Do Not Be Afraid
How did you prepare for Christmas this month?
For us, Christmas did not begin with shopping lists or gift wrapping. It began with tired bodies, grateful hearts, and a simple joy that only God can give.
Last week, we celebrated our Christmas worship at PPC. It was joyful, busy, tiring, and so worth it. We welcomed new faces, and once again, we were reminded why we serve. Not for programs or events, but for people. For souls. For the message of salvation that God wants everyone to hear. Vandy shared a heartfelt sermon on Luke 2:9-10, message of Jesus birth (purposeful reason), trusting God even in the midst of uncertainty we can have Joy, Hope, Love, & Peace.
We laughed. We were exhausted. We rejoiced. And most of all, we praised God for the chance to share His purpose of hope.
I will share photos soon. I promise. Life has been full and busy, and I still do not have them ready. But even without photos, the moments are already deeply written in my heart.
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| Phnom Penh Church growing Family |
Our verse this season feels very timely as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2:9 to 10
The angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
These words were spoken to shepherds. Ordinary people. People who were watching their sheep at night, doing their daily work, unaware that heaven was about to interrupt their routine.
They were afraid. And God knew it.
So the first message was not a command to do something. It was a comfort.
Do not be afraid.
This message still speaks today.
Christmas looks very different for me now compared to when I was growing up in the Philippines. I have not celebrated Christmas Eve the same way since I came to Cambodia. I do miss it sometimes. I miss family gatherings and traditions. But I have also grown to love this simpler way.
There is no rush to shop. No pressure to wrap gifts. No stress over decorations.
Instead, we focus on spiritual gifts. The kind that last. The kind that shape lives. The kind that point people to Jesus.
We are intentional in sharing these gifts with Khmer youth, students, and young professionals. We want them to know that Christmas is not about what you receive in your hands, but Who you receive in your heart.
We are thankful to God for allowing us to serve Him here, and for helping us make His message of hope accessible to all.
On our way home from the Christmas worship, Vandy and I talked quietly in the car. We thanked God for what He is doing in our dorm men and women. We talked about how they are growing, changing, and becoming more mature in Christ.
In Cambodia, church culture is very different from what we knew in the Philippines. There is no tradition of gift giving during Christmas. No raffle draws. No special prizes.
We made a decision long ago to keep things simple. We want people to appreciate Christmas even without gifts. We want them to grow in faith, not expectation.
In the Philippines, pastors and missionaries often receive many gifts from church members. In Cambodia, it is often the opposite. People expect pastors and ministers to give because they think we are able.
Because of this, Vandy and I have learned to live carefully. We live by faith. We choose to live within our means. We are cautious, not because we lack trust, but because we want to model faithfulness and contentment.
That night, something unexpected happened.
We were called to the stage. We thought it was just a regular photo session for pastors and leaders. Nothing special.
But then they began a tribute.
They honored us.
They gave us gifts.
It was our first time experiencing something like this here. I could not stop my tears. I was deeply moved. They had put together their own money to bless us.
These are students. Young people. Many of them support themselves through part time work while studying.
And yet, they chose to give.
The gifts were simple, thoughtful, and so personal. They gave me a black blouse, knowing I use black business casual clothes for work. They gave Vandy a blue long sleeve shirt, his favorite color to wear when he preaches.
They know us. They see us. They care.
What touched us most was not the gifts, but the heart behind them.
We praised the Lord that night because something is truly happening in PPC. People are learning. People are growing. People are becoming mature in Christ.
This is Christmas.
This year, we also decided to keep our Christmas worship even simpler because of the ongoing border tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
We made space to pray for displaced communities and front liners. We dedicated our offering to support those directly affected.
Some of our students have families who are suffering because of this situation. One young professional, Theary, shared her fear with me. Her parents are elderly and live near the border. They refuse to leave their home. They would rather stay than move to the capital.
She told me how afraid she is. How stressed she feels when relatives tell her about aircraft flying above their homes and bombings heard nearby.
We prayed together. We cried together. We held each other.
We prayed for protection. We prayed for peace. We prayed for wisdom. We prayed for a ceasefire to be honored by both countries.
This is the world we live in.
And this is why Luke 2:9 to 10 matters so much.
Do not be afraid.
Jesus came into a world that was also uncertain, occupied, and broken.
Mary and Joseph were ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. They were preparing to become parents, just like many couples today. They had questions. They had fears. They had plans.
Then a decree forced them to travel. A long journey. A crowded town. No room. No comfort.
Jesus was born in a stable. Laid in a feeding trough.
This was not a mistake.
It was God’s plan.
Jesus was born humble so that no one would feel excluded.
Jesus was born among animals so that no one would feel unworthy.
Jesus was announced to shepherds so that ordinary people would know they are seen.
God was saying, I am with you.
And He is still saying that today.
Jesus Is Our Joy
Joy does not mean everything is easy. Joy means God is present.
The angel said the news would bring great joy for all people. Not just the rich. Not just the powerful. All people.
Joy is knowing that God stepped into our world. Into our fear. Into our pain.
In Cambodia. In Thailand. In border areas. In dorm rooms. In quiet prayers.
Jesus is our joy.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the joy You bring. Help us find joy not in things, but in Your presence. Teach us to rejoice even when life feels heavy. Amen.
Jesus Is Our Hope
Hope was born in a manger.
Hope does not ignore suffering. Hope stands in the middle of it.
For those worried about safety. For families displaced. For parents refusing to leave their homes. For children listening to sounds of fear at night.
Jesus is our hope.
Prayer
Lord, we place our hope in You. When the future feels uncertain, remind us that You are still in control. Cover our families and our nations with Your peace. Amen.
Jesus Is Our Love
God did not stay far away.
He came close.
Love took on flesh. Love cried. Love slept in a manger.
This love reaches believers and non believers alike.
Prayer
Jesus, teach us to love like You. A love that gives without expecting. A love that serves quietly. A love that sees people. Amen.
Jesus Is Our Peace
Peace does not mean the absence of conflict. Peace means God is with us in the middle of it.
Jesus is our peace when borders are tense and hearts are afraid.
Prayer
Prince of Peace, calm our fears. Protect the vulnerable. Bring wisdom to leaders. Let Your peace guard our hearts. Amen.
Jesus Is With Us
This is the heart of Christmas.
God with us.
Not only in celebrations, but in struggles.
Not only in churches, but in homes, borders, and quiet tears.
We can trust the story because God is the Author.
Just like Mary and Joseph, we may not understand everything. But we can trust the One who holds the story.
Do not be afraid.
God is with us.
Five Reflections
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God speaks comfort before He gives instruction
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Joy is found in God’s presence, not in possessions
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Simple faith pleases God
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Giving from the heart reflects Christ
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God is near even in times of fear and conflict
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You for being with us. Teach us to trust Your story. Help us live out hope, love, joy, and peace wherever You place us. Amen.
The Hourngs 💕😍🙏
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