每逢聖誕節，我們都會寄贈聖誕賀卡或禮物給親友，表達心中的關懷和祝福。聖誕節真是一個充滿祝福的節日，因為神在這天祝福了全人類，使凡明白聖誕節的意義，又願意接納這個在聖誕節誕生的嬰孩的人，就得與神和人重建和好的關係，帶來人生最大的喜樂與平安。
正如天使和牧羊人向世人宣告和好的祝福，我們也在這個聖誕節的日子裡，向我們的親友報告神悅納人的好消息。
現在電子通訊很方便，我們可以從一些提供免費聖誕賀卡的網站中選寄聖誕賀卡，再加上幾句話，介紹聖誕節的真意，把這個大喜的消息繼天使和牧羊人在二千多年前所做的一樣接續下去。如果你不懂如何寫，可以直接把路加福音2:10～11和約翰福音3:16抄寫出來便可以了：「我報給你們大喜的信息，是關乎萬民的；因為今天在大衛的城裡，為你們生了救主，就是主基督」；「神愛世人，甚至將祂的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信祂的，不至滅亡，反得永生」。
During the Christmas season, we will send out Christmas cards or gifts to our friends and relatives to bless them a peaceful and joyful Christmas. Christmas is truly a very blessing season in the year, for God has blessed us with a baby savior to save those who know the meaning of Christmas and receive this baby as their redeemer. This is a good news to us because through Jesus, we are made reconciled with God and other fellows, and it brings the greatest joy and peace to life.
Following the angles and the shepherds who brought the good tidings to people, we will also tell our friends and relatives the good news of the forgiveness of God to all mankind.
We should take the advantage of the means of electronic media to send free Christmas cards to our friends and relatives to tell them such good news of Christmas, just like what the shepherds did in two thousand years ago. If you want to do that but don’t know what to write, you may just copy the Scripture from Luke 2:10~11, and John 3:16. These two passages will tell the full meaning of the Christmas story.
神與人同在的喜悅 The Joy of Emmanuel
十二月是聖誕節的月份，從街道上的商店，電視中的廣告，公司裡的派對，到每個人心中所計劃的節目、聖誕卡與禮物，都好像不斷在為聖誕節營造氣氛。隨著接近平安夜的來臨，聖誕節的氣氛漸漸濃厚起來，然而沒有多少人留意聖誕節的主角卻不在慶祝的人心中。
平安夜之所以充滿平安，聖誕節之所以使普世得以歡騰，今天在興奮地籌備節日的人心中已不願多提了。因此，人便在節日中醉生夢死，貪婪地呼吸著狂歡所帶來的麻醉，然後再一次無奈地等待狂歡過後的空虛。平安夜過後街道上將會顯得特別的蕭條。
天使在第一個聖誕節向約瑟宣告，神要與人同在了，因為這個嬰孩耶穌要將人類從黑暗中拯救出來！平安夜之所以充滿平安，因為人可以離開黑暗，進入奇妙的義光中。聖誕節之所以是歡樂的，因為我們的罪可以被神所赦免。神在基督裡與人同在了，這就是聖誕節的核心意義，我們為此而歡騰！
December is the season of Christmas, from the shops to the commercials on the television to parties in companies, people are planning for their activities, Christmas cards and presents, and with all these things, the feeling of Christmas is added more and more in the air. Following to the coming of the peaceful eve of Christmas, the feeling is higher and higher, but no one cares about whom they are going to celebrate for this birthday.
The reason for Silent Night to have such peaceful silence, and the joy for all people to share for Christmas, now seems to have no point in the hearts of those who are preparing for the season. Thus so, people make merry and die, and greedily take every breath of the breeze of laughter in the air to wait for another day of emptiness to fall. In the morning after the Christmas Eve all the streets are dead.
Emmanuel was the news that the angels announced to Joseph, for a child was going to be born into the world to deliver people from the dark! Silent Night is so peaceful to us is because people can leave the darkness and enter into the wonderful light of righteousness. We love to celebrate Christmas for God has forgiven us. God is with us in Christ, and this is the meaning of Christmas, for which we celebrate today with joy overflowing!
平安夜之所以充滿平安，聖誕節之所以使普世得以歡騰，今天在興奮地籌備節日的人心中已不願多提了。因此，人便在節日中醉生夢死，貪婪地呼吸著狂歡所帶來的麻醉，然後再一次無奈地等待狂歡過後的空虛。平安夜過後街道上將會顯得特別的蕭條。
天使在第一個聖誕節向約瑟宣告，神要與人同在了，因為這個嬰孩耶穌要將人類從黑暗中拯救出來！平安夜之所以充滿平安，因為人可以離開黑暗，進入奇妙的義光中。聖誕節之所以是歡樂的，因為我們的罪可以被神所赦免。神在基督裡與人同在了，這就是聖誕節的核心意義，我們為此而歡騰！
December is the season of Christmas, from the shops to the commercials on the television to parties in companies, people are planning for their activities, Christmas cards and presents, and with all these things, the feeling of Christmas is added more and more in the air. Following to the coming of the peaceful eve of Christmas, the feeling is higher and higher, but no one cares about whom they are going to celebrate for this birthday.
The reason for Silent Night to have such peaceful silence, and the joy for all people to share for Christmas, now seems to have no point in the hearts of those who are preparing for the season. Thus so, people make merry and die, and greedily take every breath of the breeze of laughter in the air to wait for another day of emptiness to fall. In the morning after the Christmas Eve all the streets are dead.
Emmanuel was the news that the angels announced to Joseph, for a child was going to be born into the world to deliver people from the dark! Silent Night is so peaceful to us is because people can leave the darkness and enter into the wonderful light of righteousness. We love to celebrate Christmas for God has forgiven us. God is with us in Christ, and this is the meaning of Christmas, for which we celebrate today with joy overflowing!
以馬內利 Immanuel
（馬太福音Matthew 1:18-25）
猶太人取名字一般都含有一些屬靈的意義，表達父母對孩子的一種祝願，或反映一些當時的屬靈光景。神也常常以名字來表示祂與人的關係。神為雅各起名為以色列，表示雅各並不滿足於物質上的安逸豐富，決心要得著神的最大的祝福，並且直到得著方願罷休。
耶穌在誕生前，天使便為祂起名為以馬內利，意思是神與我們同在。約瑟因為得到天使的報夢，也為他的孩子起名為耶穌，這就是耶穌降生的目的與使命。
從這兩個名字，我們就可以了解耶穌的救恩的意義，就是要把我們從罪中拯救出來，與神重建和好的關係，從此神就再次與人同在。
神與人同在，就是聖誕節最大喜的信息，也是耶穌帶給我們的真正喜樂和平安。基督徒喜歡聖誕節，並不是因為可以盡情狂歡或交換禮物，或有長假期去旅遊，乃是因為在這一天耶穌誕生了，為我們帶來神的愛和赦免，使凡接納這位救主的人，都獲得神同在的應許。
如何過一個有意義的聖誕節呢？我們可以邀請慕道朋友，或初信主的弟兄姊妹來家中吃晚飯，並與他們分享你的屬靈經歷。我們可以在團契中讓別人也經歷神的同在。
Naming a child in Jewish tradition is usually tied with some spiritual meaning to express the parents’ expectation or to commemorate certain spiritual experience. God also uses names to reveal His relationship to His people. God had named Jacob as Israel to recognize his eagerness to strive for the highest blessings from Him. Jacob would not satisfy for material goods or a smooth and stable live, he always wanted to get the highest blessings from God.
Before Jesus was born, the angel had given Him a name called Immanuel, which meant God with men. Joseph had also named his son Jesus after he dreamed of the angel talking to him. These two names tell exactly the purpose and the mission of the birth of this baby Jesus.
With these two names we can understand the meaning of Jesus’ redemption, which is delivering us from sin and reconciling us with God so that God can be with us again.
The greatest and most joyful message of Christmas is the message of God being with us. This is also the true peace and joy that Jesus has brought to us. We, as Christians, love Christmas not because of the endless parties, or exchanging gifts, or long holiday for vacation; but the birth of Jesus whom brought us the love and forgiveness of God so that for those who accept Christ as their savior will enter the fellowship with God.
How can we have a meaningful Christmas? We can invite friends, especially seekers or young Christians to have dinner fellowship at home to share God’s blessings with them, so that they will also experience the presence of God in this Christmas season.
猶太人取名字一般都含有一些屬靈的意義，表達父母對孩子的一種祝願，或反映一些當時的屬靈光景。神也常常以名字來表示祂與人的關係。神為雅各起名為以色列，表示雅各並不滿足於物質上的安逸豐富，決心要得著神的最大的祝福，並且直到得著方願罷休。
耶穌在誕生前，天使便為祂起名為以馬內利，意思是神與我們同在。約瑟因為得到天使的報夢，也為他的孩子起名為耶穌，這就是耶穌降生的目的與使命。
從這兩個名字，我們就可以了解耶穌的救恩的意義，就是要把我們從罪中拯救出來，與神重建和好的關係，從此神就再次與人同在。
神與人同在，就是聖誕節最大喜的信息，也是耶穌帶給我們的真正喜樂和平安。基督徒喜歡聖誕節，並不是因為可以盡情狂歡或交換禮物，或有長假期去旅遊，乃是因為在這一天耶穌誕生了，為我們帶來神的愛和赦免，使凡接納這位救主的人，都獲得神同在的應許。
如何過一個有意義的聖誕節呢？我們可以邀請慕道朋友，或初信主的弟兄姊妹來家中吃晚飯，並與他們分享你的屬靈經歷。我們可以在團契中讓別人也經歷神的同在。
Naming a child in Jewish tradition is usually tied with some spiritual meaning to express the parents’ expectation or to commemorate certain spiritual experience. God also uses names to reveal His relationship to His people. God had named Jacob as Israel to recognize his eagerness to strive for the highest blessings from Him. Jacob would not satisfy for material goods or a smooth and stable live, he always wanted to get the highest blessings from God.
Before Jesus was born, the angel had given Him a name called Immanuel, which meant God with men. Joseph had also named his son Jesus after he dreamed of the angel talking to him. These two names tell exactly the purpose and the mission of the birth of this baby Jesus.
With these two names we can understand the meaning of Jesus’ redemption, which is delivering us from sin and reconciling us with God so that God can be with us again.
The greatest and most joyful message of Christmas is the message of God being with us. This is also the true peace and joy that Jesus has brought to us. We, as Christians, love Christmas not because of the endless parties, or exchanging gifts, or long holiday for vacation; but the birth of Jesus whom brought us the love and forgiveness of God so that for those who accept Christ as their savior will enter the fellowship with God.
How can we have a meaningful Christmas? We can invite friends, especially seekers or young Christians to have dinner fellowship at home to share God’s blessings with them, so that they will also experience the presence of God in this Christmas season.
為意義而活 Men Live for Meaning
（路加福音2:25-32）
中國有一句老話說，人生之哀，莫大於心死。什麼是哀莫大於心死呢？就是說當人在極大失望的時候，便失去了生存的動力與勇氣。
Viktor Frankl 經過集中營的苦難後，體會了讓人有頑強求生力量的乃是盼望。盼望讓人產生生活的意義，提供求生的勇氣和力量，使人可以熬過最艱難的時刻。
當一個人有愈深刻的盼望，並且愈能體會它的實在，對生命就有更大的意義感，使他能面對更大的壓力、挑戰和困難。奧古斯丁經過半生的思考和體驗，發現上帝是人類最深刻的盼望，也是最真實可體會旳盼望，能夠使人那顆無法用任何事物去滿足的心靈獲得最大的滿足，讓他的下半生活在最大、最高的意義感中，為人類的思想史作出最偉大的貢獻。
公元初是猶太歷史最黑暗的時代，社會動盪，人心不安。一位老人名叫西面，心中懷著一個盼望，並且深信這盼望必成事實，便與死亡作最頑強的鬥爭。他要等候那位彌賽亞，就是先知早在六、七百年前所宣告的上帝的應許。他知道這位救贖主是上帝應許給以色列人和全人類的救贖。這位救主要解決全人類自文明開始便一直想解決但卻無能為力的問題，因此西面稱他為世界之光，是為萬民預備的救恩。
耶穌自誕生到今天已兩千多年了，真的如西面所宣告的，為人類帶來最大、最真實又可體驗的盼望，並讓千千萬萬的人獲得最大和最高的生活意義。普世都在預備迎接聖誕節的來臨，並認為它是盼望的節日，因為在兩千多年前的那一夜，為全人類誕生了一位救主，乃是上帝的獨生子耶穌基督。
There is an old Chinese saying, and it says that the most miserable thing is hopelessness. What does this saying mean? It means that if a person loses all his hope, he will also lose his will to live.
After surviving the concentration camp, Viktor Frankl came up with an understanding of the power of the will to meaning in life struggles. He maintains that hope will give meaning to life and provide energy to overcome challenge and difficulty.
If a person has a more profound hope, and he believes that it is real, that hope will give more meaning to his life situation to motivate him to face challenge and overcome pressure and difficulty.
After laboring for half of his life in thinking and reflecting, Augustine had realized that God was his most profound hope, and it was the truth that he could experience, which gave him the greatest meaning to satisfy his restless heart. Because of this hope had given him the sense of highest meaning in life, he made an excellent contribution in philosophy and theology in human history.
In the beginning of the century Israel went into the darkest era, and the whole society was so restlessly that every body was confused. A man named Simeon had a hope and he believed that his hope was about to fulfill so that he was struggling very hard to keep himself alive in his very old age. He was waiting for the Messiah whom the prophets had promised seven hundred years ago that God would prepare a savior. A savior would be given to all mankind to once and for all solve the problem that we cannot settle for thousand years since the dawn of human civilizations. Therefore, Simeon called this Messiah was the light of the world and he was coming for all peoples.
Jesus had come for more than two thousand years and fulfilled the word of Simeon to bring the real hope to all people to allow them to live the most meaningful lives. December is the month of Christmas, and the whole world is preparing a celebration to welcome the hope of Christmas because Jesus was born two thousand years ago to be our redeemer, the only begotten Son of God!
中國有一句老話說，人生之哀，莫大於心死。什麼是哀莫大於心死呢？就是說當人在極大失望的時候，便失去了生存的動力與勇氣。
Viktor Frankl 經過集中營的苦難後，體會了讓人有頑強求生力量的乃是盼望。盼望讓人產生生活的意義，提供求生的勇氣和力量，使人可以熬過最艱難的時刻。
當一個人有愈深刻的盼望，並且愈能體會它的實在，對生命就有更大的意義感，使他能面對更大的壓力、挑戰和困難。奧古斯丁經過半生的思考和體驗，發現上帝是人類最深刻的盼望，也是最真實可體會旳盼望，能夠使人那顆無法用任何事物去滿足的心靈獲得最大的滿足，讓他的下半生活在最大、最高的意義感中，為人類的思想史作出最偉大的貢獻。
公元初是猶太歷史最黑暗的時代，社會動盪，人心不安。一位老人名叫西面，心中懷著一個盼望，並且深信這盼望必成事實，便與死亡作最頑強的鬥爭。他要等候那位彌賽亞，就是先知早在六、七百年前所宣告的上帝的應許。他知道這位救贖主是上帝應許給以色列人和全人類的救贖。這位救主要解決全人類自文明開始便一直想解決但卻無能為力的問題，因此西面稱他為世界之光，是為萬民預備的救恩。
耶穌自誕生到今天已兩千多年了，真的如西面所宣告的，為人類帶來最大、最真實又可體驗的盼望，並讓千千萬萬的人獲得最大和最高的生活意義。普世都在預備迎接聖誕節的來臨，並認為它是盼望的節日，因為在兩千多年前的那一夜，為全人類誕生了一位救主，乃是上帝的獨生子耶穌基督。
There is an old Chinese saying, and it says that the most miserable thing is hopelessness. What does this saying mean? It means that if a person loses all his hope, he will also lose his will to live.
After surviving the concentration camp, Viktor Frankl came up with an understanding of the power of the will to meaning in life struggles. He maintains that hope will give meaning to life and provide energy to overcome challenge and difficulty.
If a person has a more profound hope, and he believes that it is real, that hope will give more meaning to his life situation to motivate him to face challenge and overcome pressure and difficulty.
After laboring for half of his life in thinking and reflecting, Augustine had realized that God was his most profound hope, and it was the truth that he could experience, which gave him the greatest meaning to satisfy his restless heart. Because of this hope had given him the sense of highest meaning in life, he made an excellent contribution in philosophy and theology in human history.
In the beginning of the century Israel went into the darkest era, and the whole society was so restlessly that every body was confused. A man named Simeon had a hope and he believed that his hope was about to fulfill so that he was struggling very hard to keep himself alive in his very old age. He was waiting for the Messiah whom the prophets had promised seven hundred years ago that God would prepare a savior. A savior would be given to all mankind to once and for all solve the problem that we cannot settle for thousand years since the dawn of human civilizations. Therefore, Simeon called this Messiah was the light of the world and he was coming for all peoples.
Jesus had come for more than two thousand years and fulfilled the word of Simeon to bring the real hope to all people to allow them to live the most meaningful lives. December is the month of Christmas, and the whole world is preparing a celebration to welcome the hope of Christmas because Jesus was born two thousand years ago to be our redeemer, the only begotten Son of God!
彌賽亞 Messiah
（彌迦書Micah 5:2-4）
彌迦書五章二至四節是有名的彌賽亞預言。彌賽亞的意思是被膏立的人。在希伯來文化和信仰上，受膏者是指那人被賦予一個特殊的位份，或被受權擔任一些重要的或神聖的事情等。在猶太人的文化和傳統裡，彌賽亞的身份往往與政治和軍事領袖相連在一起。在以色列亡國以後，彌賽亞更被賦予強烈的政治和軍事英雄的色彩，是以色列民族復國的盼望。
當耶穌出來傳天國的福音的時候，群眾甚至門徒一直都以為耶穌就是他們盼望已久的革命英雄，要帶領他們推翻羅馬政權，復興以色列國。這種誤解也成為耶穌被逼害，以至後來被釘十字架的一個重要原因。一直到耶穌復活，將要離開祂的門徒之前，門徒也還是抱著這個誤解，追問耶穌何時要光復以色列國。耶穌雖然多次向他們解釋，也坦白告訴他們關乎祂真正的使命，但門徒總是不能體會，也不能明白。直至五旬節聖靈降臨之後，他們才醒悟過來，明白神要藉著耶穌所成就的救贖計劃，並不是那麼狹隘的民族政治的目的，乃是關乎全人類的和好運動。
耶穌的救贖工作是和好的福音，先是神與人的和好，然後是人與人的和好。這個和好的福音能解決人類所有問題的最基本的辦法，不分種族和文化，因此它是普世的救贖，是傳福音和宣教的主要原因。
經文默想
我們已獲得了彌賽亞的救贖，並明白這個和好福音的意義與使命。我們也有先知的使命，向別人宣講神的審判與救贖。請你重讀這一段經文，思想自己在家人、朋友、同事和同學中間應擔負什麼角色，讓他們認識神的審判和救贖的信息？
Micah 5:2~4 is known as the Messianic prophecy. Messiah is the anointed one. In Hebrew faith and culture, the anointed person will be designated to a special position, or delegated with some important responsibility or divine task. In the Jewish culture and tradition, Messiah is always interpreted as the political or military leader. After the destruction of the Israel nation, Messiah was viewed as the future political and military hero who would liberate the Israel people from captivity and restore the Israel nation. Messiah was the national hope of the Israelite for more than a thousand years since then.
During the time of Jesus’ ministry of preaching the kingdom message, people, including His disciples, misunderstood Jesus as their national hero, whom they had been longing for ages to lead them to overthrow the Roman domination. They were expecting Jesus to restore the Israel nation for them, and this misconception put Jesus under persecution, and finally became one of the major reasons to hang Him on the cross. Until Jesus accented to heaven after His resurrection, His disciples were still asking Him about the date of the restoration of the Israel nation. Even though Jesus had explained to them many times, and told them His real mission, the disciples just did not get it. Until the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they started to realize that the redemptive plan of God fulfilled in the life of Jesus is to bring the good news of reconciliation to all mankind. Since then, the disciples abandoned the narrow perspective of viewing salvation as a national political endeavor, and the global mission movement begun.
The salvation of Jesus is the gospel of reconciliation. It reconciles first between God and people, and then people with people. This is the ultimate solution to all human problems with no discrimination in culture or ethnicity, for God’s salvation is for all people. It is also the reason of evangelism and missions.
Meditation on the Scripture:
We have been saved by this Messiah, and understand the meaning and mission of this good news. We also share the role and mission of the prophet, and obligate to tell people about God’s judgment and salvation. Please read this Bible passage to meditate on our role and responsibility to share this good news of reconciliation with our family, friends, coworkers and schoolmates.
彌迦書五章二至四節是有名的彌賽亞預言。彌賽亞的意思是被膏立的人。在希伯來文化和信仰上，受膏者是指那人被賦予一個特殊的位份，或被受權擔任一些重要的或神聖的事情等。在猶太人的文化和傳統裡，彌賽亞的身份往往與政治和軍事領袖相連在一起。在以色列亡國以後，彌賽亞更被賦予強烈的政治和軍事英雄的色彩，是以色列民族復國的盼望。
當耶穌出來傳天國的福音的時候，群眾甚至門徒一直都以為耶穌就是他們盼望已久的革命英雄，要帶領他們推翻羅馬政權，復興以色列國。這種誤解也成為耶穌被逼害，以至後來被釘十字架的一個重要原因。一直到耶穌復活，將要離開祂的門徒之前，門徒也還是抱著這個誤解，追問耶穌何時要光復以色列國。耶穌雖然多次向他們解釋，也坦白告訴他們關乎祂真正的使命，但門徒總是不能體會，也不能明白。直至五旬節聖靈降臨之後，他們才醒悟過來，明白神要藉著耶穌所成就的救贖計劃，並不是那麼狹隘的民族政治的目的，乃是關乎全人類的和好運動。
耶穌的救贖工作是和好的福音，先是神與人的和好，然後是人與人的和好。這個和好的福音能解決人類所有問題的最基本的辦法，不分種族和文化，因此它是普世的救贖，是傳福音和宣教的主要原因。
經文默想
我們已獲得了彌賽亞的救贖，並明白這個和好福音的意義與使命。我們也有先知的使命，向別人宣講神的審判與救贖。請你重讀這一段經文，思想自己在家人、朋友、同事和同學中間應擔負什麼角色，讓他們認識神的審判和救贖的信息？
Micah 5:2~4 is known as the Messianic prophecy. Messiah is the anointed one. In Hebrew faith and culture, the anointed person will be designated to a special position, or delegated with some important responsibility or divine task. In the Jewish culture and tradition, Messiah is always interpreted as the political or military leader. After the destruction of the Israel nation, Messiah was viewed as the future political and military hero who would liberate the Israel people from captivity and restore the Israel nation. Messiah was the national hope of the Israelite for more than a thousand years since then.
During the time of Jesus’ ministry of preaching the kingdom message, people, including His disciples, misunderstood Jesus as their national hero, whom they had been longing for ages to lead them to overthrow the Roman domination. They were expecting Jesus to restore the Israel nation for them, and this misconception put Jesus under persecution, and finally became one of the major reasons to hang Him on the cross. Until Jesus accented to heaven after His resurrection, His disciples were still asking Him about the date of the restoration of the Israel nation. Even though Jesus had explained to them many times, and told them His real mission, the disciples just did not get it. Until the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they started to realize that the redemptive plan of God fulfilled in the life of Jesus is to bring the good news of reconciliation to all mankind. Since then, the disciples abandoned the narrow perspective of viewing salvation as a national political endeavor, and the global mission movement begun.
The salvation of Jesus is the gospel of reconciliation. It reconciles first between God and people, and then people with people. This is the ultimate solution to all human problems with no discrimination in culture or ethnicity, for God’s salvation is for all people. It is also the reason of evangelism and missions.
Meditation on the Scripture:
We have been saved by this Messiah, and understand the meaning and mission of this good news. We also share the role and mission of the prophet, and obligate to tell people about God’s judgment and salvation. Please read this Bible passage to meditate on our role and responsibility to share this good news of reconciliation with our family, friends, coworkers and schoolmates.
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