O Come , O Come, Emmanuel

Dear Diary,

Feeling much better now. Since late last night, I was feeling weak, slightly feverishly, had stomach cramps and diarrhoea. What a feeling to have for Christmas. I was struggling to wake up to attend the 8am Christmas Day service this morning. Initially, had entertained thoughts of not attending it but did not want to disappoint the three friends whom I invited for the service. I was praying that I would be safe and God was gracious indeed. I went to church, met the three friends (1 ex-colleague and 2 former students) and attended that service. I left for home right after the service though. That was Christmas morning for me.

Last night, Christmas Eve, was really horrible. I almost fainted midway the Midnight Eucharistic service. I was attending the “Songs and Carols” service (10 – 11pm) and then the Midnight Eucharist (11 – 1am). About 12am midnight, I was gripped by a severe cramping discomfort in my abdomen. I ignored it, concentrating on the prayer as I knelt. However, cold perspiration broke out and then my vision started to blur. It was kinda scary because I never felt that way in my entire life! Later my sister told me that the “fainting” feel is very common among girls, hmm... I struggled and lumbered out of the cathedral, trying to inhale some fresh air. I survived, gripping on railings and chairs as I moved around. I did not exactly disclose it to my family at that point of time. Back home, I took famotidine, meteospasmyl and activated charcoal. Felt much better but later suspected food poisoning, so took lateol forte.

I was wondering if the catered food that they served in office was the cause of it... hmmm... sigh. I have been eating loads of food in recent times. Thanks to buffets and gatherings. Anyway, for this Christmas season, it was highly eventful for me. On Sunday (21 Dec), I actually baked tapioca cake with the help of mum and brought it to the Christmas pot-luck party organised by a university classmate. She invited some of her secondary school friends too. We had great food and ice-breaker games which were fun. Maybe I haven’t quite “play” for a long time, hehe... The party could be better if they played Christmas carols in the background. ;-) It was nice to catch up with some old friends. Sent one of them home after that.

On Monday (22 Dec), some people from our Japanese headquarters came in the morning and we had a long meeting from 8.30am to 11.30am before adjourning for international lunch buffet at the Parkroyal Hotel (former Plaza Hotel). After the lunch with the Japanese, it was time to meet the delegates from Kuala Lumpur. We had a strategic meeting with one of their suppliers and I would say that the meeting was a success. By then, it was 4pm and I was super exhausted. Meetings can be very “draining”. Went for Salsa dance class after work. It is always quite fun to just dance around. However, over the last week or so, I am beginning to identify my resolutions for the year 2009. With much consideration, I decided I had to cut down on certain activities and give priority to others so as to achieve the objectives I am intending to set. I will stop dancing classes by the end of this year. I am also leaving out my dream of completing a marathon next year.

After dance class, I sat at the Elizabeth Walk with a college friend who asked if I am interested to draw up business plans for a possible partnership in the near future. I am considering the possibility. There are just so many things that will divide one’s attention! I certainly need to prioritise them. Then on Tuesday (23 Dec), it was stock-take and I carried dusty goods around to count. Thank God it is just a bi-annual event. After the stock-take, I rushed home. Bathed, changed to clean clothes and headed to Plaza Singapura. There I changed into a Roman Centurion soldier costume and paraded in the Plaza Singapura’s atrium and the Christmas Village just outside the shopping mall. Initially it felt weird to have everyone’s eyes transfixed upon me. However, that discomfort eventually gave way to new-found confidence! =) You should see the number of people who clamouredto take photographs with me. Yay! Can’t imagine that just wearing a Roman feathered helmet and metal-plated attire could create such a 180-degree change in desirability! Hahaha... Young kids, teenage girls, China ladies, Filipinos, exotic Eurasian girls, many foreigners, ... Some girls even hugged or leaned against me, felt so strange. There was this Eurasian (mixed parentage) who looked with that adoring eyes as she took photo with me. In fact, I only realised that when a watching passer-by commented on that.

Other than the more-than-hundred people whom I took photos with in that slight drizzling evening (6.30 – 10pm), I managed to give out Christian program sheets and tracts. Hopefully, some of them will come to know Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour through the huge event “Celebrate Christmas in Singapore” (CCIS) which is held every year for the last 4 – 5 years. It is a collaboration between the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the National Council of Churches (NCC). Okay, that’s about all I wanna share. Hoping to check out the Southern Ridges tomorrow since it is my off-in-lieu! ;-) A nice stretch of holiday and I sure hope I will have recovered from my lethargy by then!

I wish you all a blessed Christmas and may the peace of God be with you always. Leave you this hymn which I sang during the “Songs and Carols” service last night. I love that “haunting” feel of it.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

by Aled Jones



O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

God Bless,

Andrew