JESUS CHRIST 
SON OF
GOD
JESUS CHRIST SON OF
GOD
JESUS CHRIST.........SON OF GOD "Praise the Lord"/ "Trust in God"/ "Rejoice in the Glory of God" CHRISTMAS - "PEACE TO EARTH, GOODWILL TO MANKIND" |
BIBLE
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Jesus Christ, the son of God, the Messiah was sent to earth to save Humanity. The word Christ comes from the Greek word 'Christos'. The greek word is a translation of the Hebrew word Messiah meaning the anointed one. Four books of the New Testament, the Gospels (means good news) were written by Mathew, Mark, Luke and John which gave accounts of the life of Jesus. It is said Jesus was born during the lifetime of Herod, the great who rules palestine. No one knows exact time of the year when Jesus was born but the day of his birth was first celebrated on 25th December in the early 300s. The gospels of Mathew and Luke record that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. His mother Virgin Mary and Father Joseph. He was brought up in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. The angel Gabriel visited Mary and announced that her child would be the son of God and the Messiah that was promised in the Hebrew bible. It would be a Holy spirit. Sometime before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem to record their names in a census. They found shelter in a stable. The seven year old crippled boy of the Inn keeper had compassion and allowed the couple to stay in a stable where Jesus was born and Mary made a cradle for him in the Manger. Shepherds saw angels in the sky who sang 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men'(Luke2:14). A bright star shined in the sky and the three wise men, travelled and found Jesus and gave him gifts. Due to Herod's wrath, the wise men took different route home. Herod feared this new 'King of Jews' and ordered the deaths of all boys in Bethlehem 2 years old and younger. Joseph fled to Egypt and returned to Nazareth in Galilee after the death of Herod.Jesus probably grew up in Nazareth and help his father in carpentry work.
Bible Scriptures - Use the messages in your Greetings! Praise the Lord, Trust in God, Rejoice in glory of God! * Then God saw everything he had made and indeed he felt good. - genesis 1:31 * And whenever you stand praying, if you leave anything against anyone, forgive him. - Mark 11:25 * The Lord will guide you continually and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail - Isiah 58:11 * I have set my rainbows in the cloud and it will be the sign of convenant between me and earth - genesis 9:13 * Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen - Hebrew 11:1 * Love is patient, love is kind, it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things - corinthians 13:47 * Behold! I am with you and will keep you wherever you go - genesis 28:15 |
CRUCIFIXION & RESURRECTION
JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIXION According to Gospels written by Mark,Luke, John & Mathew, Jesus was sentenced by Pontius Pilate to be crucified. The Roman soldiers mocked Jesus for claiming to be the "King of the jews" dressed him in a red robe, crowned him with a wreath of thorns on his head and put a reed in his hand. The Gospel of John says that Jesus carried his own cross to the place of crucifixion. According to other Gospels, the soldiers made a man named Simon of Cyrene, carry the cross. They nailed Jesus to the cross outside the city on a hill called Calvary (Golgotha). On the cross, they wrote "King of Jews" and set it between the crosses of two thieves According to Luke, Jesus said as he hung on the cross "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do"(Luke 23:24) According to Mathew & Mark, He cried out, "My god, my god, what has thou forsaken me?"(Matt:27:46)(Mark:25:34) After Jesus died, a disciple named Joseph of Arimathea begged Pilate took his body to a new tomb and sealed the tomb with a stone. Thus, Christ holds the suffering of all victims of human cruelty everywhere. THE RESURRECTION: Jesus' return to life as his Resurrection, celebrate it on Easter Sunday. Mary Magdalene went to Jesus' tomb on Sunday morning and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. It is said,Jesus appeared to Mary, to Simon Peter and two other disciples who saw Jesus on the road to Emmanus (Luke) and to the 11 faithful disciples who met Jesus in Jesusalem.and in Galilee. Jesus stayed on earth for next 40 days and taught his disciples. Then, he rose into heaven. This rising known as The Ascension. Easter Celebrations- 2nd April Good Friday & 4th April Easter Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox. The word Easter comes from the festival of Eostre, teutonic goddess of Spring. The son of God Jesus was crucified on a cross in Jerusalem on a Good Friday and three days later an angel whispered the words to his followers that he has risen from the tomb, meaning Resurrection on the first Easter-Sunday. During the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples in Jesusalem, Jesus foretold his betrayal and asked them to remember his coming sacrifice through the act of eating the bread which he said "is my body" and drinking the wine which he said "is my blood" and then when Jesus was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, Romans beat him and made him wear crown of thorns mocking him and dragging him through the streets to be crucified. The star of Bethlehem and the cross are the symbols of Christian faith celebrating the great events of Christianity - Birth, agony and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Symbols of lillies, bonnets, furry chicks, popular easter bunny and decorated eggs are associated with Easter. The bunny and eggs are old customs and no one knows how it started but both the eggs and rabbits have been the symbols of birth and new life.
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Bible is the most sacred book of
jewish and Christian religions. It is considered to be the Word of God and they base their
most important beliefs, ceremonies and holidays on it. The Bible is also known as the Holy
Writ or the Holy Scriptures. It has two major parts, commonly called the Old Testament and
the New Testament. The Old Testament begins with an account of God’s creation of the heavens and the earth. It deals with the history and religious life of Israel. The New Testament covers about 100 years describing the birth of the son of God, Jesus Christ. The word ‘Bible’ comes from a Greek word that means books. It is a widely read book, most influential with more translations in other languages and most widely distributed. The authors of the Bible have used many forms of literature which include poetry, hymns, songs, riddles, fiction, history, proverbs and essays. The Bible stories tells the tales of struggles, hopes, failures and triumphs. It has stirring descriptions of the glory of faith and its vivid portraits of people. The Gutenberg Bible was the first Bible printed from movable type. It was produced in the workshop of Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany during the mid 1400’s. Bible Week is celebrated from 22nd-29th November to spread the message of Love, faith & peace on earth.
FAITH Faith is a light that dispels ignorance and darkness around. Faith is the hope that keeps you surfing on the waves on a sea of storms. Faith is love. Faith is grabbing the magical moments in life. Faith is deciding, daring, challenging and striving to reach the goals. Faith is trusting in tomorrow and dreaming God’s dream of a beautiful world with love, peace and joy to humanity. At This Christmastime, Free souls offers a small prayer for all FS Readers Bless the whole wide world, dear God, Upon this Christmas day, Let hope and faith, love and peace, come to light the way. Within the golden candle glow, The bells’ sweet silver chime, The stories and the carols sung, Let all know Christmastime. The shining radiant evergreen, Each gift and card and prayer, In glistening snow and twinkling star, Merry Christmas everywhere. Wishing all "MERRY CHRISTMAS" Peace Be With You.
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FROM BIBLE OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN GIVE US THIS DAY, OUR DAILY BREAD AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THEM THAT TRESPASS AGAINST US. AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. Amen.
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 The Four Gospel Writers & associated Symbols: ST. LUKE - OX ST. MATHEW - ANGEL ST. MARK - LION ST. JOHN - EAGLE
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Inspirational Leaf...... Swami Vivekanand, once gave a meal to his disciples and served himself. They protested and said " You shall not do this work meant for servants. Leave it for us" Swami replied, " During the last Supper, Jesus christ washed and kissed the feet of his disciples."He was the son of God. His love is sacrificial & eternal. Draw the strength from him and be selfless to serve mankind. Christmas Greetings Christmas time, church bells chime There’s gladness everywhere; Children sing, sleigh bells ring There’s Happiness in the air. Songs are sung, stockings hung we decorate the Christmas tree; Gifts exchanged and dance again Amidst Laughter and fun. As joy abounds, we hear the sounds of gladness, love and cheer; Be sure to send to every friend Good wishes for new year.
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The Christmas Wreath Like the evergreens used as Christmas Trees, symbolizes the strength of the overcoming the forces of winter. In ancient Rome, people used decorative Wreaths as a sign of victory and celebration. The custom of hanging wreath on the front door of the home probably came from this practice.
Mistletoe An evergreen plant with dark leaves and white berries. Ancient Celtic priests considered the plant sacred and gave people sprigs of it to use as charms. The custom of decorating homes with mistletoe probably came from its use as a ceremonial plant by early Europeans in many countries, a person standing under a sprig of mistletoe may be kissed by someone of the opposite sex. Please email us How you like our Page......
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THE LAST SUPPER The evening before his Crucifixion, Jesus shared his final meal with his disciples in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem. Troubled in spirit, he told them: "One of you shall betray me" He asked them to remember his coming sacrifice through the act of eating the bread with which he said "This is my body" and drinking the wine with which he said "This is my blood" The painting of Leonardo da Vinci (1497) shows Jesus sitting with his 12 Apostles, one of them the betrayer Judas Iscariot sitting alongside Jesus. The Christian ceremony of Communion is based on the Last Supper.
Genesis 2:7 Says: "Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostril the breath of life; and man became a living being. That 'breath' should not be viewed as 'soul' but simply as 'life'." The great Italian artist Michelangelo depicts God in human form giving Adam the breath of life. The art piece is from the ceiling of Sistine Chapel. CHRISTMAS TREE Known as 'Paradise Tree' decorated with red apples was used in plays about Adam and Eve in Germany. By 1605, many Germans decorated their homes with evergreens with fruits, nuts, lighted candles, paper roses. Painted eggshells and biscuits and sweets. In UK, Prince Albert is regarded to have introduced Christmas tree from his native Germany. The first christmas trees in United States were used in 1800s by German settlers in Pennsylvania. Now, it is a part of celebrations in every Christmas celebration. Decoration includes tinsel, bright ornaments and sweets. A star is mounted on top of many Christmas tree and other christmas displays. It represents the star that led the three wise men to the stable in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
Holly An evergreen tree with sharply pointed glossy leaves and bright red berries. Used in making Christmas wreaths and other decorations. Early Christians decorated churches with Holly during christmas time. The needlelike points of leaves were thought to resemble the crown of thorns that Jesus was forced to wear at the time of crucifixion. The red berries symbolise the drops of blood he shed.
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TEN COMMANDMENTS Moses receives from God: 1. I am Lord your God. You shall have no other Gods before me2. Do not take your God’s name in vain 3. Keep Holy the God’s Day-seventh day, sunday 4. Honour your father and mother 5. You shall not kill 6. You shall not commit adultery 7. You shall not steal 8. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour 9. Thou shall not covet neighbour’s house, manservant, wife, ox or anything 10. Love & keep my commandments THE CRIB During Christmas, many Churches display a Crib or creche (nativity scene). It shows figures of Mary and Joseph praying over the infant Jesus in the stable. Figures of Magi, shepherds, kings, angels, and various animals surround the holy family. It is assumed that the Crib making custom came into existence of setting up miniature reproductions of the Christmas scene dates back to 8th century. A wall decoration in 380 A.D. was done in a Christian burial chamber. It was discovered in St. Sebastians Cata combs, Rome in 1887. The oldest crib is a marble one carved by Arnolfo di Cambio,probably in 1232 A.D. The statues are life size.The credit of popularising the re-enactment of the birth of Christ as a part of Christmas observance goes to St. Francis of Assis who was disturbed by the ignorance of the people of middle ages. He visited Rome in 1223 and showed his desire to Pope Honorius III of making a scenic representation of the site of nativity. With his consent, he constructed a crib at Greccio and placed in the figures. In the Greccio church, Francis made the scene of nativity and instructed chosen ones to impersonate Joseph, another Mary etc. and made a Life sized wax figure of Baby Jesus in the manger. Francis related the story of the first night and this novel ceremony was then repeated year after year. Custom of making home cribs became popular too in Europe after 1600 and in Italy, the celebration became a sport as people visited each other's cribs and spent huge sums of money on them, in a competitive spirit. In France, children go to woods, sing carols, gather Holly, berries, moss and then build the crib lining the manger with holy hay. On Christmas eve, the crib is surrounded by candles which are lighted every evening till the feast of the Epiphany (12th day after Christmas - 6th January - also the day when Jesus was baptised).In Spain, on Christmas Eve, every house is adorned with cribs as this day it is believed, Mary blesses every home which she finds a picture of her son. In some places, it symbolise the fact that all in the family live in peace and harmony. In India, cribs are made in variety of forms, most of them reflect the stable of Bethlehem.
Home is where the Heart is Home is where the heart is....where love and reverence reign, where there is spirit of harmony and feeling of security, where there is neither selfishness nor bickering, nor lack of discord or respect. Home is where there is great virtues of sympathy, kindness and gentleness practiced every hour, where the child learns to know, understand and practice that is right. Home is where there is love,peace and joy - Happiness of companionship of family and friends and say Grace at mealtime and prayer at close of day. Let your home radiate Love, faith, hope and charity and let us be humble to spread "Peace on Earth and good will among men"
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Santa Claus - St. Nicholas In Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium, men in bishops’ robes pose as Saint Nicholas. They visit children, examine them on their prayers, urge them to be good and give them gifts. This custom prevailed because St. Nicholas was a kind mand. He gave gold to the three daughters of a poor man who could not afford dowries. St. Nicholas was one of the most popular saints of the Christian Church. He is the patron saints of sailors, travellers, bakers, merchants and especially children. He was a bishop in Myra, in Lycia, on the coast of Asia Minor. It is said many miracles were credited to him. Saint Nicholas evolved into Father Christmas in Germany and Protestant northern Europe. The Dutch took the visit of St. Nicholas to America. The name Santa Claus comes from ‘Sinterklaas’ which is Dutch for Saint Nicholas. 6th December is the Death day of St. Nicholas born in A.D.300s and this day is observed to mark his death day and a special holiday is declared in his memoir. Since Christmas follows within a few days, Santa Claus is associated to Christmas, St. Nicholas believed to ride on a sleigh bringing gifts for one and all.
BETHELEHEM LILY - CHRISTMAS ROSE This is the legend of a beautiful flower that
blooms at midnight only. Known as Christmas Rose, Heleborus in Latin and grows freely in
Western Asia and Southern Europe. There are a dozen varieties with which bear
flowers of different hues. The Lily white in tint has a legend woven around that once, a
girl name Madelon had a shepherd brother who went at the behest of the angels to pay
homage to the child Jesus on the first day of the Christmas day. Madelon followed them but
on reaching there, found that every visitor had taken some gift for the Babe of Bethlehem
but she was empty handed. She turned back aching heart, sobbing when Angel Gabriel
appeared in resplendent glory. The Angel heard her woes and brushed the ground with
shining wings and lo, and behold, appeared before the child's wonder struck eyes, the
loveliest of white flowers. Hugging the flowers to her breast, Madelon rang back to
the stable where the child lay wrapped up amidst coarse straw. As she arrived, the three
Kings Balthazar, Gaspar and Mechior reached there with their opulent gifts and attire; the
first named with Myra signifying immortality, second frankincense, symbol of divinity and
the third gold, the symbol of royalty. It is said that the child Jesus, with a
scintillating smile stretched out his tiny little hands to accept the white flowers from
Madelon homage holding hands. From that day onwards, it is believed that White Lily
- Heleborus - Christmas Rose has its significance.
CHRISTMAS CAROL Silent Night! Holy Night! All is calm, all is bright Round Yon Virgin Mother and child Holy Infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace (2) Silent Night! Holy Night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heav’nly host sing, "Alleluia" Christ, the saviour is born (2) Silent Night! Holy Night! Son of God, Love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus Lord at Thy birth (2)
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Merry Christmas Around the World
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MYSTERIOUS NEW
YEAR! Throughout the world, January beginning rings with the Greetings "Happy New Year". In Paris, they say "Bonne annee" and in Spain "Feliz ano nuevo. But do you know, we owe our January first New Year to Julius Caesar, who changed the Roman New Year’s day from March to January in honour of Janus, the God of beginning. Romans pictured Janus as two faced God; one face that looked back at the old year and the other looked ahead to the new! The twelve months calendar dates back to ancient Egypt period, then Romans. Then, New year began with March 1st, called in honour of Mars, the warrior God. Different other Gods & goddesses had other months called in their honour - May is known by Goddess Maja, June owes to Juno, Julius Ceasar and Octavianus Augustus were mortalised in the months of July and August, april or aprilis meant the month of warm sun and February stood for the month for cleaning. Rest were cardinal numbers- September as 7th, October-8th, November-9th and December-10th but these months changed as September turned to 9th, October to 10th, November to 11th and December to 12th - Just, because Emperor Julius Ceasar shifted the year to start with January! |
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