Business Times - 04 Jan 2008
Circle Line key to higher plot ratios: JLL
Study looks at how Master Plan 2008 could change landscape, usher in new initiatives
By KALPANA RASHIWALA
(SINGAPORE) When Master Plan 2008 is unveiled sometime this year, certain areas are likely to see an increase in plot ratios. A study by Jones Lang LaSalle has tried to zero in on which areas could be allowed more intensive use of land.
Its conclusion: Look out for undeveloped state sites within walking distance of Circle Line MRT stations, particularly those that intersect with existing MRT lines. They are the top candidates for higher plot ratios.
The property consulting group specifically highlighted the areas near Paya Lebar MRT Station, Buona Vista MRT Station (which will see the Circle Line intersecting with the existing East-West Line) and HarbourFront MRT Station (Circle Line crosses North-East Line). Also, while Buona Vista is shaping into an R&D/commercial hub, the HarbourFront district's redevelopment potential is increasing because of projects in Sentosa and Keppel Bay nearby.
Another promising area is in the vicinity of the Circle Line Station at Telok Blangah. Although it does not intersect with an existing MRT line, it will benefit from a spillover from the ongoing redevelopment in Sentosa and HarbourFront.
JLL does not see major, across-the-board increases in plot ratios in MP 2008. But it argues that intensifying land use for undeveloped state plots along these stations will spread social benefits from the government's investment in the Circle Line to more people and also improve accessibility.
Raising plot ratios (ratio of maximum potential gross floor area to land area) will also address the issue of rising demand for Singapore's properties and prevent overcrowding in specific areas such as the central and CBD regions.
Although the Circle Line also touches locations near Dhoby Ghaut and Bishan MRT stations, JLL excludes them as these areas already have high plot ratios.
The study also suggests that white sites - with a range of uses and change in use mix allowed - will be more readily available islandwide instead of being confined largely to the CBD. 'It further promotes creativity in future projects,' says JLL's head of research (South-east Asia) Chua Yang Liang.
He also sees the Urban Redevelopment Authority introducing more mixed use, rather than traditional single-use zones, to 'further provide the flexibility needed to accommodate changing demand patterns as a result of shifting demographics'. MP 2008 could also be more tolerant of non-traditional types of residences. For instance, obsolete industrial buildings could be re-modelled along the lines of New York's Manhattan lofts. 'This will accommodate shifting market forces and tastes,' Dr Chua argues.
JLL also suggests that URA may realign traditional industrial estates to support demand needs of the knowledge-based economy or rezone them for other uses. 'For example, industrial areas within housing estates such as those found in Jalan Pemimpin could potentially be rezoned to residential or possibly an education hub,' it said. After all, the area is near Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College.
MP 2008 could also extend the 'work, live and play' concept beyond Marina Bay into the suburbs as Singapore cannot live by its business image alone, JLL predicts. 'We can expect to see more areas designed for cultural developments, for example, the civic, cultural and retail complex in Buona Vista, and new conservation areas that serve to retain the fabric of the collective memory,' Dr Chua said.
JLL also expects to see many more recreational zones across Singapore. 'The likes of the recent Punggol announcement will be more common,' the study said.
On the back of Sentosa Cove's success, JLL expects other islets around Singapore like Southern Islands and Pulau Ubin to be put for waterfront residential use.
In the existing CBD, JLL suggests that Shenton Way will see a further shift towards a mixed-use (including residential) district, once the current office supply crunch eases. In May last year, URA announced a temporary ban on conversion of office use in the central area, including the CBD, to other uses until end-2009.
Last year, the government identified Jurong East and Paya Lebar for development into business hubs. Dr Chua says land around Paya Lebar MRT Station will be intensified in line with government plans to transform it into a sub-regional centre and that the location will be ideal for cost-conscious office tenants.
However, Dr Chua suggests that the area around Jurong East MRT Station is more suited for research and development because of its proximity to universities, the Science Park and one-north rather than as an alternative backoffice hub along the lines of Tampines.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan last year also ruled out massive, across-the-board islandwide increases in plot ratios for MP 2008 to cope with a higher population target of 6.5 million. The Master Plan, a detailed land use plan that guides Singapore's medium-term physical development, is reviewed every five years.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Reuters: Construction firms up on casino hopes
Business Times - 03 Jan 2008
Construction firms up on casino hopes
SINGAPORE - Shares of construction firms soared as expectations that Koh Brothers Group and Lian Beng Group would win a lucrative contract lifted sentiment for the whole sector, bucking the downward trend of the market.
A consortium of Koh Brothers and Lian Beng Group are running for contract worth around $500 million (US$348 million) for works related to one of the two casinos under construction in the city-state.
'The market expects that they will win the bid, it's quite a firm deal already,' said a local dealer.
Lian Beng rose as much as 5.1 per cent to an eight and a half year high of $0.82 and was the third most actively traded counter on the Singapore bourse with 18.8 million shares traded.
Koh Brothers jumped 6.5 per cent to $0.49 with 8.5 million shares changing hands.
Other construction plays such as Yongnam Holdings rose as much as 3.3 per cent to $0.31 with seven million shares traded. CSC Holdings was up 1.5 per cent to $0.33 with six million traded.
Economic data released on Wednesday showed Singapore's construction sector growing a healthy 24.4 per cent in the fourth-quarter. -- REUTERS
Construction firms up on casino hopes
SINGAPORE - Shares of construction firms soared as expectations that Koh Brothers Group and Lian Beng Group would win a lucrative contract lifted sentiment for the whole sector, bucking the downward trend of the market.
A consortium of Koh Brothers and Lian Beng Group are running for contract worth around $500 million (US$348 million) for works related to one of the two casinos under construction in the city-state.
'The market expects that they will win the bid, it's quite a firm deal already,' said a local dealer.
Lian Beng rose as much as 5.1 per cent to an eight and a half year high of $0.82 and was the third most actively traded counter on the Singapore bourse with 18.8 million shares traded.
Koh Brothers jumped 6.5 per cent to $0.49 with 8.5 million shares changing hands.
Other construction plays such as Yongnam Holdings rose as much as 3.3 per cent to $0.31 with seven million shares traded. CSC Holdings was up 1.5 per cent to $0.33 with six million traded.
Economic data released on Wednesday showed Singapore's construction sector growing a healthy 24.4 per cent in the fourth-quarter. -- REUTERS
BT: Ho Chi Minh City frets over property investment
Business Times - 03 Jan 2008
Ho Chi Minh City frets over property investment
(HO CHI MINH CITY) Around 85 per cent of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ho Chi Minh City last year has flowed into the property sector, worrying experts and authorities, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported yesterday.
HCM City had attracted US$2.5 billion in the first 11 months, the highest in the country along with Hanoi and Dong Nai province, Thai Van Re, head of the city's Department of Planning and Investment, said. Over US$2.1 billion had been invested in real estate, mainly apartment and office blocks, he added.
Do Thi Loan, general secretary of the HCM City Real Estate Association, said her association had been contacted by many companies from the US, Australia, Canada, Italy, Singapore, China and Japan about investing in the city's property market as well as elsewhere in Vietnam. They said other Asian markets were nearly saturated while Vietnam was in the first stage of urbanisation, she said.
But the deputy head of the Economics Institute, Nguyen Thieng Duc, warned that haphazard construction would affect the city's visual appeal and environment. He added the administration should improve infrastructure to prevent traffic jams and floods, and make it appealing for foreigners to invest in other sectors\. \-- Bernama
Ho Chi Minh City frets over property investment
(HO CHI MINH CITY) Around 85 per cent of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ho Chi Minh City last year has flowed into the property sector, worrying experts and authorities, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported yesterday.
HCM City had attracted US$2.5 billion in the first 11 months, the highest in the country along with Hanoi and Dong Nai province, Thai Van Re, head of the city's Department of Planning and Investment, said. Over US$2.1 billion had been invested in real estate, mainly apartment and office blocks, he added.
Do Thi Loan, general secretary of the HCM City Real Estate Association, said her association had been contacted by many companies from the US, Australia, Canada, Italy, Singapore, China and Japan about investing in the city's property market as well as elsewhere in Vietnam. They said other Asian markets were nearly saturated while Vietnam was in the first stage of urbanisation, she said.
But the deputy head of the Economics Institute, Nguyen Thieng Duc, warned that haphazard construction would affect the city's visual appeal and environment. He added the administration should improve infrastructure to prevent traffic jams and floods, and make it appealing for foreigners to invest in other sectors\. \-- Bernama
BT: Land price hits a high at Johor's Iskandar region
Business Times - 03 Jan 2008
Land price hits a high at Johor's Iskandar region
Analysts see positive effect of rise on companies' shares
By S JAYASANKARAN IN KUALA LUMPUR
LAND prices in the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) continue to spurt, with a transaction done last week at RM50 (S$21.7) per square foot (psf), compared with RM43 psf four months ago and several times the price two years ago.
It was announced last Friday that a consortium between Dubai's Limitless Holdings (60 per cent) and Malaysia's state-owned UEM World (40 per cent) would embark on a high-end, waterfront development on 45ha of land at Nusajaya that it had bought for RM242 million, or RM50 psf.
Nusajaya, almost in the middle of the IDR, is where a new state administrative capital is being constructed.
The IDR - a special economic zone three times the size of Singapore - has been made a development priority by the administration of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. Special incentives, including tax holidays, liberal investment rules and the absence of affirmative action policies that favour ethnic Malays, are aimed at drawing in foreign investment.
The Dubai-UEM World transaction is the third sizeable land purchase in the IDR in as many months.
Recent land purchases totalling RM5.8 billion epitomise a mindset shift by the policy-makers in Kulala Lumpur, who are trying to attract new foreign investment by opening up Malaysia's property markets in selected areas like the IDR.
So far, the new investors have all been well-heeled Middle Easterners with a development track record in other countries.
This influx of predominantly Islamic investment into predominantly Muslim Malaysia has obviated criticism from ethnic Malays disgruntled by Mr Abdullah's suspension of affirmative action policies in the IDR.
The continuing inflow of foreign investment into the area could also jump-start the relatively slow-moving project as it will not only diminish execution risk but, in the nature of a virtuous cycle, also attract other investors beguiled by rising land prices.
The authorities certainly seem to think so. Last week, New Straits Times quoted Johor Chief Minister Ghani Othman as saying at least RM7 billion of projects in the IDR will begin by April this year. They include highways, river clean-ups, residential and office complexes and leisure facilities.
Analysts are excited by the effect of rising land prices in Johor on the share prices of companies with large land banks there. The biggest beneficiary is reckoned to be UEM World, a listed entity that still owns 4,137ha at Nusajaya.
'Its current share price (around RM3.90) imputes an average valuation (of its land bank) of RM12.50 a square foot despite the fact that bungalow and industrial lots are already transacting above RM20 a square foot,' a recent UOB KayHian report estimated. 'At RM50 a square foot, UEM World's real net asset value would jump to RM12.46 a share.'
Land price hits a high at Johor's Iskandar region
Analysts see positive effect of rise on companies' shares
By S JAYASANKARAN IN KUALA LUMPUR
LAND prices in the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) continue to spurt, with a transaction done last week at RM50 (S$21.7) per square foot (psf), compared with RM43 psf four months ago and several times the price two years ago.
It was announced last Friday that a consortium between Dubai's Limitless Holdings (60 per cent) and Malaysia's state-owned UEM World (40 per cent) would embark on a high-end, waterfront development on 45ha of land at Nusajaya that it had bought for RM242 million, or RM50 psf.
Nusajaya, almost in the middle of the IDR, is where a new state administrative capital is being constructed.
The IDR - a special economic zone three times the size of Singapore - has been made a development priority by the administration of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. Special incentives, including tax holidays, liberal investment rules and the absence of affirmative action policies that favour ethnic Malays, are aimed at drawing in foreign investment.
The Dubai-UEM World transaction is the third sizeable land purchase in the IDR in as many months.
Recent land purchases totalling RM5.8 billion epitomise a mindset shift by the policy-makers in Kulala Lumpur, who are trying to attract new foreign investment by opening up Malaysia's property markets in selected areas like the IDR.
So far, the new investors have all been well-heeled Middle Easterners with a development track record in other countries.
This influx of predominantly Islamic investment into predominantly Muslim Malaysia has obviated criticism from ethnic Malays disgruntled by Mr Abdullah's suspension of affirmative action policies in the IDR.
The continuing inflow of foreign investment into the area could also jump-start the relatively slow-moving project as it will not only diminish execution risk but, in the nature of a virtuous cycle, also attract other investors beguiled by rising land prices.
The authorities certainly seem to think so. Last week, New Straits Times quoted Johor Chief Minister Ghani Othman as saying at least RM7 billion of projects in the IDR will begin by April this year. They include highways, river clean-ups, residential and office complexes and leisure facilities.
Analysts are excited by the effect of rising land prices in Johor on the share prices of companies with large land banks there. The biggest beneficiary is reckoned to be UEM World, a listed entity that still owns 4,137ha at Nusajaya.
'Its current share price (around RM3.90) imputes an average valuation (of its land bank) of RM12.50 a square foot despite the fact that bungalow and industrial lots are already transacting above RM20 a square foot,' a recent UOB KayHian report estimated. 'At RM50 a square foot, UEM World's real net asset value would jump to RM12.46 a share.'
BT: Chip Eng Seng signs Vietnam deals
Business Times - 03 Jan 2008
Chip Eng Seng signs Vietnam deals
Property group in joint deals to develop two residential projects
By CHEW XIANG
CONSTRUCTION and property group Chip Eng Seng has signed separate agreements to develop two residential projects in Vietnam.
The first is a 20 per cent stake in a business co-operation deal with two local partners there to build a 782-unit condominium in Ho Chi Minh City's District 8. The total development cost is estimated at $90 million, Chip Eng Seng said in a statement.
The local partners are Vinh Tien Joint Stock Company and Hoa Binh House Joint Stock Company, which will hold 41 per cent and 39 per cent of the project respectively.
The second deal is for a 25 per cent stake in Viet Investment Link Joint Stock Company (VL).
Chip Eng Seng and VL are talking with another local partner to develop a condominium on a 7,000-square-metre site in Ho Chi Minh City's District 2.
Related link:
Click here for Chip Eng Seng's press release
Chip Eng Seng said that its stake in VL will rise to 49 per cent this year. The total development cost is estimated at $90 million.
Both projects should be launched in the second half of the year, and Chip Eng Seng said that it will also provide project management and consultancy services for both.
The investments, each held through a wholly owned subsidiary, is expected to contribute positively to its net tangible assets and earnings per share for its current financial year.
The deals are its first in the country since it took a 5 per cent stake in a listed Vietnamese construction company, Hoa Binh Construction & Real Estate Corporation, last July. The tie-up has brought 'good equity returns and excellent business opportunities', Chip Eng Seng said.
The company is setting up an office in Ho Chi Minh and is considering investments in hotels and commercial and retail properties in the country.
Chief executive officer Raymond Chia said in a statement: 'The Vietnam market is roaring with potential. Our investment in this market is taken with a long-term view. I see Chip Eng Seng becoming one of the key foreign investors in Vietnam.'
The company plans to expand extensively through the region, Mr Chia said. It is also looking for opportunities in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and China.
'In three years, I am looking to have 30 per cent of our revenue and profit coming from the overseas market,' Mr Chia added.
Chip Eng Seng signs Vietnam deals
Property group in joint deals to develop two residential projects
By CHEW XIANG
CONSTRUCTION and property group Chip Eng Seng has signed separate agreements to develop two residential projects in Vietnam.
The first is a 20 per cent stake in a business co-operation deal with two local partners there to build a 782-unit condominium in Ho Chi Minh City's District 8. The total development cost is estimated at $90 million, Chip Eng Seng said in a statement.
The local partners are Vinh Tien Joint Stock Company and Hoa Binh House Joint Stock Company, which will hold 41 per cent and 39 per cent of the project respectively.
The second deal is for a 25 per cent stake in Viet Investment Link Joint Stock Company (VL).
Chip Eng Seng and VL are talking with another local partner to develop a condominium on a 7,000-square-metre site in Ho Chi Minh City's District 2.
Related link:
Click here for Chip Eng Seng's press release
Chip Eng Seng said that its stake in VL will rise to 49 per cent this year. The total development cost is estimated at $90 million.
Both projects should be launched in the second half of the year, and Chip Eng Seng said that it will also provide project management and consultancy services for both.
The investments, each held through a wholly owned subsidiary, is expected to contribute positively to its net tangible assets and earnings per share for its current financial year.
The deals are its first in the country since it took a 5 per cent stake in a listed Vietnamese construction company, Hoa Binh Construction & Real Estate Corporation, last July. The tie-up has brought 'good equity returns and excellent business opportunities', Chip Eng Seng said.
The company is setting up an office in Ho Chi Minh and is considering investments in hotels and commercial and retail properties in the country.
Chief executive officer Raymond Chia said in a statement: 'The Vietnam market is roaring with potential. Our investment in this market is taken with a long-term view. I see Chip Eng Seng becoming one of the key foreign investors in Vietnam.'
The company plans to expand extensively through the region, Mr Chia said. It is also looking for opportunities in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and China.
'In three years, I am looking to have 30 per cent of our revenue and profit coming from the overseas market,' Mr Chia added.
BT: M'sian building sector set for 5.8% growth
Business Times - 03 Jan 2008
M'sian building sector set for 5.8% growth
Driving expansion are oil pipeline, rail, water, undersea power cable projects
(KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia's construction sector is expected to grow for the second consecutive year by 5.8 per cent compared with 4.7 per cent last year, fuelled by stimulus measures outlined to boost domestic activities, says research company Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd.
In its economic and market outlook report released here yesterday, the research house said the positive outlook will help boost investors' confidence by yielding the desired multiplier effect that will enable the domestic economy to withstand any adverse shocks arising from the external front.
The country's construction sector was in recession for three consecutive years from 2004.
Inter-Pacific said some of the high impact projects expected to contribute to the growth will be the Trans-Peninsular oil pipeline (RM25 billion or S$10.8 billion), double tracking rail projects (RM19 billion), Pahang-Selangor water transfer (RM9 billion) and the Bakun undersea cable and overhead transmission (RM9 billion) projects.
Following the slight decline in government development expenditure by 2.1 per cent to RM40 billion this year from RM40.9 billion last year, private finance initiative projects are also expected to play a more meaningful role this year.
However, Inter-Pacific said in its report that there was a disturbing trend in the utilisation of development expenditure. 'A total of RM200 billion has been allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and only 29.1 per cent or RM58.2 billion has been utilised so far.
'For instance, the actual projection for development expenditure in 2007 is RM40.9 billion but only RM22.3 billion were utilised until third quarter.
'On an annualised basis, our estimates showed gross development expenditure would reach RM30 billion in 2007, a shortfall of RM10.9 billion. This trend is somewhat disturbing.'
Citing the importance of the current development of economic zones in the country where huge funds have been allocated, it said: 'If it persists, it raises our scepticism as to whether there will be another construction boom. The last time we experienced a boom was between 1994 and 1996 driven by buildings and transport-led projects. This time around, we expect growth to come from rail, water, oil and gas and regional developments. Hence, we hope for greater development expenditure in 2008.'
Meanwhile, the building materials industry is also expected to benefit from the improving construction activities, with cement and steel being the two sub-sectors to see significant gains.
'Whilst taking advantage of improving domestic construction/infrastructure activities, we expect pick up in property activities, strong demand from Singapore for their resorts built and a healthy export market (Middle East construction boom) to further lend support for higher demand of cement. We expect cement demand to grow by about 6 per cent per annum over 2008 and 2009,' Inter-Pacific said.
It said the stable cement price averaging RM215 per tonne coupled with better utilisation rate, should help to partly offset the rising operation costs from electricity, paper bags, fuel and raw materials.
Steel, meanwhile, is envisaged to exhibit better performance supported by domestic construction activities, higher selling prices, and stronger export market.
Steel prices are expected to remain firm in the near term, mainly supported by strong demand from the single largest consumer namely China, said Inter-Pacific.
The International Iron and Steel Institute has projected the global demand for steel this year to grow by 6.1 per cent, while demand from China, which consumes 35 per cent of the total world steel, is set to expand by an additional 10 per cent this year. - Bernama
M'sian building sector set for 5.8% growth
Driving expansion are oil pipeline, rail, water, undersea power cable projects
(KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia's construction sector is expected to grow for the second consecutive year by 5.8 per cent compared with 4.7 per cent last year, fuelled by stimulus measures outlined to boost domestic activities, says research company Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd.
In its economic and market outlook report released here yesterday, the research house said the positive outlook will help boost investors' confidence by yielding the desired multiplier effect that will enable the domestic economy to withstand any adverse shocks arising from the external front.
The country's construction sector was in recession for three consecutive years from 2004.
Inter-Pacific said some of the high impact projects expected to contribute to the growth will be the Trans-Peninsular oil pipeline (RM25 billion or S$10.8 billion), double tracking rail projects (RM19 billion), Pahang-Selangor water transfer (RM9 billion) and the Bakun undersea cable and overhead transmission (RM9 billion) projects.
Following the slight decline in government development expenditure by 2.1 per cent to RM40 billion this year from RM40.9 billion last year, private finance initiative projects are also expected to play a more meaningful role this year.
However, Inter-Pacific said in its report that there was a disturbing trend in the utilisation of development expenditure. 'A total of RM200 billion has been allocated under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and only 29.1 per cent or RM58.2 billion has been utilised so far.
'For instance, the actual projection for development expenditure in 2007 is RM40.9 billion but only RM22.3 billion were utilised until third quarter.
'On an annualised basis, our estimates showed gross development expenditure would reach RM30 billion in 2007, a shortfall of RM10.9 billion. This trend is somewhat disturbing.'
Citing the importance of the current development of economic zones in the country where huge funds have been allocated, it said: 'If it persists, it raises our scepticism as to whether there will be another construction boom. The last time we experienced a boom was between 1994 and 1996 driven by buildings and transport-led projects. This time around, we expect growth to come from rail, water, oil and gas and regional developments. Hence, we hope for greater development expenditure in 2008.'
Meanwhile, the building materials industry is also expected to benefit from the improving construction activities, with cement and steel being the two sub-sectors to see significant gains.
'Whilst taking advantage of improving domestic construction/infrastructure activities, we expect pick up in property activities, strong demand from Singapore for their resorts built and a healthy export market (Middle East construction boom) to further lend support for higher demand of cement. We expect cement demand to grow by about 6 per cent per annum over 2008 and 2009,' Inter-Pacific said.
It said the stable cement price averaging RM215 per tonne coupled with better utilisation rate, should help to partly offset the rising operation costs from electricity, paper bags, fuel and raw materials.
Steel, meanwhile, is envisaged to exhibit better performance supported by domestic construction activities, higher selling prices, and stronger export market.
Steel prices are expected to remain firm in the near term, mainly supported by strong demand from the single largest consumer namely China, said Inter-Pacific.
The International Iron and Steel Institute has projected the global demand for steel this year to grow by 6.1 per cent, while demand from China, which consumes 35 per cent of the total world steel, is set to expand by an additional 10 per cent this year. - Bernama
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
The Top 10 Reasons Why Many Christian Don't Celebrate Christmas
The Top 10 Reasons Why Many Christian Don't Celebrate Christmas
by Scott Ashley
Source: http://www.gnmagazine.org/index.htm
1. Christmas is driven by commercialism.
It's not that difficult to recognize what really drives the holiday in our age. Cal Thomas, an American syndicated columnist who often writes from a Christian perspective, acknowledged uncomfortable truths about Christmas in a December 2003 column.
"I'm not sure it's worth keeping Christmas anymore," he began, lamenting that the holiday has become a "road show of reindeer, winter scenes, elves and the God substitute, Santa Claus, who serves as a front for merchants seeking to play on the guilt some parents bear for ignoring their kids the rest of the year."
He asks a great question: "Why participate any longer in this charade where the focal point of worship has shifted from a babe in a manger to a babe in the Victoria 's Secret window? . . . No room in the inn has been replaced by no room in the mall parking lot."
But perhaps his most insightful statement is this: "It's instructive how just one season away from lusting after material things can break the habit. It's something like liberation from an addiction or lifestyle choice. Being away from it can cause one to realize the behavior is neither missed nor needed for fulfillment and enjoyment."
Having said good-bye to the Christmas habit several decades ago, I couldn't have said it better myself!
2. Christmas is nowhere mentioned in the Bible.
This is rather obvious, but most people never give it a second thought. The books of the New Testament cover 30+ years of Jesus Christ's life, then another 30+ years of the early Church following His death and resurrection, but nowhere do we find any hint of a Christmas celebration or anything remotely like it.
Yes, the Bible does give us quite a few details of His birth--the angelic appearance to Mary and then Joseph, the conditions surrounding His birth in a stable in Bethlehem, the heavenly choir's performance for the shepherds in the fields outside the town. But nowhere in the Bible is there any record of anyone observing Christmas or any hint that God the Father or Jesus Christ expects us to do so.
3. Jesus wasn't born on or near Dec. 25.
Surprising but true! Remember those shepherds who were "living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night"? (Luke 2:. December weather around Bethlehem is often miserably cold, wet and rainy. No shepherd in his right mind would have kept his flocks outside at night at that time of year!
The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary says this passage argues "against the birth [of Christ] occurring on Dec. 25 since the weather would not have permitted" shepherds to be out in the fields with their flocks then.
And Celebrations: The Complete Book of American Holidays tells us that Luke's account of Christ's birth "suggests that Jesus may have been born in summer or early fall. Since December is cold and rainy in Judea, it is likely the shepherds would have sought shelter for their flocks at night" (p. 309) rather than keeping them outdoors.
Also, Luke 2:1-4 tells us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem because his parents came to that town to register in a Roman census. The Romans were well known as highly efficient administrators. It would have made no sense to have conducted a census in the dead of winter, when temperatures often dropped below freezing and traveling was difficult due to poor road conditions. Taking a census under such conditions would have been self-defeating!
4. The Christmas holiday is largely a recycled pagan celebration.
Again, surprising but true! Read it for yourself in just about any encyclopedia.
Consider the customs associated with Christmas. What do decorated evergreen trees, holly, mistletoe, yule logs, a jolly plump man in a fur-lined red suit, sleighs and flying reindeer have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ?
None of these things have anything to do with Him, but they have a lot to do with ancient pagan festivals. (Read the eye-opening details in our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep?)
And what about the date of Dec. 25? How did it come to be assigned as the supposed date of Jesus Christ's birth? Historians Gerard and Patricia Del Re explain:
"The tradition of celebrating December 25 as Christ's birthday came to the Romans from Persia. Mithra, the Persian god of light and sacred contracts, was born out of a rock on December 25. Rome was famous for its flirtations with strange gods and cults, and in the third century the unchristian emperor Aurelian established the festival of Dies Invicti Solis, the Day of the Invincible Sun, on December 25.
"Mithra was an embodiment of the sun, so this period of its rebirth was a major day in Mithraism, which had become Rome's latest official religion . . . It is believed that the emperor Constantine adhered to Mithraism up to the time of his conversion to Christianity. He was probably instrumental in seeing that the major feast of his old religion was carried over to his new faith" (The Christmas Almanac, 1979, p. 17).
It's difficult to determine the first time anyone celebrated Dec. 25 as Christmas, but historians generally agree that it was sometime during the fourth century--some 300 years after Christ's death. And then a contrived date was chosen because it was already a popular pagan holiday celebrating the birth of the sun god!
Similarly, virtually all of the customs associated with Christmas are recycled from ancient pagan festivals honoring other gods.
5. God condemns using pagan customs to worship Him.
Since Christmas is supposedly a day to worship and celebrate God the Father and Jesus Christ, wouldn't it be a good idea to look into the Bible to see what it says about how we should worship God?
The answer is quite clear. God gives specific instruction about using pagan practices to worship Him--the exact thing Christmas does! Notice what He says in Deuteronomy 12:30-32: ". . . Do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way . . . Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it" (emphasis added throughout).
And lest some think this is simply an Old Testament command that no longer applies, the apostle Paul makes the same point in 2 Corinthians 6, where he addresses whether unbiblical religious customs and practices have any place in the worship of God's people:
"What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial [the devil and/or demons]? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God . . .
"Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.' 'I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.' Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1).
Rather than relabeling pagan customs as Christian, or allowing members of the Church to continue their old pagan practices, the apostle Paul told them in no uncertain terms to leave behind all these forms of worship and worship God in true holiness as He commands. Jesus likewise says His true followers "must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24)--not revel in recycled pagan customs and symbolism.
6. Christmas is worshipping God in vain.
Since Christmas is a jumble of ancient pagan customs invented by men, and a holiday found nowhere in the Bible, does God honor or accept such worship?
Jesus provides the answer in His stern rebuke of the religious teachers of His day, men who had substituted human traditions and teachings for God's divine truths and commands: "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites . . . 'in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' . . . All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition" (Mark 7:6-9).
In the 17th century Christmas was actually outlawed in England and some parts of the American colonies because of its unbiblical and pagan origins. They knew something most people today have forgotten or have never known!
7. You can't put Christ back into something He was never in. Some people admit the many problems with Christmas. But rather than face up to those problems, some assert that we should "put Christ back in Christmas."
However, it's impossible to "put Christ back in Christmas" since He never was in Christmas in the first place! He never so much as heard the word "Christmas" during His lifetime on earth, nor did His apostles after Him. You can search the Bible cover to cover but you won't find the words "Christmas," "Christmas tree," "mistletoe," "holly," "Santa Claus" or "flying reindeer."
Putting Christ back in Christmas may sound like a nice sentiment, but it's really only a misguided effort to try to justify a long-standing human tradition rather than what the Bible tells us we should do.
8. The Bible nowhere tells us to observe a holiday celebrating Jesus Christ's birth--but it clearly does tell us to commemorate His death.
As noted earlier, the Bible nowhere mentions Christmas or tells us to celebrate Christ's birth.
This is not to say that the Bible doesn't tell us to commemorate a highly significant event in Jesus Christ's life on earth. It does--but that event is His death, not His birth.
Notice what the apostle Paul, conveying the instructions of Jesus Himself, tells Christians: "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'
"In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes . . . Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:23-2.
And yes, many believers do what they consider a form of this today in taking communion or "the Lord's supper." They fail to realize, however, the full significance of these acts, or that what Paul is actually describing here is the Passover -- which is what Jesus Himself called this observance (Matthew 26:18-19; Mark 14:14-16; Luke 22:8-13, 15).
And many have no idea of the real date of Christ's death and the annual Passover observance, but that's an issue for another time. (Hint: It isn't "Good Friday" prior to Easter as so many mistakenly believe. See our booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? for details.) The point is: Jesus clearly expects His true followers to commemorate His death--not His birth--by observing the Passover.
9. Christmas obscures God's plan for mankind.
Passover, mentioned above, has enormous significance in God's plan for humanity. The Old Testament Passover, described in Exodus 12, was symbolic of Jesus Christ's future role and sacrifice. As the blood of the slain Passover lambs on the Israelites' houses spared them while the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain, so does Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on our behalf spare us from death-- eternal death.
Paul alluded to this great truth when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:7 that "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." Similarly John the Baptist, speaking under divine inspiration, said of Jesus, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).
Peter wrote that we are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19)--a clear reference to the Passover lambs (Exodus 12:5).
A central key to God's plan for humanity is Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on our behalf. He is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:--meaning His death for our sins was planned before the first human beings were ever created (1 Peter 1:18-20). Only through His death to pay the penalty for our sins can human beings receive God's gift of eternal life (John 3:14-17; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Christmas, in contrast, teaches us none of this. Regrettably, because it is a hodgepodge of unbiblical customs and beliefs thrown together with a few elements of biblical truth, it only obscures the incredible purpose of Jesus Christ's coming--as well as why He must return to earth a second time! (For more details, request our free booklets Jesus Christ: The Real Story and The Gospel of the Kingdom.)
10. I'd rather celebrate the Holy Days Jesus Christ and the apostles observed.
God in His Word sets out many choices for us. Will we do things His way or our own? Will we worship Him as He tells us to, or expect Him to honor whatever religious practices we choose regardless of what His Word says?
It's always good to ask the question, What would Jesus do? The answer, from the Scriptures, is quite clear as to what Jesus did. Jesus didn't allow His followers the option of adopting pagan practices in their worship. He and the apostles plainly kept God's Holy Days and festivals that we find recorded in Leviticus 23.
As noted above, they kept the Passover (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Scripture shows they also observed the Days of Unleavened Bread (Acts 20:6; 1 Corinthians 5:7-. The New Testament Church itself was founded on the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), another biblical festival they clearly observed (Acts 20:16). They likewise kept the Day of Atonement (called "the Fast" in Acts 27:9) and the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2, 10).
Christmas, meanwhile, is totally missing from the biblical record.
Most people don't know that the Bible includes a whole list of festivals that God commanded, that Jesus Himself observed and that the apostles and early Church were still keeping decades after Christ's death and resurrection. And unlike Christmas, these reveal a great deal about Jesus Christ's role and mission.
Each one teaches us a vital lesson in what Jesus has done, is doing and will yet do in carrying out God's great plan for humankind. The differences between these and the tired old paganism and crass commercialism of Christmas is truly like the difference between day and night. Why not look into them for yourself?
I've given you my top 10 reasons for not celebrating Christmas. What do you suppose God thinks of your reasons for continuing to observe it? GN
by Scott Ashley
Source: http://www.gnmagazine.org/index.htm
1. Christmas is driven by commercialism.
It's not that difficult to recognize what really drives the holiday in our age. Cal Thomas, an American syndicated columnist who often writes from a Christian perspective, acknowledged uncomfortable truths about Christmas in a December 2003 column.
"I'm not sure it's worth keeping Christmas anymore," he began, lamenting that the holiday has become a "road show of reindeer, winter scenes, elves and the God substitute, Santa Claus, who serves as a front for merchants seeking to play on the guilt some parents bear for ignoring their kids the rest of the year."
He asks a great question: "Why participate any longer in this charade where the focal point of worship has shifted from a babe in a manger to a babe in the Victoria 's Secret window? . . . No room in the inn has been replaced by no room in the mall parking lot."
But perhaps his most insightful statement is this: "It's instructive how just one season away from lusting after material things can break the habit. It's something like liberation from an addiction or lifestyle choice. Being away from it can cause one to realize the behavior is neither missed nor needed for fulfillment and enjoyment."
Having said good-bye to the Christmas habit several decades ago, I couldn't have said it better myself!
2. Christmas is nowhere mentioned in the Bible.
This is rather obvious, but most people never give it a second thought. The books of the New Testament cover 30+ years of Jesus Christ's life, then another 30+ years of the early Church following His death and resurrection, but nowhere do we find any hint of a Christmas celebration or anything remotely like it.
Yes, the Bible does give us quite a few details of His birth--the angelic appearance to Mary and then Joseph, the conditions surrounding His birth in a stable in Bethlehem, the heavenly choir's performance for the shepherds in the fields outside the town. But nowhere in the Bible is there any record of anyone observing Christmas or any hint that God the Father or Jesus Christ expects us to do so.
3. Jesus wasn't born on or near Dec. 25.
Surprising but true! Remember those shepherds who were "living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night"? (Luke 2:. December weather around Bethlehem is often miserably cold, wet and rainy. No shepherd in his right mind would have kept his flocks outside at night at that time of year!
The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary says this passage argues "against the birth [of Christ] occurring on Dec. 25 since the weather would not have permitted" shepherds to be out in the fields with their flocks then.
And Celebrations: The Complete Book of American Holidays tells us that Luke's account of Christ's birth "suggests that Jesus may have been born in summer or early fall. Since December is cold and rainy in Judea, it is likely the shepherds would have sought shelter for their flocks at night" (p. 309) rather than keeping them outdoors.
Also, Luke 2:1-4 tells us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem because his parents came to that town to register in a Roman census. The Romans were well known as highly efficient administrators. It would have made no sense to have conducted a census in the dead of winter, when temperatures often dropped below freezing and traveling was difficult due to poor road conditions. Taking a census under such conditions would have been self-defeating!
4. The Christmas holiday is largely a recycled pagan celebration.
Again, surprising but true! Read it for yourself in just about any encyclopedia.
Consider the customs associated with Christmas. What do decorated evergreen trees, holly, mistletoe, yule logs, a jolly plump man in a fur-lined red suit, sleighs and flying reindeer have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ?
None of these things have anything to do with Him, but they have a lot to do with ancient pagan festivals. (Read the eye-opening details in our free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep?)
And what about the date of Dec. 25? How did it come to be assigned as the supposed date of Jesus Christ's birth? Historians Gerard and Patricia Del Re explain:
"The tradition of celebrating December 25 as Christ's birthday came to the Romans from Persia. Mithra, the Persian god of light and sacred contracts, was born out of a rock on December 25. Rome was famous for its flirtations with strange gods and cults, and in the third century the unchristian emperor Aurelian established the festival of Dies Invicti Solis, the Day of the Invincible Sun, on December 25.
"Mithra was an embodiment of the sun, so this period of its rebirth was a major day in Mithraism, which had become Rome's latest official religion . . . It is believed that the emperor Constantine adhered to Mithraism up to the time of his conversion to Christianity. He was probably instrumental in seeing that the major feast of his old religion was carried over to his new faith" (The Christmas Almanac, 1979, p. 17).
It's difficult to determine the first time anyone celebrated Dec. 25 as Christmas, but historians generally agree that it was sometime during the fourth century--some 300 years after Christ's death. And then a contrived date was chosen because it was already a popular pagan holiday celebrating the birth of the sun god!
Similarly, virtually all of the customs associated with Christmas are recycled from ancient pagan festivals honoring other gods.
5. God condemns using pagan customs to worship Him.
Since Christmas is supposedly a day to worship and celebrate God the Father and Jesus Christ, wouldn't it be a good idea to look into the Bible to see what it says about how we should worship God?
The answer is quite clear. God gives specific instruction about using pagan practices to worship Him--the exact thing Christmas does! Notice what He says in Deuteronomy 12:30-32: ". . . Do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way . . . Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it" (emphasis added throughout).
And lest some think this is simply an Old Testament command that no longer applies, the apostle Paul makes the same point in 2 Corinthians 6, where he addresses whether unbiblical religious customs and practices have any place in the worship of God's people:
"What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial [the devil and/or demons]? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God . . .
"Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.' 'I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.' Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1).
Rather than relabeling pagan customs as Christian, or allowing members of the Church to continue their old pagan practices, the apostle Paul told them in no uncertain terms to leave behind all these forms of worship and worship God in true holiness as He commands. Jesus likewise says His true followers "must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24)--not revel in recycled pagan customs and symbolism.
6. Christmas is worshipping God in vain.
Since Christmas is a jumble of ancient pagan customs invented by men, and a holiday found nowhere in the Bible, does God honor or accept such worship?
Jesus provides the answer in His stern rebuke of the religious teachers of His day, men who had substituted human traditions and teachings for God's divine truths and commands: "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites . . . 'in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' . . . All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition" (Mark 7:6-9).
In the 17th century Christmas was actually outlawed in England and some parts of the American colonies because of its unbiblical and pagan origins. They knew something most people today have forgotten or have never known!
7. You can't put Christ back into something He was never in. Some people admit the many problems with Christmas. But rather than face up to those problems, some assert that we should "put Christ back in Christmas."
However, it's impossible to "put Christ back in Christmas" since He never was in Christmas in the first place! He never so much as heard the word "Christmas" during His lifetime on earth, nor did His apostles after Him. You can search the Bible cover to cover but you won't find the words "Christmas," "Christmas tree," "mistletoe," "holly," "Santa Claus" or "flying reindeer."
Putting Christ back in Christmas may sound like a nice sentiment, but it's really only a misguided effort to try to justify a long-standing human tradition rather than what the Bible tells us we should do.
8. The Bible nowhere tells us to observe a holiday celebrating Jesus Christ's birth--but it clearly does tell us to commemorate His death.
As noted earlier, the Bible nowhere mentions Christmas or tells us to celebrate Christ's birth.
This is not to say that the Bible doesn't tell us to commemorate a highly significant event in Jesus Christ's life on earth. It does--but that event is His death, not His birth.
Notice what the apostle Paul, conveying the instructions of Jesus Himself, tells Christians: "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'
"In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes . . . Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:23-2.
And yes, many believers do what they consider a form of this today in taking communion or "the Lord's supper." They fail to realize, however, the full significance of these acts, or that what Paul is actually describing here is the Passover -- which is what Jesus Himself called this observance (Matthew 26:18-19; Mark 14:14-16; Luke 22:8-13, 15).
And many have no idea of the real date of Christ's death and the annual Passover observance, but that's an issue for another time. (Hint: It isn't "Good Friday" prior to Easter as so many mistakenly believe. See our booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? for details.) The point is: Jesus clearly expects His true followers to commemorate His death--not His birth--by observing the Passover.
9. Christmas obscures God's plan for mankind.
Passover, mentioned above, has enormous significance in God's plan for humanity. The Old Testament Passover, described in Exodus 12, was symbolic of Jesus Christ's future role and sacrifice. As the blood of the slain Passover lambs on the Israelites' houses spared them while the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain, so does Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on our behalf spare us from death-- eternal death.
Paul alluded to this great truth when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:7 that "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." Similarly John the Baptist, speaking under divine inspiration, said of Jesus, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).
Peter wrote that we are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19)--a clear reference to the Passover lambs (Exodus 12:5).
A central key to God's plan for humanity is Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on our behalf. He is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:--meaning His death for our sins was planned before the first human beings were ever created (1 Peter 1:18-20). Only through His death to pay the penalty for our sins can human beings receive God's gift of eternal life (John 3:14-17; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Christmas, in contrast, teaches us none of this. Regrettably, because it is a hodgepodge of unbiblical customs and beliefs thrown together with a few elements of biblical truth, it only obscures the incredible purpose of Jesus Christ's coming--as well as why He must return to earth a second time! (For more details, request our free booklets Jesus Christ: The Real Story and The Gospel of the Kingdom.)
10. I'd rather celebrate the Holy Days Jesus Christ and the apostles observed.
God in His Word sets out many choices for us. Will we do things His way or our own? Will we worship Him as He tells us to, or expect Him to honor whatever religious practices we choose regardless of what His Word says?
It's always good to ask the question, What would Jesus do? The answer, from the Scriptures, is quite clear as to what Jesus did. Jesus didn't allow His followers the option of adopting pagan practices in their worship. He and the apostles plainly kept God's Holy Days and festivals that we find recorded in Leviticus 23.
As noted above, they kept the Passover (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Scripture shows they also observed the Days of Unleavened Bread (Acts 20:6; 1 Corinthians 5:7-. The New Testament Church itself was founded on the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), another biblical festival they clearly observed (Acts 20:16). They likewise kept the Day of Atonement (called "the Fast" in Acts 27:9) and the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2, 10).
Christmas, meanwhile, is totally missing from the biblical record.
Most people don't know that the Bible includes a whole list of festivals that God commanded, that Jesus Himself observed and that the apostles and early Church were still keeping decades after Christ's death and resurrection. And unlike Christmas, these reveal a great deal about Jesus Christ's role and mission.
Each one teaches us a vital lesson in what Jesus has done, is doing and will yet do in carrying out God's great plan for humankind. The differences between these and the tired old paganism and crass commercialism of Christmas is truly like the difference between day and night. Why not look into them for yourself?
I've given you my top 10 reasons for not celebrating Christmas. What do you suppose God thinks of your reasons for continuing to observe it? GN
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