Taylorite December 2025

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…” (Isaiah 9:6)

Christmas once again invites us to pause, to breathe, and to behold the greatest gift ever given to humanity - God with us. In a world that is often noisy with opinions, divided by borders, and burdened by anxieties, Christmas cuts through the chaos with a whisper from heaven : Hope has come.

The birth of Jesus Christ did not take place in a palace, but in a manger; not announced to the powerful, but revealed to shepherds; not confined to one nation, but offered to the whole world. This reminds us that God’s grace is never limited by geography, status, or circumstance. Whether you are reading this special Christmas edition of the Taylorite magazine from India or overseas, from a bustling city or a quiet village, the message remains the same - Christ is born for you.

In Taylor Church, as I stand today,

December childhood memories are refreshed in every way!

The Bible verses we recited and the action choruses we did sing,

In my heart, their sweet memories do ring.

Faithfully our parents brought us every Sunday,

We eagerly looked forward to the Annual Sunday-School Day;

After the much-awaited Christmas Cantata,

Along with ‘Jingle Bells’ came Santa;

We waited patiently for our name to be called from the long list,

To receive showers of chocolates from Santa and a special Christmas gift!

By Eva Swain

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

— James 1:17 (NIV)

As Christmas approaches, I find myself thinking about what gratitude actually means when life doesn't follow the script we imagined. At 51, I've learned that faith isn't about pretending everything is fine—it is about holding onto something real when things fall apart…

The nativity story has always struck me as profoundly unglamorous. Mary gave birth in conditions no parent would choose. The family became refugees shortly after. The wise men brought gifts fit for a king to a child whose parents couldn't afford proper lodging. There's something important in that contrast—God's most significant intervention in human history happened in circumstances that would make most of us uncomfortable. The incarnation wasn't sanitized or safe. It was messy, risky, and real.

And yet—that's exactly what makes it such good news. This is the Jesus who meets us where we actually are, not where we think we should be. He understands our struggles not as a distant observer, but as someone who lived them. That humble stable wasn't a limitation—it was an invitation. God saying, "No place is too ordinary, no situation too difficult, for my presence to break through." What looks like vulnerability from one angle is actually profound solidarity from another. He chose to be with us in our everyday lives, and that changes everything…that’s where hope begins.

"The Lord himself goes before you and he will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

— Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

I'm learning that God's faithfulness doesn't always look like protection from hardship. Sometimes it looks like strength we didn't know we had. Company in the lonely hours. The friend who texts at exactly the right moment. The scripture that hits differently on a difficult morning. His presence isn't always dramatic—it's often quiet, persistent, and easy to miss - if we are only looking for miracles that make good stories.

This year, as we look around our world — with its headlines of hardship, loss, and division — we are reminded that gratitude is not denial, but defiance. It is the quiet strength to see goodness still shining through brokenness. It is found in the neighbour who checks in, the volunteer who gives their time, the teacher who keeps showing up, the parent who keeps believing, the congregation that keeps praying together. In all these small acts of love, Christ's presence is made real again — not in some far-off place, but here, amongst us.

So let our gratitude rise not just as words, but as lives lived in kindness and hope. For though the world may change, our Lord does not. He walks with us through every trial and triumph, whispering the same promise that has never failed: "I am with you always."

"Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." — Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

(Carolina James Bajaj)

An article I would like to dedicate to my parents Edwin & Philomena James and to my dear husband Avinash.

Jesus didn’t just die for our sins. He died to restore our conscience. Before Jesus…..and perhaps even now….performance was and is the only way the world expects and looks at. Do more. Try harder. Prove yourself. So if you wanted to be blessed you had to earn it – or at least feel like you did.

But Jesus did not live that way. He lived as a Son. And He showed us how Sons are supposed to live.

Take the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:

Most of us focus on the younger son….innumerable sermons, preaching, homilies and discourses focusing on the younger son. But what about the older son? That is the one a lot of believers unknowingly relate to. He wasn’t rebellious. He did not run away. He stayed. He served and did everything what seemed to be ‘right’.

Yet when the party was thrown for the younger brother’s return, he snapped: “Why? I have served you all these years; I have never disobeyed you; yet you have not even given me a lamb!!”

That is exactly the mindset that most believers carry – God I have served you; I have obeyed you and your commandments, I have prayed, I have tithed but where is my breakthrough? Why haven’t I seen it yet? We think we are doing everything for God…but we are really trying to earn a seat at a table to which He has already given us access to.

Here is what the Father says in verse 31:

Son, you are always with me and all that I have is yours!! Let this sink in. “You have always been with me. Everything I have has always been yours.”

So we do not need to strive for what is already ours. We just need to live from our Sonship. Jesus did not live to earn the Father’s love – He lived from it. He did not strive for favor – He moved in authority.

That is the restoration Jesus brought: not just forgiveness…but a new conscience – a Son’s mindset. That is exactly how He wants us to live too!!

So if we have been stuck in performance…trying to impress God….trying to do enough for the breakthrough…..trying to serve our way into favor…..God is not impressed or concerned at all. We should stop right there!!

We are Sons, not Servants. And all that He has is already ours.

Let us make this a mental marker today:

This is where we stop striving – and start living from Sonship. Transformation starts with one step – shall we take it today?

"What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?"

— 1 Corinthians 4:7

When we think of Christmas, our minds naturally turn to gifts. We envision the beautifully wrapped boxes nestled under the tree, the infectious excitement of children on Christmas morning, and the warmth of sharing with those we love. Above all, we celebrate the ultimate Gift—the Lord Jesus Christ—sent by the Father to a waiting world.

But this season, I want to challenge you to look beyond the gifts you buy and consider the gifts you are.

God has placed specific gifts, talents, and abilities inside every single one of us. Whether visible or quiet, these abilities are not accidents of biology; they are divine deposits.

This Christmas, the greatest offering you can present to God is not something purchased at a store, but the faithful use of your own life to glorify Him.

The Divine Deposit

If you keep a Christmas present wrapped in a box forever, it remains useless. It may be expensive and beautiful, but until it is opened and used, it fulfills no purpose. In the same way, if you keep your God-given talent hidden due to fear, laziness, or false modesty, it serves no one.

We are called to "unwrap" our potential.

If you can teach, teach with passion to reveal God’s truth.

If you can serve, serve with the strength God provides.

If you have resources, give generously to those in need.

If you lead, lead with diligence and grace.

The purpose of the gift is never to elevate the person who possesses it, but always to point back to the God who gave it.

" *Success is not an excuse for arrogance; it is a test of stewardship."*

The Trap of Pride

There is a danger inherent in success. When we finally step out in faith and use our gifts effectively—when the ministry grows, when the music moves the congregation, when the project succeeds—the temptation of pride quietly creeps in.

We begin to whisper to ourselves, "I did this. I am capable. Look at what I built."

This Christmas, let us remember a crucial truth: Success is not an excuse for arrogance; it is a test of stewardship.

If you are successful in using your gift, do not be proud of it. Why? Because you are merely the vessel. Consider the paintbrush and the artist. A paintbrush never brags about the masterpiece; it simply honors the hand of the Artist. A window does not take credit for the sunlight; it simply stays clean enough to let the light shine through.

A Call to Stewardship

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let us commit to being faithful stewards of the talents He has entrusted to us. Let us work hard and succeed, not for our own fame, but so that others might see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

This Christmas, use your gift to the fullest, but keep your heart on your knees.

To Him be the glory, for great things He has done. Merry Christmas.

Credits,

1. Carla Berg, christian pride

2. Ben Newmark,
Curriculum and explicit instruction, on intelligent assessment, leadership and history

3. Joe Stowell, Jars of Clay

4. Gemini Pro, for paraphrasing my thoughts.

Christian humor by Robin Satri :

There was this little boy who was scared of the dark. One evening his mother asked him to go out onto the back porch and bring her the broom. The little boy said, “Mama, please don’t make me go out there. It’s dark and you know I’m scared of the dark.” His mother smiled at him and said reassuringly, “There’s no need to be afraid of the dark. Jesus is out there and he’ll look after you and protect you.” The little boy seemed unsure and said, “Are you sure Jesus is out there?” The mother said, “Yes, I’m sure. Jesus is everywhere and is always there and ready to help when you’re in need.” The boy thought for a moment, then went to the back door and opened it a tiny amount. He looked out into the darkness and called out, “Jesus – if you’re out there, please pass me the broom.”