Christmas reminds us why we celebrate this season at all: the birth of Jesus Christ, God who chose to step into our world as one of us so that we may be redeemed. At this Christmas traditional service at Wesley Methodist Church, we were gently but clearly reminded that the light of Christ does not merely warm our hearts — it calls us to transformation.
The light of Christ does not merely warm our hearts — it calls us to transformation.
The 8.30am service was served by the combined choir of the John Wesley Choir, Wesley Chorale and the Sunbeams Children’s Choir. Their presence was a quiet but powerful reminder of childlike faith — simple, trusting and unburdened by pretence. As the liturgy unfolded, we were drawn again to the truth that God is the Alpha and the Omega, the source of all life. In the prayer of confession, we were confronted with our tendency toward materialism and misplaced desires yet reassured that God’s grace is freely given to all who receive Christ and become children of God.
CANDLE LIGHTING AND OPENING
The lighting of the Christ candle symbolised the light entering a dark world through Jesus’ birth, and the passing of the flame reflected how this hope continues to spread from person to person. The reading from Isaiah 9:6–7, woven together with the refrain of O Come, All Ye Faithful, anchored our worship in the promise of a King whose reign is marked by justice, peace and righteousness.
The opening hymn, All Earth Is Waiting, captured the longing of creation for the Promised One. Heard today, it also points us beyond the manger — to our present world marked by unrest, conflict and quiet personal struggles — reminds us that Christ’s coming still matters deeply now.
SERMON: “ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS”
Rev Raymond Fong’s sermon centred on Matthew 2:1–12 and invited us to reflect on a simple but searching question: Who is our king? In the biblical account, we see two very different kings. King Herod represents a self-serving ruler, driven by fear, insecurity and the need to stay in control. His violent response to the news of Jesus’ birth exposes the darkness of a heart that clings to power at all costs.
In contrast, Jesus is revealed as the true King — one who comes not with force, but with humility. Pastor Raymond reminded us that Jesus confronts our own “self-serving kings”: the desire for control, the pull of envy and jealousy and the subtle deceptions we tell ourselves to feel secure. These are forms of sin that quietly shape our lives yet cannot truly save us.
Jesus, however, is also our Shepherd King. Like the shepherd of Psalm 23, He knows His people, provides for them and leads them into green pastures. This was a message of hope for anyone feeling lost, weary or uncertain. The gospel of Christmas is that the King became like us, lives for us and walks with us.
The gospel of Christmas is that the King became like us, lives for us and walks with us.
The Magi’s costly gifts — gold, frankincense and myrrh — were highlighted as acts of true worship. They gave not out of convenience, but out of surrender. In the same way, Pastor Raymond called us to a deeper understanding of discipleship: following Christ means dying to sin — especially materialism, envy, jealousy and self-deception — and offering God not just words, but obedient lives.
The sermon ended with a clear invitation: Christmas is not only about remembrance but also about response. We are called to a fresh surrender and a fresh start — choosing again to let Christ be King over every part of our lives.
RESPONSE AND SENDING FORTH
The sanctuary was filled with familiar carols — O Come, All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Angels We Have Heard on High. Sung together, they reminded us that these beloved songs are not mere tradition but declarations of faith.
The service concluded joyfully with Joy to the World and Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, followed by the postlude Rise Up, Go Tell It. As we were sent forth, the message was clear: having encountered Christ, we are to carry His light into our homes, workplaces and communities — living out the hope, humility and obedience that Christmas calls us to embrace.
(Photos by Jon Goh and CJ Goh)
View and download more Christmas Day Services photos here
Read also: Christmas Carnival at Kelantan: Bringing Joyful Christmas Cheer and Love to Our Neighbourhood
