NHCF Blog

by Herman GroenewaldChristmas to me has always been a family time to celebrate the birth of Christ, going to church together and sharing a Christmas dinner.It has always brought to my mind those left out in the cold, on the streets of cities and towns sleeping under carboard boxes without food. Many a time I joined a few friends to take food to these street people late on Christmas night in the middle of Johannesburg.It helps me to remember that Jesus was first seen by ordinary people, the shepherds in the fields. For many years I have worked amongst the informal settlement people of Lanseria sharing the good news on a Sunday. The news of great joy for everyone.  Luke reminds us.8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”However so many people today still do not know about the good news or the true meaning of Christmas. It is a continued reminder about sharing the news to those without, the avenues are many.For a number of years, before moving overseas our daughter would arrange presents for some of the children in the Lanseria informal settlement and we would then have a party with them on Christmas morning.Christmas also brings to my mind what the shepherds did after seeing the Christ child.6 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. The importance to me of Christmas is the sharing of the message of Good News and the Glory of God and that here is a celebration in heaven when it happens. 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” Blessings,Herman Groenewald

by John Doyle "And the Angel said to them Fear not for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto us is born this day in the City of David a Savior Who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11 I am sure like me you enjoy the Christmas season. I love the cheerful decorations that my wife Barbara has put up in our home, Barbara and I love spending time with family and friends, and eating Christmas goodies. One of my very favorite parts of Christmas, though, is singing Christmas Carols with my daughter Jenni playing the piano and we all take the opportunity to join in with her singing the Carols together. One of my all time Christmas favorite's is “JOY TO THE WORLD” This is one of the ways we as Gods people announce to the World the very reason for Christmas. Read Psalm 98 and you will see where Isaac Watts’s eighteenth century Carol celebrating the coming of Jesus, is from. v 4 says "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth, break forth into joyous song and sing Praises" The joy of the Savior’s coming resounds throughout all of creation, even the fields and rocks and hills and plains “repeat the sounding joy.” This is great news that this World we live in needs to hear for all of God’s people as we go through this difficult time. What’s so special about this news announced in song each Christmas? Why sing this carol with such exuberance? Watts answers that question in the verses of the song, where he declares that Jesus has come to deal with the curse of human sin. Through Jesus death, burial and resurrection Jesus brings the blessings as “far as the curse is found.” We have been released from bondage to sin and the power of death over us, we are now freed to live with joy, to love God and our neighbor, and declare the Joy we have in Jesus to peoples of this earth that God sends our way. So let’s sing with joy that good news: “JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME” Our Prayer for today is:Dear Lord Jesus, you have come and released us from the ­power of sin and death. Thank you Lord, please help us to live in ways that will proclaim the wonders of your love this Christmas time and until we see you Face to Face. In the Love of the Lord Jesus,John and Barbara Lets sing along together as we get closer to that Day when "Joy to the World" came through the Birth of our Lord and Savior. Joy to the world! The Lord is comeLet earth receive her King!Let every heart prepare Him roomAnd heaven and nature singAnd heaven and nature singAnd heaven, and heaven and nature sing Joy to the world! The Savior reignsLet men their songs employWhile fields and floodsRocks, hills and plainsRepeat the sounding joyRepeat the sounding joyRepeat, repeat the sounding joyhttps://www.youtube.comhttps://youtu.be/30OaM6b48k8/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E

by Graham MolAs we enter the Christmas season this year and wrap up the blog for 2020, we have decided to run a series of posts based on the theme: "What Christmas Means to Me"The story of Christ's birth is a well-known and beloved one. A story that continues to have deep meaning for us and is treasured to this day. Although the Christmas story will always be the same, the experience and significance of Christmas is unique to each one of us. It is also one that changes as we go through different seasons of our lives.Up until the final blog post on 18 December our contributors will be sharing what Christmas means to them personally. We pray that as they do so you will be reminded of the wonder and beauty of Christmas and perhaps gain new perspectives and insights regarding this season of good tidings and great joy.I'd like to now leave you with the lyrics to a song written by Carole and Doreen, both long standing members of New Harvest, which inspired this theme... What Christmas Means to MeAs I sit here reminiscing of the Christmas's I've knownAs I think of friends and loved ones - some of them already homeI remember all the laughter, every seasonal good wishAnd I want to sing my Christmas song which goes like thisThank You Father God in HeavenFor the Gift that You have givenIt came wrapped in straw on a stable floorBut it's worth more than gold to meChristmas means the old, old storyWhen the angels sang of gloryAnd a baby in a mangerThat's what Christmas means to meFor there was an evening long ago when angels came to earthSang to shepherds of the glory that was that night given birthAnd there was a star that shone so bright it guided three wise menBringing gifts of gold and frankincense to BethlehemThank You Father God in HeavenFor the Gift that You have givenIt came wrapped in straw on a stable floorBut it's worth more than gold to meChristmas means the old, old storyWhen the angels sang of gloryAnd a baby in a mangerThat's what Christmas means to meBut so often we forget Him during all the Christmas rushSpending money that we haven't got and making such a fussOh yes we sing our carols, go to Church on Christmas DayBut how often do we sit with Him and gently sayThank You Father God in HeavenFor the Gift that You have givenIt came wrapped in straw on a stable floorBut it's worth more than gold to meChristmas means the old, old storyWhen the angels sang of gloryAnd a baby in a mangerThat's what Christmas means to me God BlessGraham