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Updated 07 01 2024
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To play the videos click on pics
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. Luke 2:13-14 The Message (MSG) 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26-27) |
Lars and Dani's Wedding - Click Here !
ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE
Happy Christmas, War is over (John Lennon)
So this is Christmas - And what have you done? Another year over - And a new one just begun And so this is Christmas - I hope you had fun The near and the dear ones - The old and the young A very merry Christmas - And a happy New Year Let's hope it's a good one - Without any fear And so this is Christmas (War is over) For weak and for strong (If you want it) The rich and the poor ones (War is over) The road is so long (Now) And so happy Christmas (War is over) For black and for white (If you want it) For yellow and red ones (War is over) Let's stop all the fight (Now) |
Click on this link or the pic to listen to the Messiah with lyrics included. The Messiah is an epic concert. It spans a vast timeline of the bible, that is 2600 years of scripture. Listening to all is an amazingly spiritual experience. When I first met Janet in 1976, our very first date was Handels Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
And as it is our tradition, this year we again went to Scots church in Melbourne to celebrate Jesus birthday by listening to a concert of Handels Messiah. ! I really feel this is the best way to fill our heart ❤️ and mind with the true meaning of Christmas. The lyrics is virtually all from the Bible including my fav chapter Isaiah 53. It describes in all detail the suffering servant Jesus, as prophecied 600 years in advance. He is the reason for the season. He is with us and for us and we are never alone.
And as it is our tradition, this year we again went to Scots church in Melbourne to celebrate Jesus birthday by listening to a concert of Handels Messiah. ! I really feel this is the best way to fill our heart ❤️ and mind with the true meaning of Christmas. The lyrics is virtually all from the Bible including my fav chapter Isaiah 53. It describes in all detail the suffering servant Jesus, as prophecied 600 years in advance. He is the reason for the season. He is with us and for us and we are never alone.
Christmas in the Holy Land
At Christmas Palestinian Christians mourn for Gaza
In Bethlehem and beyond, Palestinian Christians are gripped this Christmas with helplessness and pain amid Israel’s war on Gaza.
People light candles next to a nativity scene decorated to honour the victims in Gaza and asking for peace, displayed in Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity.
Message from the Palestinian Church ! (Click here)
At Christmas Palestinian Christians mourn for Gaza
In Bethlehem and beyond, Palestinian Christians are gripped this Christmas with helplessness and pain amid Israel’s war on Gaza.
People light candles next to a nativity scene decorated to honour the victims in Gaza and asking for peace, displayed in Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity.
Message from the Palestinian Church ! (Click here)
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Funeral held in December for those killed in a Gaza airstrike. Hundreds of Christians and Muslims were sheltering in Saint Porphyrius church when a missile brought down part of the complex, killing 16 people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Saint_Porphyrius In 1966 Simon and Garfunkel came up with a track that blends Silent Night with the News. Little did I know, that more than half a century later in 2023 this track is as fitting in our time as it was in 1966.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Listen to Bishop Mar Mari's Christmas Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< There are 50,000 Christian Palestinians estimated to reside in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Approximately 1,300 Christians lived in Gaza, it said. Some Christians are also citizens of Israel. Many Palestinian Christians live in diaspora communities. In Bethlehem, the Reverend Munther Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, said tears flow during Sunday services. Many are anxious; some have packed up and left. On the left is the 2023 Nativity Scene from Bethlehem, depicting Baby Jesus on the rubble of the suffering church in Gaza. |
Let us not forget the suffering people on both sides of the endless wars raging at the present time while we celebrate our Christmas with lights and in comfort within the fellowship of our families.
This year we have decided to support Christian relief projects in the Middle East. We are under no delusions that we entering 2024 on a downward trajectory that leaves little room for optimism. I prefer to pray blessing rather than to pretend that all is well, eat, drink and be happy". Our prayer is for Jesus who is THE, LIGHT to shine brighter in the darkness.
This year we have decided to support Christian relief projects in the Middle East. We are under no delusions that we entering 2024 on a downward trajectory that leaves little room for optimism. I prefer to pray blessing rather than to pretend that all is well, eat, drink and be happy". Our prayer is for Jesus who is THE, LIGHT to shine brighter in the darkness.
We wish you all a blessed New Year 2024 !