Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) Ethos Committee and MCKL Christian Fellowship kicked off December’s celebrations with the annual Christmas Rally, seeing 150 students and staff attend to reflect and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Gracing the event was Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, Reverend Dr T. Jeyakumar, who was accompanied by Dr Chua Ping Yong, Chief Executive Officer, and Reverend Herbert D. John, Chaplain at MCKL.
In welcoming the guests, a student group led the audience with three songs, Noël Noël, Joy to the World and O Come All Ye Faithful. Reverend Jeyakumar took to the stage to give a sermon reflecting the Gospel of Luke, “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people,’” Luke 2:10. Reverend Jeyakumar then explored the true meaning of the word ‘joy’ versus ‘happiness’, where the key differentiation is that while happiness is highly dependable on external circumstances or events, joy is a state of being. It is an inward condition of the heart, a gift from God, and a richer and deeper experience than happiness.
The word ‘joy’ is used 20 times in the Gospel of Luke, where Reverend Jeyakumar concluded that it is when one comes to know God, it is inevitable that they will acquire a sense of hope to receive peace, pardon, prosperity of the soul, and in turn, have joy. All this relates to what the angels said to the shepherds. Joy is for all to relish if you only answer His call.
