Mail from Marilyn Ho!

Here's how our dear sister celebrated Christmas in Australia! 

 

18th December 2010, Saturday.

There was this church that had people from Austria (But trained in Japan therefore mainly Japanese girls) dancing to a ballet of Joseph and Mary and their adventure to Bethlehem and having baby Jesus. (The Nativity story) Interesting, no speech, nothing. Just ballet dancing across the stage. 

22nd December 2010, Wednesday.

We had an OCF (Overseas Christian Fellowship, its an Christian organisation for students that come from overseas which Mel and I join.) prayer meet on our usual Wednesday nights but since it was leading up to Christmas, we decided to have a Potbless Christmas dinner where everyone brings a dish and we hang out, meet new people and share the joy of this special season.

23rd December 2010, Thursday.

Mum and dad (Auntie Belinda and Uncle KQ) went for a church friend's Christmas dinner celebration.

While Mel and I prepare for our next Christmas dinner the day after (Friday) and watch a late night move.

24th December 2010, Friday.

A evening service in church for Christmas eve where dad and I serve as ushers. 

And Mel and I are going to a friend's place for Crabs (They love crabbing), Cranberry sauce (A common "jam" used to eat with meet especially meatballs) and Carolling. This is another potbless. You can tell, we love our food and parties.

25th December 2010, Saturday.

Yes, you guessed it, another dinner celebration! ;)

At our house again with our parent's friends. (All the aunties and uncles) While we little bubs try to tune in with that generation.

26th December 2010, Sunday. Boxing Day.

In Australia, there is this Christmas decoration competition that happen on houses where they register and compete for the main prize. ( I think its cash) These houses put up a great show. They can turn their plain old black tiled roof into santa's workshop with loads of lights happening, fake snow shipped in, Bubble machines shooting at you and blasting music to add to the atmosphere. Though we don't really have the "Orchard Road Deco" to enjoy, we have this. People usually have a little box placed outside of their amazingly well decorated house for people to drop in coins if they want. Usually they would use this money for a charity the family is supporting. Last year, it was reported that the house that won first prize had a total cost of a 10,000 dollars plus worth of electricity (I mean, c'mon imagine the whole neighbourhood's electricity is connected to you house. ITS JUST LIKE THAT!) and decorations. It was definitely insane. but it was beautiful. So we would be having a trail of OCF friends following us once I find out the top few houses that got judged and admire its beauty in the dark night sky.

That's just about it for us Ho's here in Perth, SEE YOU GUYS IN JANUARY 2011! :D

In Daddy God's love,

Marilyn.

Its Christmas again!

You better watch out,
You better not cry,
Better not pout,
I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town.

As you walk around shopping malls during this season, you'll hear the familiar Christmas songs and melodies being played from the stereos of shops and malls. You may even catch yourself singing to the tune of "Jingle bells" and "Santa Claus is coming to town". But hey!? is that the song you should be singing?
Even as we enjoy the festive season and all the hype of buying presents and the christmas sales! We must remember the true meaning of Christmas. The ONLY reason why Christmas is a time of celebration!

Take time to pause and remember that Christmas is a time where God's greatest gift to all mankind was brought to earth - a baby boy named Jesus.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10