Every week the Taiwan Church Press prints and distributes 60 thousand copies of Keng-sim (Cultivate Hearts), a publication designed to be given to church members along with their Sunday Worship bulletins.
Keng-sim contains testimonies and other short articles intended to nurture the hearts of all who read it. For Christmas, 130 thousand copies of a special edition have been prepared. They wish all readers a "Mary Christmas."
The contents begin with a reproduction of the painting "Annunciation" by English artist Thomas Copper Gotch. They continue with articles, poems and prayers that look at the holiday from a particularly "Marian" point of view. Emphasis is laid on the humility and service of Mary in the Christmas story, and her willingness to submit to the will of God.
Readers are encouraged to serve like Mary, seeing those in their own surroundings who need their God-derived love and concern. Keng-sim editor, Lu Li-li says, "This year we have moved the emphasis from the manger, the baby and the shepherds where our traditional focus lay. The angel and Mary form our starting point and our background. From this place we speak to Taiwan's people of Jesus' birth and the good news of the gospel."
Ms Lu encourages Christians not to hold on to the special edition, but to share it with neighbors who do not yet believe in Christ.
The additional production cost for the special edition ran to 600,000 Taiwan Yuan. (17,140 Euros). Contributions to defray this cost or requests for copies of the publication can be directed to the Taiwan Church Press, Keng-sim office. In Taiwan call (06) 235 6277 ext. 168.
By Albert H. Lee
chtoday_editor@chtoday.com