With a blink of an eye, we are fast approaching Christmas and counting down the number of days left as we wrap up the year. What a blessing it is for us in TFL to be able to spend the occasion with you for the second time since our establishment. 

As we join in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, let us not be too caught up with all that is happening and forget the true meaning behind the act of giving in Christmas. 

There are many reasons why we give gifts during this time of the year. Some do it simply as an act of formality or merry-making- e.g. a company's gift exchange. Some give as an act of love and appreciation to those around us.

For the Christians, giving gifts could be a symbolic reminder of the true "Gift"— Jesus, who gives mankind life, ironically not through his birth, but more importantly with his death and resurrection as He paid the price of humanity sin on the cross.  Also, ‘giving’ in a Christian context, would remind one of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus at his birth: gold, frankincense and myrrh. These precious items were commonly presented to kings and deities in the ancient world. This reflected the esteemed position that Jesus held even as a baby. So why were these three items chosen of all things out there?  

Many Christian scholars believe this could be due to their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself — Gold representing his kingship, Frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and Myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming. 

What does Christmas and giving mean to you? 

May you be richly blessed both in giving and receiving this special season! 

The Four Loves