Christmas House Worship, 12/22

We had 26 in attendance last night for worship & fellowship: Eric/Angie/Lianne/Benji/Paula (Benji's friend)/Kathy (Angie's sister from Canada), Daniel/Sue-Ann/James, Qi/Su/Jeremy, Peony/Man-Yu, Loan/Julie/Allen, Larry, Katina, May, Ivan, Chen, Mai V, Dr. Gary Lin, Mai H/Thanh.

(1) We showed the Advent Calendar DVD (the Advent Calendar was started in 19th century Germany and has become a popular way to celebrate and learn about the various traditions during the Christmas season).
(2) We had a DVD quiz and learned that the following were based on tradition and NOT the Bible: enroute to Bethlehem Mary rode on a donkey while Joseph walked (they may have both rode on a donkey, camel, or on a cart); Angels sang when they appeared to the shepherds (they spoke and praised); there were 3 Magi (older traditions said there were 5); the Magi visited the Baby Jesus in a stable or cave (they visited the child in a house, probably many months later); and Jesus was born and placed in an animal food trough for bedding (which is true). Ivan WON, getting 4 out of 5 correct!
(3) Chen also pointed out that Jesus most likely was not born on Christmas Day.
(4) Allen's lesson added that a study of Old Testament prophecies and New Testament fulfillment showed the miracle that 450-500 years before Jesus was born that His birth was foretold that He would be born of a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in a small town known as Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) of David's lineage (Isaiah 9:6, 7) and that this was something unique/new in the world (Isaiah 42:1-9)! And it all CAME TRUE as proof that God IS working out His plan for saving mankind!

Prayer request: Angie's cancer, Thanh's health, Daniel/Sue-Ann/Tiffany/James visit to Singapore next week, Cindy's leave for Singapore to study.
Upcoming Events: Pepper Spray training class (possibly Monday, 12/24, or next week) at Qi/Su's house (will confirm tonight); Shroud Center Museum on Sat., 12/29, open from 1-4 p.m. & Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not-Museum afterwards.