Welcome to the Christmas 2024 page on my blog Spiritual Reflections.

Hello everyone! I’m Rev. Hepsi.

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year! As people in their festive greens and reds walk by with shopping bags and Christmas trees, there’s a lovely sense of peace, joy, and goodwill in the air. I enjoy listening to classic and modern carols while baking treats for my family, neighbors, and friends.

It’s the greatest birthday celebration of all—the birth of Immanuel, which means "God is with us."

Heaven came down to inhabit the earth for a while when Jesus entered our sad and broken world, bringing love, joy, peace, and hope. If you find yourself feeling stressed during Christmas, as many people do, I have a suggestion. Let us remind ourselves that Jesus is the reason for the season. Instead of focusing on the material aspects of the holiday—such as shopping for expensive gifts to impress people—let's concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas and the real joy of giving.

Consider the simple joys of singing Christmas carols, baking special treats, spending time with loved ones, and sharing your joy with those around you. Many are lonely and there are people less fortunate who could use some extra help. Why not walk to the nearest church to sing carols, and join hands with those who assist the poor? By focusing on these actions, you will rekindle the spirit of Christmas and find peace and joy within.

We will look at the Christmas story afresh and find elements to wonder and songs to cherish!

Please take a moment to enjoy the song below:

SONG: Joy To The World - Eddie James

This Christmas, I want to focus on the first Christmas as seen through the eyes of those who witnessed that special day and the events surrounding Jesus' birth in the little town of Bethlehem in the Ancient Near East. I invite you to reflect on and contemplate Christ's birth, as well as some events that took place before and after it.

The events surrounding the birth of Christ were powerful and supernatural, involving rulers and their decrees, extraordinary occurrences like angel visitations, and a star that guided some brave foreigners to Bethlehem to worship the Christ child. Ancient prophecies were fulfilled. Let’s explore this further. Before Christ's birth, a significant event took place: Caesar Augustus, who ruled the vast Roman Empire, issued a decree for a census to be conducted throughout the entire Roman world. This marked the first official census in history! As a result, Jesus was born around 6 to 4 BC.

Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem in Judea to register, as Joseph was a descendant of King David. At this time, Mary was in an advanced stage of pregnancy and ready to give birth. It was the divine timing for the Christ child to enter the world. Unfortunately, there was no room available for them, so Mary gave birth to baby Jesus in a stable, wrapping him snugly in pieces of cloth and laying him in a manger.

Amidst the sounds of mooing cows, bleating sheep, and chirping birds, the baby Jesus Christ was born into the world. It seems that the choice of location for God's Son's birth was by divine design.

Do you know who the first special guests were to visit the newborn king?

They were the shepherds in nearby fields watching over their sheep. These were the poorest of the people.  Why shepherds, you may wonder? Despite being among the poorest members of society, God chose to deliver the good news of Jesus’s birth to them first.

An angel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11). After revealing the location of the holy child's birthplace, a host of angels brightened the sky, singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) Excited, the shepherds said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” They visited the Christ child and worshiped him, then spread the word about his birth.

The prophecy that the Messiah would be born was well-known, and news traveled quickly. The Bible notes, “And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:18).

There was likely a steady stream of visitors coming to see baby Jesus following the announcement made by the shepherds. Young Mary, the mother of baby Jesus, was continually amazed by the influx of visitors. She "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (V.19) Mary is a brave and blessed woman who submitted to God’s grand plan to bring forth the holy child, whom she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Mary and Joseph were constantly astonished by the events unfolding around them. As a simple couple, ever since they were betrothed, they had experienced miraculous occurrences. Remarkable things continued to happen after the birth of their son, Jesus.

On the eighth day, Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, following the Mosaic law. There, they encountered a righteous and devout man named Simeon. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Messiah and that prophecy was fulfilled that day.

Simeon took baby Jesus in his arms and said: 

 “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, 

 You may now dismiss Your servant in peace. 

 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 

 which You have prepared in the sight of all nations: 

 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, 

 and the glory of Your people Israel.” 

(Luke 2:29-32)

The Scriptures indicate the parents' reaction with these words: “The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.” (Luke 2:33)

Shortly after, another prophet arrived to greet and prophesy over baby Jesus. This time, it was an 84-year-old widow named Anna. Her response is documented in the following words: “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (V.38).

Let's take a short break to listen to a song, after which we will continue with the Christmas story.

Please take a moment to enjoy Kirk Franklin’s rendition of We Three Kings below:

SONG: Lyric Video - "We Three Kings" by Kirk Franklin | THE STAR

During the time of Jesus' birth, a grand star suddenly appeared in the East. Wise and educated men, often referred to as Magi, noticed this remarkable star in the sky and began to study it carefully. They concluded that someone great had been born on Earth. Upon realizing that this was the king of the Jews, they decided to travel a great distance to Jerusalem in search of the newborn king.

Quite naturally, they went to King Herod's palace to inquire about him. They asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2). This news caused King Herod to panic at the thought of a rival king being born while he was still the reigning monarch.

When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all of Jerusalem was troubled with him (Matthew 2:3). The arrival of the wealthy foreign dignitaries on camels stirred quite a commotion in the city as they searched for the newborn king.  The chief priests and teachers of the law in Jerusalem were consulted about the Messiah's birthplace. They confirmed to King Herod that the Messiah would be born “in Bethlehem in Judea” (V. 4-5). Herod instructed the Magi to search for the baby king in Bethlehem and report back to him. As they traveled, the star that had guided them reappeared, leading them to the place where the child was. The Bible records, “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed” (Matthew 2:10). This marvelous star reminds me of the “pillar of fire/light” that guided the Israelites at night in the book of Exodus. Upon arriving, the Magi worshiped the child, presenting Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—each symbolizing kingship, deity, and death, respectively. Afterward, they took a different route home, guided by a warning from God in a dream not to return to Herod.

In the Gospel of John, the beloved disciple of Jesus captures the essence of the good news regarding the birth of Jesus Christ with these profound words:

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to what was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." – John 1:10-12.

I hope you enjoyed the true story of Christmas.

In conclusion, I invite you to listen to the powerful lyrics of the Christmas song provided below:

SONG: Thou Did'st Leave Thy Throne & Thy Kingly Crown (Tune: Margaret-5vv) [with lyrics for congregations]

Merry Christmas, everyone! God bless you all!

© Hepsimp

December 2024

Image Source: Christmas tree designed by Freepik

I hope you enjoy my recipe for Christmas tea given below:

Christmas Tea

Ingredients: 

2 cups water

2 cups milk

3 to 4 black tea bags

1-inch fresh ginger sliced

1 small stick cinnamon

3 cloves

3 cardamoms

¼ tsp grated nutmeg/ or pinch of nutmeg powder

Sweetener of your choice

Method: Coarsely pound the whole spices in a mortar and pestle. Combine water and milk. Add sliced ginger and pounded spices and boil them together. Once it boils, turn off the heat. Remove the tea bags and discard them. Using a tea strainer, filter the tea into mugs, add your choice of sweetener, and enjoy!

© Hepsimp

December 2024

Christmas 2023

Dear Readers,

Welcome to my Christmas Page 2023!

Isn't it the best time of the year when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ with such joy and happiness? It's time to create unforgettable memories with our loved ones. We exchange gifts, sing carols, bake cookies and cakes, and decorate the Christmas tree. We attend concerts and gather with family and friends. Don't you just love Christmas? I certainly do. It's a special time of the year that is full of happiness and celebration.

On this page, you will find Christmas-themed pictures, songs, scripture passages, recipes, poems, and prayers. 

As we get closer to Christmas Day, I will be sharing more pieces.

Please feel free to explore and enjoy all that this page has to offer. 

God bless you!

An Overview of Christmas

By Rev. Hepsi

Come Christmas time, people busy themselves with gift-giving.

But what is the history behind this tradition?

The true meaning of Christmas is encapsulated in the most precious gift of all - Jesus Christ, the son of God, who was born in human form to rescue us. Today, let us pause to reflect on the importance of this gift and show gratitude to God for sending his son. The fact that God sent His son to save us is a clear indication of the immense love He has for us.

In the words of Paul, the apostle, let us join together and say,

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9: 15

At Christmas, we exchange gifts as a way to commemorate the greatest gift that God has given us, his Son, Jesus. Jesus, in turn, gave us the gift of Salvation. Therefore, we give gifts to one another as a way to honor and remember God's benevolence towards us.

Sometimes, the best gift you can give is your love and time.

Song: Joy To the World (with lyrics to sing along)

Scripture for Meditation:

 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6: 23 NLT

Hello Everyone! 

We are currently in the season of Advent, which means "arrival" and signifies the start of an event or the arrival of a person. In Christian communities around the world, Advent refers to a four-week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival of Jesus on Earth.  We reflect on Christ's first coming and look toward his Second coming. It is a time of waiting and reflection.

During the four weeks of Advent, we light a candle on each Sunday. The first candle represents hope, the second candle represents peace, the third candle represents joy, and the fourth candle represents love.

This week we lit the advent candle of hope. Despite the darkness in the world, we trust God, knowing that Jesus is our living hope.

 Scripture Verse for Meditation:

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15: 13 NLT

Song: God Rest Ye Merry - a Song by the Joyful 6/ Singing  Siblings

A Christmas Tradition

As we anticipate Christmas day and prepare to celebrate the birth of God's Son Jesus, we cherish the many Christmas traditions around the world. In my family, we have a tradition of baking Christmas fruit cake together. Each member has their own version of the famous cake, including my grandmother, mother, and myself. I would be happy to share my recipe with you, and I hope you enjoy baking Christmas fruit cakes as much as I do.

Our family tradition involves jointly preparing the fruit cake for Christmas. On the day my dad was off work, my mom would announce that we were baking the family Christmas fruit cake. My siblings and I would gather around the biggest pot in the house, with all the ingredients collected on the table. After saying a prayer, we would add the ingredients one by one into the pot while my dad stirred them with a big wooden spoon. Everyone had a part in adding something to the pot, including butter, sugar, dried fruits, chopped nuts, flour, essences, and spices. Once the batter was ready, we would pour it into many-sized cake tins - rounds, squares, and rectangles. As the cakes are baked in the oven, the whole house smells like heaven with its delicious aroma. As we went to bed that night, we dreamed of a Merry Christmas with the ringing of carols, the clatter of toys, delicious treats, and family gatherings.

Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

- 2 cups of mixed fruit and chopped nuts (you can choose from raisins, currants, cherries, candied orange peel, and cashew nuts)

- Enough water to cover the fruit

- 1 cup of butter

- 1 to 1 ½ cups of brown sugar

- 3 beaten eggs

- 3 cups of all-purpose flour

- 4 teaspoons of baking powder

- 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence

- ½ teaspoon of almond essence

- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder (you can use other spices if you prefer)

Method:

To make this delicious fruit and nut cake, start by placing the fruit and nut mixture in a saucepan. Add enough water to just cover the fruit and bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately stir in the butter and sugar. Keep stirring until the butter has melted. Let the mixture cool down completely before mixing in the beaten eggs.

Next, sieve the flour, cinnamon, and baking powder together separately. Add spoonfuls of the flour mixture to the fruit mixture and keep stirring until all the flour is used up. Lastly, stir in the vanilla and almond essences.

Line cake tins with parchment paper and pour in the batter. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour or until an inserted pick or fork comes out clean. Alternatively, you can pour the batter into paper cupcake liners and bake for 45 minutes or until done.

Once the cake is ready, share it with your family and friends and enjoy the festive season!

December 2023

© Hepsimp 2023

A Candle in the Dark

-A poem by Hepsi

You are a little candle

Shining bright

In your corner

In a weary, worn world.

Anxious folks many

Hopeless, crying

Needing peace, joy, love

Searching.

Child of God,

Carry the light of Christ

Wherever you go -

Care for the sick, dying,

Lost and lonely

In Valleys

Alleys

Schools and prisons

Workplace

Every place.

Carry the Light of life

Go light candles

Pass on the light, share it

Till every place’s lit

The whole earth illumined

All hatred and strife

Vanquished

In its brilliance

Till peace permeates each place.

Jesus said:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.

And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Be a candle in the dark

Carry the Light of life to every place.

© Hepsimp 2023

Song: Go Tell It On the Mountain - Thokoza | New Acapella Christmas Song about the Birth of Jesus

The second Advent candle of peace was lit in churches.  Our Scripture verse for meditation this week:

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.

Isaiah 9: 6 NIV

People worldwide celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with song, dance, and music.

Check these out:

A beautiful Indian Bharatanatyam rendition of the Christmas carol, Mary’s Boy Child

[Gracias Choir] The First Noel