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Reports on Christian persecution around the world have been on the rise. Burning of church buildings, beating and killing of Christian missionaries, pastors and believers are increasingly heard in more countries worldwide. Not only in traditionally hostile societies, but also in places where religious diversity and tolerance have previously existed, indescribable violence is now committed against Christians. 

On 22nd June 2023, Christianity Today reported, “At least 450 Christians have died in a series of attacks on Christian villages in three north-central Nigerian states since May, according to reports from religious freedom advocates.” Things are not getting any better for Christians, even in our continent, Asia. “An Evangelical group in India is calling for peace after 58 Christians were killed, dozens of churches were burned and tens of thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes due to ethnic violence in Manipur, a state in Northeast India that is home to more than 2.5 million people.”

Upon reading such reports of unrelenting persecutions and killings of Christians around the world, my mind was filled with the words of Paul in Romans 8:35-37, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

His Love Makes Persecuted Christians Conquerors

Indeed, Christians are conquerors. In fact, v. 37 declares that Christians are “more than conquerors”. This is truly a comforting message to Christians, for they live in a hostile world. Though they would face extreme hostilities, their faith shall not be quenched because the Word of God assures them that they shall be “more than conquerors”!

Paul has in vv. 35-36 written about the steadfastness of God’s love for believers in the face of hostility: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter”. Yet, Christians will be enabled to overcome sin, Satan, the world, temptations, reproaches, afflictions, persecutions, and thereby continue in their faith. The devil will trouble their souls with temptations and trials. Many Christians will suffer great afflictions. But they shall abide in their faith, love and service through thick and thin. In fact, they shall be “more than conquerors”.

Just what did the apostle mean when he referred to Christians as “more than conquerors”? He meant that they are winning a sweeping, overwhelming victory. The emphasis made here by the apostle is that in the midst of all the myriads of hostile experiences – yes, even by means of them and with their “help” – Christians shall show that they are more than conquerors!

They overcome their innumerable troubles, not by their own strength, but through the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves them. The ability to triumph over all adversity does not arise from any inherent superiority of believers, but rather, by the might of their loving Saviour, they will overcome their adversities. His love for them is the pledge of His help for them to be great overcomers.

Christ’s steadfast love will strengthen and enable us to endure affliction. Special favour of His love will strengthen us. We shall overcome all our afflictions, not by our natural powers, but by the special blessings of our Saviour’s love.

His Power Empowers His Afflicted

Yet another familiar verse comes to my mind that encourages every afflicted Christian: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9b).

Paul was buffeted by the messenger of Satan and afflicted with what he referred to as “a thorn in the flesh”. The Lord, who found it necessary that the trouble should remain in Paul’s life, assured him of His grace which was sufficient to strengthen and equip him to serve the Lord effectively. The Lord’s assurance that His grace was sufficient to support and strengthen Paul in his trial, made him a happy minister of the Gospel. So, he joyfully confessed, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Because of the glorious promise of the Lord’s sufficient and strengthening grace, Paul refused to be perturbed by his trial. Instead of being preoccupied with the trial, he committed himself to delight in the grace of the Lord that was made available to him. He was, in effect, saying, “I count it my joy to be afflicted if my trial will be the means to know the power of my great Redeemer.” Paul rejoiced that his weakness became the vehicle by which the Lord’s grace and power were most fully manifested to himself and to others. When the devil inflicted him with weakness and pain, the Lord “perfected his strength” in the midst of his weakness. It seems that Paul was saying that his weakness plus Christ’s power equal perfect power. Paul was not relying on his own strength, for he was full of weakness. He was most powerful, when he was least reliant on his own resources and most reliant on the Lord’s grace and power.

Self-reliance, which results from pride, is detrimental to our spiritual joy. So, it is to prevent the possibility of pride in Paul that the Lord permitted his trial. We should not, therefore, be bitter when afflictions are permitted in our lives. Only when we are emptied of ourselves, will our strength be perfected with Christ’s glorious power. Very often, the continuing weakness in Christians is necessary so that they might not confuse the power of God with their own power and lose God’s power by attempting to rely on themselves.

Like Paul, in order that you may be vessels of Christ’s glorious power, be glad to suffer the trials He would permit. If you are in the midst of trials, rejoice that His power shall rest (pitch a tent) in you. His power will keep your faith intact, and let you magnify Him against Satan’s evil devices.

1 Corinthians 15:3b-4 "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a very important doctrine of our Christian faith. Some of the important implications of Christ’s resurrection are mentioned below: 

• Christ’s resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament; so His resurrection proves that the Bible is true in all that it says, even about the future (Isaiah 53:10; Job 19:25-26; Psalms 16:9-11; 110:1).
• Christ’s resurrection from the dead proves that God has accepted His sacrifice for our sins (1 Peter 1:21).
• If Jesus had not been raised from the dead, the Gospel that we preach is not true, and all who believe on it would perish (1 Corinthians 15:17).
• Our justification was secured by Christ’s obedience to death, and therefore He was raised from the dead (Romans 4:25). 
• Christ’s resurrection is also a pledge of the resurrection of all believers (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:47-49; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2). 
• Because Christ is risen, He therefore now lives in heaven to intercede for us before the Father (Romans 8:34), and also to prepare a place in heaven for us (John 14:2-3).

Testimonies of New Members

Asher Vijayandran

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

I was born and raised in a Hindu family, praying and offering sacrifices to idols. Growing up, like most of the teens in my neighbourhood, I started mixing around with bad company. I joined gangs and started smoking and drinking. I even became very rebellious and strayed to the wrong path, engaging in all kinds of illegal activities, including peddling of drugs on the streets. Soon, I started abusing drugs and became addicted myself. My parents detested me and my siblings wished I were dead. I failed in my responsibility as a son and a brother. All I cared for was my friends in the drug circle. Because of my drug addiction, I’d been in and out of prison 6 times! 

On my second last “visit” (i.e. my 5th time) to prison where I was sentenced 2 years, I started attending Chapel and Bible services inside prison, but I wasn’t too serious about it. Upon my release in 2013, one of my childhood friends, Rufus, kept talking to me about Jesus and his church. During that time, I was going through a lot of financial and social problems, I started drinking a lot and also consuming a lot of depression pills. Out of desperation one day, I “blindly” followed my friend Rufus to this big church called “New Creation Church”. During the worship, I felt so guilty about what kind of person I was and whatever I did in my life. The pastor, after preaching about “Love of God Calling Sinners to Repentance and New Life in Christ”, asked who wanted to accept Christ. I immediately put up my hand and repeated the sinner’s prayer. After that church service, I signed up for water baptism, and I was baptized in New Creation Church on 17 May 2014. 

Though a new Christian, I wasn’t really serious in my walk with God. I just thought it was “cool” being a Christian worshipping in a mega church. I really didn’t understand the truth of God’s salvation work. New Creation Church kept preaching about the Gospel of grace, and that we need not worry about our current and future sins because Jesus had paid for them at the cross. I took it somehow as a licence to sin because I had the misguided confidence that whatever sins I did, Jesus will forgive them. I backslided, and somehow went back to my old ways. Soon, I stopped attending church and chose to spend time with my drug circle friends once more. Sadly, I was back on drugs and again ended up in prison (for the 6th time). At that point of time, my family really gave up all hope on me. They even said that the so-called Hindu gods were angry and were punishing me for becoming a Christian. I knew I deserved all the bad things they said about me, but it really pained me and made me feel so guilty when they despised Christianity because I had brought shame to it. 

That was when I went on my knees inside my prison cell and cried out to God. I asked God for forgiveness and told Him to guide me henceforth. I started reading my Bible every day, as well as attending the in-prison Bible Study conducted by Pr Kelvin from Gethsemane BPC. Slowly, Pr Kelvin guided me and taught me God’s Word. God also gave me a strong desire to read His Word. When I was out of prison and came to “The Helping Hand” for my rehabilitation programme, I continued to keep in touch with Pr Kelvin, who invited me to Gethsemane Church a few months later. I thank God for this church and for Pastor Koshy who expounds God’s Word accurately and teaches us without fear or favour. My belief system and way of thinking changed as I was impacted by the messages, week after week in Gethsemane. I really am so grateful to the Lord for Gethsemane that I decided to be a member after a year of attending the church. By the grace of God, I have faithfully attended all of the lessons of the Catechism Class. 

During this Catechism Class, I have learnt much truth from God’s Word. I’ve learnt much about Creation and the origin of man; about what sin is and how much God hates sin; about our Lord Jesus Christ’ life, death and resurrection; about God’s plan of salvation; about bearing a good testimony for Christ and prayer; about the end-times and the Lord’s return. Through this Catechism Class, I have been taught the doctrinal stand of GBPC, as opposed to the false teachings of the Charismatic Movement. 

I have learnt a lot after attending Gethsemane. God has opened my eyes to His Truth. I really want to thank God for His grace and mercy for me that have found and met me at the lowest point in my life. As broken relationships in my family are being restored, I want my family to witness my redeemed life and see the living God working in my life. God has opened a way for me to take part-time courses at FEBC. I want to encourage more brothers like me who are in the bondage of drugs and are suffering silently. I pray that God will show mercy on all these souls that I will be reaching out to. I am so grateful to God, and the leaders of this church for working so hard for Christ. I want to be a part of Gethsemane Church. Finally, after learning the truth about baptism and the reason why we believers have to go through it, I sincerely wish to be baptized and continue growing here as well. May God answer my heartfelt prayer, and may His “goodness and mercy … follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6).

Valentina Quezon

I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family in the Philippines. I grew up, being surrounded with non-Christian friends influencing me to drink and do many worldly things. In year 2017, I was invited to a Christian church, where by the power of God’s Word preached by the pastor, I believe in Jesus that day. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. I rejoiced in this verse and was convicted that Jesus is the only way for me to be saved as a sinner. 

In 2021, the Lord answered my prayer and led me to Singapore to work as a domestic helper. Deep in my heart I felt something missing, as I wanted to go to church and worship God but didn’t know how. One day, I met Asher Vijay on Facebook, where he invited me to worship at GBPC. When I first attended GBPC on 24 March 2022, I was impressed by the warm and welcoming church people, who also invited me to attend GFF. For a foreigner like me coming from overseas to work here, this felt like “home” to me. By continually attending GBPC, I got to know more and more of God’s truth in His Word. Pastor Koshy’s preaching is very encouraging and motivating for me as a new believer. It helps me to learn to walk more closely with the Lord, and not in the ways of the world. 

God has put a desire in my heart to attend the Catechism Class, and I thank God for the opportunity to learn His Word, and for such a blessing for my spiritual life. Thank God for the church elders who teach this Catechism Class. Through the true teaching of the Bible, I began to understand many church doctrines and Gospel truths which I previously didn’t know about. God showed me how much He loved and cared for me by sending His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life that I cannot live. Though I have been living a sinful life, yet because of His love for me, He died a horrific death on the cross for my past, present and future sins. He thus became my Substitute for my sins. I know that I have been living a selfish life of materialistic ambitions and self-delusion. I’ve cried to God, and I repent of my sins and surrender my life to Him. Not only I must believe, but I must also surrender everything to Him, and follow Him by obeying His words and commandments. I will trust and love Jesus with all my heart, and mind, and strength, because He has loved me first. 

Though difficulties and struggles may come, and relationships may fail, I will trust in Him. I do not know what the future holds for me, but I know my heavenly Father holds my future. “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4). I thank God for GBPC and for all His faithful servants. To God be the glory and honour.

The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is a story of great wonder – not only because it is a story of God’s redemptive love towards a defiant and sinful people (cf. Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 3:1), but also because it is a story of the One who was born as fully God and fully human (Jn 1:1-2, 14). The Person of Christ, a great mystery and wonder, has been a subject of much controversy in church history because of the efforts of some in explaining the biblical portrayal of Jesus Christ philosophically and academically. Below are some of the prominent controversies on the Person of Christ that had arisen in the past:

• In the fourth century, Arianism denied Christ’s deity, and claimed that He was created before all other creatures and that He had an exalted status as the agent through whom everything else was made. It was denounced in the Council of Nicea (AD 325), which affirmed that Christ is fully God, not a creature as the Arians erroneously taught. (Incidentally, Jehovah’s Witnesses of modern days propagate this ancient Arianism.)
• In the fifth century, two heresies concerning Christ’s Person started to spread: (1) Nestorianism, which taught that there were two separate persons, one human and one divine, in the incarnate Christ; (2) Monophysitism, which taught that in the Person of Christ there was only one nature, and it was His divine nature. These two teachings were rejected as heresies in the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). 

Those heresies were dealt with decisively in the Council of Chalcedon, where the Council affirmed, concerning Christ, that Christ is one Person with two natures. The truth that it declared was that Christ is truly Man and truly God (vera homo, vera Deus). Christ has a true human nature and a true divine nature, and these two natures are perfectly united in one Person. The Council also insisted that each nature retains its own attributes. Christ did not lay aside any of His divine attributes. The divine nature of Christ is eternal and immutable. Christ did not set aside any of His divine attributes when He came to this earth. His human nature also retains the attributes of humanity; it is finite and restricted by space and time. The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) stated: “Christ is one person with a fully divine nature and a fully human nature, and His natures are without mixture, without change, without division, without separation.”

Rev. Thomas Jones: The Pioneer of the Welsh Presbyterian Mission in Khasi Hills

Written by Rev. Sujith Samuel

Khasi Hills is an area in the state of Meghalaya in India. Shillong (capital city of Meghalaya), and Cherrapunji (also known as Sohra, one of the wettest places in the world) are important towns in Khasi Hills. Khasi people are the native inhabitants of this area and they speak the Khasi language. According to the census data of the govt. of India (2011), 70 percent of Khasi people follow the Christian religion. Presbyterian Church of India is one of the largest Christian denominations among the Khasi people group. Presbyterian missionaries from Wales and England played important roles in spreading the Christian faith among the Khasi people, and also in other parts of North East India. Rev. Thomas Jones is the pioneer missionary who arrived in Khasi Hills and spearheaded the Gospel proclamation among the inhabitants.

His Early Life and Call to Missions

Thomas Jones was born on 24th January 1810 in a Welsh family. His father, Edward Jones, was a carpenter. From his childhood, he took keen interest in carpentry, farming, coal mining, etc. As part of a Christian family, he also took great interest in attending church. He started preaching the Gospel at the age of 25. He also developed a growing desire to serve the Lord as a full-time minister. He was admitted as a ministerial student in a Calvinistic Methodist college, namely College of Presbyterian Church of Wales. (This denomination traces its roots to the Welsh Methodist Revival; it was also known as Calvinistic Methodist Church). After the completion of his studies, he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in the Presbyterian Church of Wales in 1840. His desire was to serve in a foreign country, and India was the place of his interest. The church and college advised him to apply to London Missionary Society (LMS), as they were also supporting LMS in its mission works in various places, including India. He applied to LMS, with mention of his health concerns about serving in a hot and humid climate. They further recommended the mission agency to send him to places where the temperature was moderate. Upon LMS appointing doctors to examine his health, the mission society concluded that South Africa would be a suitable place for him to start the mission work. Initially, Rev. Jones agreed to their decision. Later, he regretted that he gave his consent. His desire to serve in India grew day by day, and later he wrote to the mission board requesting them to send him as a missionary to India. He consulted three famous doctors and got medical reports confirming that he was fit to serve in Indian climate. But the board refused to change their decision. He refused to change his decision, and informed the board that he was not willing to go to any other place than India.

Rev. Thomas Jones returned to his home parish in Liverpool and explained his situation. (His parents were settled in Liverpool at this time). His denomination decided to severe the ties with LMS, due to their unwillingness to send him to India. A new mission society was incorporated on 31st January 1840 by the denomination, called “Welsh Presbyterian Calvinistic Mission Methodist Foreign Missionary Society”. Rev. Jacob Tomlin, who was a former missionary of LMS in Malacca, suggested Khasi Hills as a mission field for Rev. Jones. Rev. Tomlin had stayed in Cherrapunji for some time before his return to England, and saw it as a suitable place for Rev. Jones to start the work. The society approved of his suggestion, and Rev. Jones agreed to go to Khasi Hills as a missionary. At the age of 30, together with his pregnant wife (Anne Jones), he took a ship to Kolkata, India. The journey took several months, and on 23rd April 1840, they reached Kolkata. He was given a warm welcome by Scottish Presbyterian missionaries (like Dr Alexander Duff) upon his arrival. But on the second day of his arrival, his wife Anne Jones had delivery, and the baby did not survive. Dr Duff and other Christian families became an encouragement to Rev. Jones and his family in this time of affliction and trial. He drew comfort from Scripture, in particular 2 Samuel 12:23. When King David lost his child, he said, “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” Like David, Rev. Jones and his wife put their hope in the promises of God. They continued their missionary journey to Cherrapunji by taking a boat to reach Sylhet, a city in Bangladesh. They had to climb steep hills to reach Cherrapunji. They travelled on horse, and at times men had to carry Mrs Jones in a basket. Finally, they reached Cherrapunji on 22nd June 1841. (Incidentally, June 22 is designated as Thomas Jones day in Meghalaya, and is a public holiday to commemorate the contributions of Rev. Jones.)

His Life in Khasi Hills and Mission Work

Rev. Jones and family was well received by Lieut. Lewin, a British government official. He desired to be in a place which was not hot and humid. The Lord guided him to a place where there was rain every day, even in the summer season. In a letter written to the mission society to inform about his arrival in Cherrapunji, he wrote that he had to spend a lot of time drying his clothes, books and other items which were even inside boxes. Rain, though unstoppable, didn’t deter him from pursuing his calling and work. He immediately started to learn the Khasi language to speak with the local people. Within eight months, he became fluent in the Khasi language. The Khasi language at that time didn’t have a script. Rev. Jones developed a script for the language using the Roman alphabet. He first translated the Lord’s prayer into Khasi and later, the Gospel of Matthew, a catechism about the basics of the Christian faith and many other works, including hymns. For his contributions to the Khasi language, he was regarded as the “father of Khasi alphabet” and the “founder of modern Khasi literature”. He saw language not only as a tool for him to communicate with the people, but also to enable people to learn more about God by reading God’s Word and to communicate to God through prayers and hymns.

Villagers were eager to learn new things from him. He started to teach them new ways to do carpentry, agriculture, etc. He encouraged them to read and write in the Khasi language. Seeing his contributions to the village in various fields, the chief of the village gave a piece of land for the mission work in Nongsawlia in Cherrapunji. The first Presbyterian church (Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church), a school, a theological college, and two mission houses were established in the land given. He gave much importance to educating children as he understood that was the way forward to educate them on the Christian faith. In a letter written to the mission board, he wrote: “The only plan which appears to me likely to answer a good purpose is to establish schools in the various languages and to instruct them the principles of Christian religion… and when we shall have translated and printed the Holy Scripture, we shall have some at least, in every family to read them…and I would regard this as an important step towards their evangelisation.”  He used to give money to children as a reward for learning some pages in a selected work in Khasi. He also procured resources from Wales to teach them English, and started taking English classes for children. Students who studied well were appointed as local teachers to teach in new places. In 1846, two natives, u Amor and u Rujon, got converted as a result of his mission efforts and were baptized. He saw drunkenness among the Khasi locals, and encouraged them to repent and believe in Jesus. He said, “I spoke to them on the evils of drunkenness, and urge them to repent and seek forgiveness. They assented to the truth of my remarks, and I succeeded in drawing a large number away from the old women who sold the drink.” 

His Latter Years and Call to Home

On 22nd April 1846, while delivering their second child, Anne Jones, his dear wife, died. Rev. Jones decided to marry Emma Cattell, who was a minor. The mission society didn’t approve of his remarriage and they stopped officially endorsing his work as a representative of the society. He used to teach natives how to do coal mining on their own. This caused opposition for his work from industrialist Harry Inglis, who was exploiting locals by taking land from locals for lease. He was forced to leave Khasi Hills in 1849. By the time he left, the church he planted had 21 baptised communicant members. The natives continued the mission work he started, and more churches were planted in many parts of Meghalaya. Rev. Jones went to Kolkata and he was diagnosed with malaria. As he was preparing for return to his home country, God called him to his eternal home, to be safe in the arms of His Saviour and Lord Jesus, on 16th September 1849, at the age of 38.

(This article is written based on two books written by Rev. Dr J F Jyrwa—“The Wondrous Works of God” and “A Brief Life Sketch on the Life and Works of Rev. Thomas Jones”.)

Beloved brethren,

Once again, as Christmas draws near, we have yet another occasion to declare the Gospel of salvation. This season should not be wasted on just worldly fun and enjoyment. Christmas offers a unique opportunity to share the Good News with those who are still lost in their sins.

What great salvation God has bestowed on us! He has lifted us out of the “miry clay” of sin and washed us with the blood of His Son, so that the right to be His children might be bestowed upon us, now and forever.

Scripture repeatedly urges us not to slacken in our efforts to bear witness to the Lord’s salvation. Just consider the following portions of Scripture that exhort us to declare His name joyfully, some of which are words of dedication from the thankful hearts of His redeemed:

• “My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; or I know not the numbers thereof” (Psalm 71:15).
• “Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people” (Psalm 96:2-3).
• “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).
• “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:14-15).

How can we be silent about the great salvation God has prepared for us in Christ Jesus, who was born as the Saviour of mankind? How can we refrain from exalting and declaring the saving name of our God? Communicating Christ’s saving name must be our passion always. We should not be hesitant to talk about our Saviour. Neither should we become weary of declaring His glorious salvation.

If you have received His salvation, should you not devote yourself to being a thankful and fervent witness for Christ? Will you not commit yourself to lift the name of Christ, who was born to give His life on the cross to save you? Will you not join the company of saints who are preparing themselves to win souls through the preaching of the Gospel?

When it comes to exalting Christ as the Saviour of sinners, do not be a disinterested Christian. Do not procrastinate telling others about Christ, for the night is coming when no man can work. Like all thankful, genuine Christians, let us also follow our Saviour, who manifested great readiness and urgency in reaching out to sinners to tell them the Good News. He said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Like the psalmist, each of us must be able to say, “I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation” (Psalm 40:10b). So should every Gethsemanean be a proclaimer of Christ, the Saviour.

You may plan a Christmas get-together and present the Gospel through Christmas songs and tracts, or have a short Gospel message shared by a preacher. You can also invite your friends to the Christmas caroling sessions (at three homes) organised by GAF (24th Dec), or the Christmas Day service (25th Dec), during which the Good News of Christ will be declared.

Remember, Christmas is not commemorated when Christ and His salvation are not proclaimed. All such celebrations are Christless Christmas!