My Christmas
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 12631 |
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January 07, 2008 |
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 ~ Deacon Yoo-Rim Han (6-25 Mission; 4-2 Men's Mission)
Director at the Korea Scenario Writers Association, Deacon Yoo-Lim Han is also a member of the Korean TV and Radio Writers Association and has a mystery story series carried on current affairs magazine Sisa News.
I feel there is much significance to the fact that Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, is at the end of a year. Could it possibly refer to the way in which we repent of all the sin and evil we committed throughout the year and to our rebirth?
I joined Manmin Central Church earlier last year; it has almost been a year and the first Christmas I await as a Manmin member means so much to me.
Messages of Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee plant the life of faith in my heart, which is far more precious than theology. Just as God's Word is not a thesis, messages of Dr. Jaerock Lee, especially his series on "Heaven," a spiritual shock to me.
For me, the concept of "heaven" was merely a vague image that I could neither touch nor paint in my head. If someone asked me, "Do you believe in Jesus?" I could answer with confidence, "Yes!" If someone else asked me, "Do you believe that heaven and hell exist?" I could not answer in the positive with much confidence. Yet, Dr. Lee's message series on "Heaven," now up to three dozen sessions, is concrete; the image of heaven is within my grasp. He shares with the congregation in such close detail – so vivid that I feel as though I am looking at photographs taken of heaven – not only the life in heaven but also the categorization and the design of Paradise, the first, second, and third heavenly kingdoms, and New Jerusalem.
I have never heard this kind of messages at other churches. I began to feel guilty, thinking, 'I have been clinging too much to this world when the lives of believers really are all about earning eternal life in heaven in which Jesus dwells.'
I feel deep in my heart once again the meaning of the hymn "Joy to the World!" For that reason, Christmas 2007 for me is much more meaningful that all other Christmases I have experienced. I was deeply touched by the new interpretation of the Bible as revealed in Dr. Jaerock Lee's work on 'The Book of Job' (Man of Flesh, Man of Spirit).' I also came to realize that before the time began, God had prepared the path to the salvation of mankind according to the law on the redemption of the land (Leviticus 25:23-25). I have never heard such messages at other churches.
Furthermore, I could only applaud the courage and faith of Dr. Jaerock Lee for embarking on the work of salvation, designed by God Himself, of the Israelites who hold fast to Judaism and are still unable to believe in Jesus Christ's being their Savior.
On top of that, this Christmas is all the more significant because Deacon Boo-Sam Kim, who led me to Manmin and was unable to have a child even after 5 years of marriage, has finally had a child with his wife in late November after having received Dr. Jaerock Lee's prayer in Spring 2007.
For me, Christmas is all the more special as not because of feasts, presents, or brilliant Christmas tree decorations; but because I had genuine understanding of God's Word. I pray that my spirit will be purified and true.
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Manmin News 
