Trivia About Jesus Christ: Happy Holidays

Image via Wikipedia

It is believed that the birth date of Jesus is December 25 but it is not considered to be an important issue among mainstream of Christian denominations; rather, it is about celebrating the coming of God into the world in the form of man to atone for the sins of humanity which is considered to be the primary meaning of Christmas.

Some trivia about the birth date of Jesus Christ and some interesting events happened after he was born. What we read from the Holy Bible and from Encyclopedias about His birth date are merely estimated dates of birth. An event that happened during that period will answer why - almost two weeks after Jesus Christ was born, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to a certain place for the child circumcision.

Before the circumcision was initiated, Joseph and Mary were asked about the name of the child - it was Joseph who replied, "Jesus." And then the circumcision followed by using a very sharp knife because at that time there was no scissors yet and no anesthesia. And Jesus had cried vehemently of great pains. After the circumcision was done, the couple left the place and headed to Bethlehem, Judea’s census section to register Jesus. However, Joseph and Mary immediately left the place and went home when they spotted that some soldiers sent by King Herod - instructing the census people to include the names of all children, their parents and date of births of all children born during that certain period. This will answer why there was no record about Jesus Christ's birth date.

Who advised Joseph and Mary to go to Egypt? In Mathew 13 - an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

But in other source, it was the three magi who warned Joseph and Mary to leave the place immediately and go to Egypt. The event went like this: When Joseph and Mary got home; the three magi were waiting for them inside the house. When they saw the child, they bowed and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures gifts of Gold, Incense and Myrrh and presented them to the couple for the child. Then before they left the place - the three magi warned Joseph and Mary to leave the place immediately and go to Egypt to avoid from King Herod's wrath.

What pushed King Herod to kill all the children of Bethlehem who were two year old and under in accordance with the time he had learned from the three magi? There are reasons to explain about the event such as:

The three magi have failed to report to King Herod about the child and the place where Jesus was born. The three magi returned to their country by another route. King Herod believed that his power as the King for Jerusalem is forever. He did not want that a child would replace him as the new king so, he ordered his soldiers to kill all the innocents children to avoid the loss of his throne to a newborn King of the Jews whose birth has been announced to him by the Magi. Now Christians are also commemorating the Innocents Day in different dates December 27, 28 and 29 every year.

About the Author visit: Dream big and don’t stop without giving it a chance to come true.

Do Christians Celebrate Christmas in KSA

As a matter of fact, Christians can exercise their faith in the Kingdom this include Christmas celebration. However, they cannot exercise it publicly instead, they should observe it inside the home or inside the Embassies, Consulates or in a chosen safe place.

Christians are members of different groups of faiths under the umbrella of Christianity such as Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans or Baptists, Fundamentalist Christianity, Pietism, Evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, Holiness movement, United and uniting churches, Restoration Movement, Jesus is Lord, Christ the King, Church of Christ, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and many more.

There are many ways how Christians celebrate Christmas in the Kingdom such as:

• Dancing Party by invitation
• Eating Party by invitation which is my favorite
• Mass Prayers - administered by some Christians Ministers
• Beauty Pageant
• Parlor Games
• Singing Competition aside from Karaoke and Videoke
• Exchanging of Christmas Gifts
• Beach Party - started on the 24th of December to Christmas day
• Visiting some of the Kingdom's Treks
• Malling - to spot Big Sales during this season and many more
• Chatting with family on Internet

When it comes to food for Christmas - anyone can prepare all types of food that he wanted to eat on Christmas. Almost all are here except pork. From all types of cakes, sweet and pastries to Kakanin that includes Bibinka and Poto-Bongbong for the Filipinos are available in the Kingdom.

So Christians celebrate Christmas wherever they maybe in many ways!

About the Author visit: Dream big and don’t stop without giving it a chance to come true.

It is About Time to Meet Your Godfathers and Godmothers

Image via Wikipedia

December is considered as one of the most costly months of the year, those who can afford enjoy the extravagant shopping for the season. Unlike those who are less fortunate, they would have to think twice to buy even the cheaper one!

Our history tells that Christians believed that December 25 was the birth of Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, the great High Priest, and central figure of the human race. But December 25 also marked the births and deaths of some well-known and historical personalities. 

December 25 was the birth of Sir Isaac Newton in 1642. He was a genius that explained gravity. Isaac Newton’s discoveries were so numerous and varied that many consider him to be the father of modern science – a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge. Newton developed an intense interest in mathematics and the laws of nature which ultimately led to his two most famous works: Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica and Opticks.

December 25 also marked the death of some well-known and historical personalities such as, Pope Adrian 1 who died on December 25, 795. He was a Roman, successor of Stephen IV. At Adrian ’s urging, Charlemagne crossed the Alps and defeated the Lombard king, Desiderius, who had annexed papal territory. That defeat marked the end of the Lombard kingdom. Charlemagne, during the siege of Pavia, went to Rome, there confirmed the donation of Pepin to the Papal States , and joined additional provinces to it. Adrian in turn confirmed Charlemagne’s title of patrician of the Romans, thereby acknowledging Charlemagne’s protectorate over all Italy. Adrian supported Empress Irene in her struggle against iconoclasm and he sent legates to the Second Council of Nicaea.

Karel Capek, a Czech, author and inventor of the word robot had died on December 25, 1938. He was a playwright, novelist, and essayist. He was best known as the author of two brilliant satirical plays—R. U. R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots,), which introduced the word robot into the English language, and The Insect Play, written with his brother Josef. He also wrote travel sketches, romances, essays, and short stories. Čapek’s three philosophical novels: Hordubal, Meteor and An Ordinary Life are profound and even mystical in tone. Distinct from his other works, they constitute Čapek’s masterpiece.

December 25 is the 359th day of the year. It is also the 360th day in leap years in Gregorian calendar. And it is the 300th day counting from March 1, every year.

In the Roman year, December is the 10th calendar month. Now, it is the 12th month of the year and it is one of the seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. Astrologically the month begins in Sagittarius and ends in the sign of Capricorn. The December’s flower is the narcissus or holly and its birthstone is turquoise, lapis lazuli, zircon, topaz (blue), or tanzanite.

Old Japan Calendar, December is called Shiwasu. In Finnish it is called Joulukuu (month of Christmas) since about 18 century. Earlier it was called Talvikuu (month of winter). In Irish it is called Mi Na Nollag (the month of Christmas).

The Christmas tree, Christmas ham, Yule log, Holly, mistletoe and the giving of presents are the most familiar traditional practices and symbols of Christmas practiced by most Christians in Western countries and in Asia.

The Philippines is well known for the longest celebration of Christmas season in the world. During this period the children are visiting their godparents, the elderly, close relatives and sing beautiful Christmas songs in exchange of gifts and some amount of money. The Simbang Gabi starts on 16 December ‘til the 24th midnight though Christmas celebration is extended ‘til the day of the Three Kings. But the season starts as far back as September.