It was a sea of colour at the Church of the Holy Family as Peranakan Catholics, dressed in traditional finery, descended on the church in eastern Singapore for the annual Peranakan Chinese New Year Eve Mass.
The two huge Christmas trees in front of the sanctuary in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd are slowly seeing star-shaped objects hanging on their branches. However, instead of these being mere ornaments, they are actually thanksgiving prayers or petitions.
Representatives of diplomatic missions in Singapore pinned a miniature flag of their countries onto a “Tree of Peace” during a choral concert, symbolising their nation’s commitment to work for peace, as well as their hopes for peace for their people.
In addition to the two comings of Christ – His birth some 2,000 years ago and His second coming at the Last Judgement – there is also a “third coming” which believers should realise. This is the fact that Jesus is present to His followers in the here and now, and one should take hope at this realisation.
It is only on hindsight that I’ve managed to see the patterns that God has been weaving in my life. Disparate incidents and experiences now make sense as I see God’s plans woven like a rich tapestry, complete with their patterns and colours.
Sometimes, when life gets me a little down, and I feel that I have long battles to fight (such as a lingering illness), I find that it’s helpful to boost my morale by focusing on what I call “little victories.”
