Christians Urged To Pray For Nelson Mandela

Cape Town’s Anglican Archbishop has asked fellow Christians to pray for Nelson Mandela.

Mr Mandela, 94, was admitted into hospital on 8 December, and is receiving treatment for gallstones and a lung infection.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba fasted for 3 days after Mandela was hospitalised; and is urging the Christian community to pray his health is restored.

While officials have said his condition has improved, it is likely that the former South African president will spend Christmas in hospital.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has said that he is also praying for the Mandela family.

Has Christmas Lost Its Meaning?

Only a few more days until Christmas!

Are you excited?

It seems that the festive spirit has captured a lot of people. Whether you walk, drive, or run your errands by public transport it’s not hard to miss fairy lights sprawled all over people’s homes and people in Santa hats.

Not to mention the Christmas parties! Colleges, universities, workplaces and churches have all held their events by now in anticipation for one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar.

But why are people in such a good mood for 25th? Is it because Jesus Christ was born to the virgin Mary? Or is it because it is a national holiday across many countries in the world and an excuse to spend your work pay or student loan- what’s left of it- on gifts?

Arguably, society today are generally more concerned with the festivities and fun Christmas bring- not that there is anything wrong with enjoying the period. The problem though, is that it appears that people have forgotten its message. Christmas should be important not only to people of the Christian faith, but to society as a whole.

Please remember why we as brothers and sisters celebrate this day.

Matthew 1:23: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (KJV)

How Are You Spending Christmas?

How will you be spending Christmas? Work commitments may be keeping us on campus during the festive period, or even money issues might be hindering you from travelling back home to spend the 25th with your family.

It feels like just yesterday we were all beginning the academic year full of energy and optimism for the coming months. The majority of us promised that we would attend every lesson, lecture, seminar or lab session we had on our timetable. Assignments would be begun from the day they we were informed of them and there would be no waiting to the last minute.

Some of us stuck to these promises. Some of us didn’t. Now only a few months down the line, that special and cherished time of the year has dawned upon us again and it appears that time has not been our friend.

No matter how you are spending one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar, remember the meaning behind Christmas. We have been taught this for years and are reminded each year but it’s still easy to cast this out of our minds and become consumed with buying presents, and organising outings with friends.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Church Donates 8,000 Shoe Boxes To Liberian Children

Remember making shoe boxes in school at Christmas? Or even maybe more recently at your local church? Jesus House Church, one of London’s largest Pentecostal churches located in Brent Cross have gathered 8,000 shoe boxes brimming with gifts for children in Liberia.

Originally seeking to just collect 5,000 shoe boxes, the Church decided to aspire higher and have finally collected 8,000 boxes which fill an entire container. The shoe boxes were obtained for charity Samaritan Purse’s annual campaign “Operation Christmas Child”.

Head of Social Responsibility at Jesus House Church Mrs Sola Irukwu gushed, “For most of us it was a life-changing experience.”

These thoughtful donations are inspirational and set a good example for other churches who aim to support charities and organisations helping  the less fortunate, especially during the festive season.

What help can you give?