Wish you all a Happy Christmas

[Perfection]

Wish you all a Happy Christmas

Christmas decorations

Christmas tree : Christmas tree predates the christian festivites of Christmas and references can be found to it in the Roman celebration of Saturnalia where a pine tree was hung with little masks of Bacchus, it may even predates these celebrations. We cannot be sure when the Christmas tree become associated with Christian celebration.

The tree should be evergreen symbolising the ever lasting life that Jesus Christ brings, and should be decorated with light symbolising Christ the light of the world. The Christmas tree as we know it comes from Germany and although the tradition has it that Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's husband) introduced it to Britain there are numerous accounts of it being used it by German families in Britain before this time.

Another main Christmas decoration is crib and the star.

Christmas is the time to share gifts, not superficially, but gift of - our time, our efforts, to reach out to touch the lives of others.

[Perfection]

Christmas is the day that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated all over the world on 25 th December. Jesus Christ, the son of God, God himself, God from God, became man.

On that first bithday more than 2000 years ago, Child Jesus was found by simple and humble shepards in the company of His poor parents and in a stable at Bethlehem. The angels sang : " Glory to God and peace to men of goodwill".

Jesus, a man for others. His whole life was one of love and service. Even on the cross, he thought not of himself but prayed to his Father to forgive those responsible for his suffering and death. God is so great that he can become small. He comes to us as a defenceless child, so that we can love him.

Lasting peace, joy and happiness arise when, like Jesus, we live for others. It is in giving that we receive. In this sense, every day should be Christmas.

If you want to be Happy, make others happy.

Christian religion, the largest in the world, is having Pope as it's head. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has his residence at Vatican Basilica, Vatican (near Italy in Europe).

You can watch Christmas mass of Pope live from Vatican on 25th Dec 0430 IST (GMT +5 h) on Doordarshan TV channel in India.

[ProStix]

Thanks for the greeting man... You too...

[Perfection]

Do you know the story of Christmas ?

[ProStix]

Do you know the story of Christmas ?

Of course man... Almost everyone knows that... :o

[Perfection]

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

About two thousand years ago, in the town called Nazareth there lived a young virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter. One day an angel appeared before her and said " Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now you will conceive in your womb and bear a son... . He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High".

Then the angel appeared to Joseph in his dream and said, " Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. Everyone had to travel to their hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judea, David's hometown, for the cenus. He went to be registered with Mary, who was expecting a child. Mary had to ride on a donkey for a few days over the hills of Gallilee. At last Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. It was crowded with other people. Mary was very tired and needed a place to stay. At each inn, the story was the same. There was no room for them. Eventually, one kind innkeeper showed them a stable where he kept his animals. They were welcome to stay there.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. Mary give birth to her son in that stable. She wrapped Jesus in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger full, of hay.

At the same time, on a hillside overlooking Bethlehem, some shepards were watching over their sheep. A bright light appeared in the sky. God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said " Don't be afraid; for I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people : to you is born this day in the city of David, a saviour, who is the messiah, the Lord". And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, goodwill among people. When the shepards arrived at the stable, they were filled with joy at seeing Jesus lying in the manger. They knelt down and worshipped Him.

Far way in the east, Wise Men saw a new star shining high in the sky. These men studied the statrs and they knew this was a very special star. They studied their scrolls where it said that whenever a bright star appeared, it meant that a great ruler had been born.

The Wise Men set off to find the baby. They were guided by the star to the stable in Bethlehem. Here they knelt down and worshipped Jesus. They gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

As the years past, Jesus grew, proclaimed the God's news, healed the diseased. Jesus was mocked, beaten and crucified on the mountain Calvary. On the third day God raised Jesus from the dead and he ascended into heaven.