptation.
Temptation. It often comes right at the path of your duty. One way to escape it is to be prepared. Do not let temptations take you by surprise.
Temptation. The moment you allow curiosity to take the first bite; you are finished. The moment you think it is safe to step inside a lion’s cage to take a selfie; even your bones will not be recovered.
Temptation. The longer it knocks at your door, the more bold you should be that you can overcome it. It is because you are still safely locked in. However great and furious the knock or pleading just say NO.
Temptation. It has great power when it comes through your friends. The possibility that they might reject you or make fun of you can unnerve you. It is good to be called names rather than to slip into a lifetime of misery and regret.
Temptation. It often defeats you when you stay a moment longer at spots you are not supposed to be. Run away. And do not look back for that second glance. Guard your eyes. Let it not look at evil and have your hearts hooked by what you see.
Temptation. It can come in many subtle and glamorous forms.
Temptation that is not attractive;
that doesn’t have a tinge of pleasure in it;
that does not give you a momentary satisfaction cannot be called temptation.
The danger about temptation is that it makes you think only of instant gratification and not about long-term and far reaching consequences, guilt, shame, remorse, ridicule and the burden of sin that you need to face or carry.
Ultimately the only absolute defence against temptation that I know is God. Call out to him for help. A sincere heart prayer and cry from a broken and contrite heart is always heard and answered.
Once upon a time two angels went from heaven to earth with two huge baskets to collect the prayers of people. One basket was labelled Requests and the other Thanks. When the angels returned to God, the basket of Requests was full and overflowing; but the basket of Thanks was almost empty.
Dear friends, the lesson is quite clear. An attitude of gratitude is often absent in our lives. The lack of a thankful heart may be the root cause of many human illnesses as well.
Let me now point out two things:
Firstly, an attitude of gratitude means you learn to count your blessings in life. When you do so you will find that they far outnumber the difficulties or problems you face in life. Moreover it gives you a joyous heart as well.
You can be thankful for the gift of life, your parents, home and school, your teachers, relatives and friends, for the clothes you wear, the food you eat and the place you live in. The list is endless.
Secondly, an attitude of gratitude helps you value simple joys of life. You may not have the latest gadgets to play with. Instead a thankful heart will help you to be content and satisfied in whatever situation you find yourself in.
A thankful heart will value people more than things, it will value a smile more than riches, it will find joy in giving than grabbing, and it will hold on to hope even when life’s ship moves in troubled waters.
Bless the LORD, O My Soul!
—
Daniela B. Peter and Stefan B. Peter sings the song, “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” as part of Little Kingdom program on Harvest TV.
It is at those moments that you look for someone who has passed through such trouble to come and be with you. Perhaps speak an encouraging word. For only those who have experienced what you are going through can offer any help.
It is at this point our burden-bearer stands at life’s difficult hours and crossroads. The man who “was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering!”1
Not only does he understand pain and grief, he knows what it is to weep. He knows what it is to carry the greatest burden of mankind—the burden of sin and its accompanying guilt and shame.
He calls you his friend. More than that, he calls you, “My brother, my sister.”
He who carried the cross will willingly carry your burden as well. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”2 That is his call and invitation.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens” — Psalm 68:19
Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” — Hebrews 13:5, 6.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9.
“For we do not have a high priest [Jesus] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” — Hebrews 4:15, 16.
[Quotes from Bible, New International Version 1984]
The ability to laugh is God-given. It is best seen when children come together and play. What an amazing thing it is how they laugh and have fun. Those are moments when life is bubbling over with joy and sheer enthusiasm.
Yes, such laughter can have echoes of heaven in it too. As Corrie ten Boom pointed out, “I had always thought that the laughter of the little children in an empty cathedral was the most beautiful of all hymns of praise.” You cannot give laughter a nearer place to the heart of God than that, can you?
When you laugh, there are many good things that happen. It helps you connect with people. For laughter is positively contagious. People laughing together is an excellent way to build relationships. It helps friends and members of family bond with each other. It helps increase trust and intimacy as well.
Again laughter is an expression of joy in one’s heart. Sadly, anxiety and worry, depression and loneliness are ills of modern society that prevent people from laughing out loud. It is in this context that laughter is understood to be the best medicine.
For laughter can relieve stress and increase our health in many different ways. While the smile of babies and the elderly are incomparably beautiful, it is the hearty laughter that acts as a stress buster.
One area of life that has been often seen as off-limits for laughter is one’s relationship with God. Though it is true that God is holy and no man or woman can stand in his presence based on his or her merits, goodness or achievements in life; it is also true that God wishes to impart gladness and joy to those who love him.
King David expressed his sincere hope that God will fill him with joy in his presence and eternal pleasures at his right hand.* Therefore it is clear that God gives joy and laughter to those who love him. It is indeed a sad thing to go through life and never laugh. For, as the noted theologian Karl Barth said, “Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.”
Again, King Solomon many centuries ago expressed this truth in these words, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”* It is up to you to decide to step out of despair into a mode of thankfulness and praise. Laughter is absent from many lives, simply because people allow negative circumstances to crowd out their joy. So it is up to you again to see that your joy is not stolen from you.
Finally, let me ask you one question? What prevents you from laughing? Whatever be the reason you cannot afford not to laugh. Therefore take time to go out with friends and family. Do something positive and creative together. Enjoy healthy fun and entertainment.
Let me conclude with a wish and prayer for you. May God send long-cherished blessings your way today. May you find things close to your heart restored to you. Then you will be like “men who dreamed,” and your “mouths be filled with laughter and your tongues with songs of joy.”* Thank you.
Have you ever been lost somewhere in a crowd? And you had to wait anxiously for someone to come and find you out. Then you might have experienced the joy of someone coming in search of you and finding you.
What a relief to know that you were thought about and not forgotten. What a joy to know that someone cared. What good news is it to be reminded that you belong to someone.
It is in this sense that Christmas is good news of great joy to all the people. It simply tells us that God remembers each one of us. It tells us that none of us is forgotten. It reminds us that in spite of all our failures, mistakes and sins; God is ready to clean up the mess. He is willing to dirty his hands to give us a new life in his Son Jesus.
This is the story of Christmas. This is the good news that God came down to us in Jesus Christ. He came as a baby; a child who came to sacrifice his life by shedding his blood on the cross for all mankind. Through this sacrifice, God is ready to forgive all who come to him and cleanse people of all sin and impurity.
No one is excluded from this joy. People of all tribes and nations, languages and cultures are welcome.
The true joy of Christmas is not in the festivity of the season. It is not to be found in gifts and stars, cake and wine, new dress and carols and Christmas trees and Christmas cards and Santa Claus.
But the true joy of Christmas is that a Saviour came. And it is good news of great joy because it is for all the people of the world. God’s search for the lost continues and it will not end until his love finds you and gifts you the joy of salvation today.
And when God finds you and saves you; joy erupts and explodes in heaven for Jesus said there is great rejoicing in heaven and in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. So my friend, is that someone you?
Now, what is the truth regarding this thought? The truth is you are not good enough! So what? Who is? Do you know anyone who is perfect? Have you ever seen the failures and mistakes of those you consider perfect?
Why should you compare yourself with someone else? Don’t you have an identity of your own? Is there any other individual like you on planet earth? Aren’t you unique? Made so very special by your Creator, God!
Then why do you entertain negative thoughts about yourself? God knows your faults. He knows your frame. He remembers that you are dust. And like a father has compassion on his children he has compassion on you.
God is not here to solve your inferiority complex. He is here to reveal his awesome power in weak vessels. He is here to make you strong in spite of all your feelings of “I can’t” and “I am not good enough.”
When God transforms a person, he does it patiently and lovingly. He takes long years, but he never gives up on you. Until his face gets reflected in the gold being purified in you, he will take you through tough and challenging experiences.
But God’s unconditional love for you will tug at your heart. He will say,
“Be strong and courageous. Have I not commanded you? Get up and try one more time. It doesn’t matter if you fail. My love for you is bigger than your failures. Trust me.”
The precious blood of Jesus which he shed on the cross of Calvary for the sins of all mankind has tremendous power.
First of all, it is the innocent blood of the Son of God, the sinless and holy One of God.
Secondly, this blood is the result of the perfect obedience of the Son and his submission to his Father’s will. And it is by this blood that God has opened a new way for us to approach his throne of grace with boldness and confidence.
Let us remember the slain Lamb of God and have great intimacy and friendship with God by his blood. For God draws near to us like no other time when we approach God by the blood of Jesus in our prayers.
Fourthly, the Book of Revelation says, “they overcame him* by the blood of the Lamb.” That means there is victory over sin and Satan, and protection and deliverance from all forces of evil and darkness in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, your Lord and Saviour.
Finally, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his precious blood shed there is the ultimate answer to our pride. The blood of Jesus tells us that man cannot earn his salvation through any other means. Our salvation is not based on our merit or our goodness but it comes as a gift to us by God’s grace alone.
Yes, the blood of Jesus reminds us that we need a Saviour. It also tells us that the hope of life came to you and me by his costly sacrifice, bloody death and coming back to life from the dead.
May the blood of Jesus cleanse, purify, sanctify and make your heart as white as snow as you listen to this song and meditate on the power of the blood of the Lamb of God.
May you find reconciliation and peace with God; and forgiveness for all your sins, as you make the blood of the Lamb the basis of your prayers to the God of mercy, compassion and great tenderness.
Life is precious.It is God’s gift to you. It is so unique that there is no one else on earth like you. There never was; and never will be.
Life, again, is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to do good. Therefore it does not matter how long you live; all that matters is how well you live. And how many lives you are able to touch with love and encouragement.
Another thought is that life is always shadowed by death. All people have to face it. He or she is a wise man or woman who is prepared to meet death when it comes. It is a sense of readiness. It is also an expectation to pass through the bridge of death to life eternal.
Interestingly,the secret of life is best revealed to those who are not bound by their possessions. They are untouched by worry and the changing fortunes of life. They are people who do not live by adding things to life but by measuring their lives by things they can do without.
Life above all is a stewardship. It is a trust entrusted to you. Such an understanding of life makes you keenly aware that you are answerable to God for all the time, talent, treasure, and opportunity he has gifted you with.
This is in tune with the Biblical truth that “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” The balancing truth is that wrongs faced in this world will be made right; that God will wipe every tear from the eyes of his children, and good done will be rewarded.
It is this hope that makes life worth living. And it is in loving relationships nurtured within family and friendships that make life beautiful. Life is also made purposeful by knowing one’s role in one’s family, or one’s place of work, or society at large; and playing that role well.
Finally, there is an irresistible hope at the end of life’s journey for those who have trusted the One who said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die*.” Is there a better hope in life than this? Thank you.
But today, I want you to focus on that one star that has inspired countless lighted stars down the centuries. It is none other than the Star of Christmas.
The Star of Christmas was first of all a shining star.
No one who was watching for it could miss its newfound presence in the sky. No doubt, like that star, God still shines his light in the hearts of all who sincerely search for the truth.
Secondly, the Star of Christmas was a unique star.
It rose announcing the birth of a king. It was fitting that God chose a star in the skies to make a royal proclamation. Otherwise, how would anyone have known that the child born in a manger is king?
Thirdly, the Star of Christmas was a guiding star.
It travelled in front of the Wise Men who came from the East in search of the child Jesus. It brought them safely to the place where Jesus was. No further mention is made of this star. It had fulfilled its purpose of pointing the way to Jesus; nothing greater was expected of it.
Finally, and above all, the Star inspired the Wise Men to come to worship Jesus and offer their best gifts to him. That first journey of the Wise Men even today inspires countless thousands to seek the One who bled and died on the cross to bring peace between God and men.
Children love gifts. They look forward to receive gifts during this time of the year. In fact, it is this sense of expectation that makes Christmas special.
It is said that there was such a sense of expectation in the air during the time of the birth of Jesus. His coming meant that God came down to be with us. In a special sense God came near to us in Jesus.
Yes, he came for you and me!
The great distance between a holy God and we sinners was bridged in Jesus. It was as if God were saying “I want to be friends with you!”
Yes, he came for you and me!
Therefore the gift of Christmas is about the presence of God with us. It is a gift that was given with an everlasting love. Because of this gift, life puts on a new meaning:
So here is a gift you are given for free. No need to read the price tag. It is beyond our ability to pay. I am talking about the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross where he shed his innocent blood for the sins of all.
Therefore let us celebrate Christmas by thanking God for his indescribable gift—the gift of God’s Son Jesus!
Imaginary reporting for TV Channel when Augustus Caesear ruled Rome: Timeline: Between B.C. 6 and B.C. 4
“Angelic activity on a scale never known before was reported around midnight at the open fields outside Bethlehem. Shepherds taking care of their flocks were astonished and filled with fear as a glorious light shone around them.
But an angel of God, they said, announced to them that they need not be afraid as a child destined to be the Lord and Saviour of the world was born in the town of David. He assured them that is good news of great joy to all the people.
It is amazing that a news that is so localized in the little town of Bethlehem has such global impact and appeal to all. Moreover a great heavenly choir of angels sang praises to God saying, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on whom his favour rests.’
Peace, it seems, shall come to us not through treaties made between nations but between God and man through the Saviour born a child–The Prince of Peace!
The good news so inspired the shepherds that they made haste to Bethlehem to see the humble child lying in a manger. It is reported that they are going around spreading the news. This is The Reporter for World News!”
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.”1
“You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”2
Every drop of blood
The Saviour shed
Was for you my dear—
None else to him counted more dear.
He was lifted high
For all the world to see;
That One Sacrifice For all our sins to bleed.
It cost him much
To gain the pardon
That would set us free
From death’s grip for all eternity.
The cross still stands
At all life’s crossroads
Asking you and me:
“What more should have I done for you?
In his eyes
I saw that look
Of love’s gentle light.
It stripped my soul
Naked and bare
And lit up all past
Snapshots of remote access.
It was quite unlike
The vulturous looks
Of those who tore apart
My flesh; and left me empty
Like the beer cans that littered the streets.
And then came the time
When grey hair and wrinkled skin
Took away my charm.
And those who used to come
Turned the other way
Even the birds of prey.
Though it was for pleasure
That I first took my plunge
Into the dimly lit dancing halls;
Now I know it was lust’s appetite
That led me through sin’s dark alleys
And made me go down the slimy pit
From which I saw no escape.
But now I stood before the man
Who looked at me with deep sad eyes!
And gentle, like a dove!
Then I saw myself
For all I was worth
For his eyes spelled love
Never known to me before.
Here was a Man
Who bore the prints of nail
That pierced his flesh
And bled to wash away all filth—
That to my skirts clung even after laundry.
The silence of this Lamb;
Even when all my past
Had so deeply wounded him
Took me off guard;
And made me kneel
Before his Majesty.
It was sacrifice
That made love so costly dear
And showed me that earth’s
Finest gifts cannot match
The love that forgave
And asked nothing in return—But
My heart I give to you, Oh, my Valentine!
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, . . . to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” — St. John (Revelation 1:5, 6).
Hope of a better tomorrow;
a brand new beginning in life today;
and a clean break from the failures of the past
is what Christmas is all about.
Its message is life-changing.
This message came to us not as a printed text or spoken word which is difficult to understand; instead this message came to us as a child born in a manger in Bethlehem! Yes, a child, a Saviour, was born to tell us that God cared enough to dirty his feet in earthly soil.
He came as someone who could be seen and touched
and with whom people could enjoy intimate friendship.
He ate with people; talked with them and cried with them in their sorrows.
Therefore,
In him, people experienced God near.
In him, the great distance between sinful man and a holy God was bridged. In him, sinners found a friend!
This is the great hope Jesus gifted this world with;that all those who believe in him might live for ever!
Yes friends, it is the faint glimpse of this hope that is reflected in the tradition of unwrapping of gifts at Christmas: A sense of wonder at what the future holds; expecting something as nice as the gift one would get. But often expectations are not met. Many are disappointed.
Few other words have touched the heart and influenced thought for generations than Jesus’ 7 sayings on the cross. Here we take a look at them from a public speaker’s perspective.
The Setting:
The scene that day was dramatic as well as cosmic.
Jesus was nailed to the cross and lifted high; hanging between earth and sky from 9 a.m. in the morning till the time of the evening sacrifice at 3 p.m.
There was a crown of thorns on his head and a written inscription above him which read, “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews.” While he lay on the cross, those who passed by hurled insults at him.
Unusually, there came darkness over all the land. Two criminals were also crucified with him, one on the right and another on his left. At the foot of the cross, Roman soldiers cast lots for his clothing.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
No man ever spoke so gracious words from such a stage. Here was the Saviour of the world, helpless, naked and bleeding. Such a setting and backdrop gives the utterances of Jesus from the cross a unique place in human history. For the audience was not just the crowds that had gathered, but both heaven and hell were eager witnesses to this event destined to change the lives of men and women, young and old and little children down through the centuries.
Saying #1
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
An introduction that goes right into the heart of the subject is much appreciated by audiences. Here Jesus is clearly showing the purpose of his suffering. He was shedding his blood for the forgiveness of man’s sins. From a speaker’s perspective note also the confidence with which these words were spoken; the confidence that his words would be heard by his Father in heaven. Confidence born of conviction is an asset to any speaker on any given day; isn’t it?
Saying #2
Then he [one crucified criminal] said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
This is the only one instance in the gospels where Jesus is addressed by his name alone without any other titles attached.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
Communicating hope is perhaps the highest calling of any speaker. Here the man is expressing his need to find salvation. Jesus is able to meet that need, assuring him of a place with him in paradise. Therefore that man died in hope; assured of a home in heaven for he had placed his faith on the King and his kingdom. In today’s world characterized by all kinds of fears and tensions and anxieties, if the speaker can communicate hope to the audience of a better and bright tomorrow; then he has done the world a great service indeed.
Saying #3
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, . . . When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
A speaker should exhibit care towards his audience. As it is said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Jesus, even in his moments of great agony, was ever mindful of the need of his mother to find rest and joy in some home the remainder of her days on earth. So also a speaker should be able to sense the unspoken needs of the crowd he is addressing and come up with a solution that shows he cares.
Saying #4
About the ninth hour [i.e. 3 p.m.] Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”-which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
This is the only instance in the gospels where we find Jesus addressing his father as God instead of Abba which means Dear Father. The reason being that the entire sin of the world was now placed on him and for the first time Jesus was experiencing the separation that sin brings between God and man. The darkness that came over the whole land was a reflection of this inner struggle of Jesus as he the Sinless One was experiencing the wrath and judgement of God against sin for you and for me.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
A speaker has to identify himself with the audience.Here Jesus identifies with suffering humanity who constantly ask this question, “O God, why have you forsaken us?” Those who suffer unjustly find solace in this cry of Jesus knowing that he too passed through the dark night of the soul. When an audience knows that a speaker has experienced what they are going through, he gains greater credibility with them.
Saying #5
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
Many speakers find it difficult to open up before audiences. . They are afraid to share a story from their life. This is because they fear that if they are shown as weak, then audiences would not regard them in a favourable light. But Jesus was different. The tremendous loss of blood following the physical abuses that were heaped on him made his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth. So as a human being he made his weakness known. The lesson for a speaker is that he should never fail to highlight the common human aspect of his life and make it known to his audience. It is then that audiences warm up to a speaker.
Saying #6
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
It is finished is one single word in Greek—tetelestai. At the end of the day when a person had completed the work that was assigned to him he would say tetelestai. When someone paid off a debt he owed, he was issued a receipt that was stamped with the word tetelestai, which meant paid in full. Jesus, by crying out tetelestai was saying, whatever his Father had sent him to do was now finished. His innocent blood had now been poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Nothing remained to be done for man’s salvation—anymore! It was all done by him. Therefore it was a victor’s shout, a cry of triumph. It is finished. Tetelestai.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
As we look at this from a public speaker’s perspective, many speakers who begin well end with a whimper. This is true not only of speech but also of life as well. A speaker should determine to finish strong, not only in his speech but in his life too. Jesus, knowing that he had fully paid for the sin of the world, said, “It is finished.” It was a cry of triumph. So also, a strong conclusion is a must for a great speech. Weak conclusions leave a weak impression in the minds of the audience. It frustrates them with a sense of incompleteness. But here we see Jesus finishing on a strong note.
Saying #7
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
A Public Speaker’s Perspective:
A graceful exit is as much a thing of beauty as a great performance. A speech ideally should end on a positive note of looking forward with hope. In this last saying, Jesus is quoting a prayer which says “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” It was a prayer that every Jewish mother taught her child to say the last thing before he or she slept at night. Here, Jesus dies like a child falling asleep in his father’s arms. It was indeed a graceful exit.
Audience Perspective:
Ultimately the success of any communication depends on what the audience perceives about it. Though the vast majority in the crowd thought that Jesus’ life had ended in failure, a centurion of the Roman army who was in charge of the crucifixion was moved by Jesus’ death. The gospels record thus: “And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, `Surely this man was the Son of God!’ ”
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
Note: The quotes used in this blog post are taken from the four Gospel accounts about Jesus Christ taken from the New International Version of the Bible: Inscription, John 19:19. The seven sayings, Luke 23:34, Luke 23:42, 43, John 19:25-27, Matthew 27:46, John 19:28, John 19:30, Luke 23:46. Centurion, Mark 15:39. Jesus’ Perspective, John 12:32.
