John Lewis: Lord knows it would be the first time…

So, how you start your Christmas?  Mine is a tradition and a twilight night zone. Every year around this time one of our good friends, Note, would make horrible statements in sunday school. He would tell monkeys that God has the power to throw them into hell and they should fear him. As usual, I said, “Note, look, that’s true but you don’t have to tell those kids. It’s Christmas! We should set the mood and it’s about time for the first advent chocolate.”

Then, Note said, “Cat, I know. You like that John Lewis advert.” I rolled my eyes and said, “Trust me, you would love it and I don’t think you should follow the  mentality of guardian’s editors. They are lunatic somehow but they like it too.”

And I hope you’d also like that advert. It is an ordinary day. The piano sets the mood. The boy wakes up for his first advent chocolate. The Christmas countdown starts. Few shots of waiting come afterward. Those shots are ordinary scenes of everyday life. They are just beautiful in that production. The creative team catches those moments and makes them in a way like poem.

The advert can’t be perfect without that song, Please Please Please let me get what I want, sang by a female vocalist. I think it is a wise choice because it leaves space for different interpretations. I’d love to put it into a prayer. During Christmas time, it is touching to hear a confession:

Please Please Please let me get what I want. I want to be a good man. And Lord knows it would be the first time…

Well, I hope Note would understand this: the number of jerks is more than that of good man. And jerks don’t care if they will burn in hell. So, we should save the breath and enjoy whatever good in our lives. And, believe this, the money we earn is clean and we shall be rich in every aspect of our lives.

Lily’s Birthday: Her cup overflows with love

This was Lily’s birthday and her mom asked her to open her present. Apparently, Lily was a big fan of Disney. There were Disney’s DVD, drawing pack, pajamas, snacks etc etc. At the end, her mom asked where she wanted to go with all those things and she said, “Disney.”  Without delay,  her wish was granted. Then, the little Lily just bursted into tears with great joy. I don’t think words can express her happiness. Here is the video.

Lily is only six and I am sure she can’t fake herself. She is just lovely and it is so good to see something beautiful happened in the world. Her mom said Lily was  excited. But, what I see is her cup overflowing with love. People have the tendency to pursue good and happiness. That is also why Hong Kong media is leaving behind. They have only one direction, something bad and ugly.

Good things are contagious. Here is the reaction of a little girl who watched Lily’s video. It triggered her good memories with her father and she also cried.

Oh, dear, I cried with her, too and she reminded me of God’s love. His divine love is unconditional and is so great that it makes our lives complete. Then, we function. Then, we live. With such great love, I am sure he won’t call us as slaves. He treats us as friends, daughters and sons. We are just like Lily and live with abundant love from God. What? God calls us as slaves of righteous? It is such an unlovely saying/expression from Peter. And, through out the Bible, he is one of the biblical figures I dislike.