The Holy City (the Song)

Popular religious song composed by Stephen Adams (Michael Maybridge)  and written by Frederick Weatherly. It is in the spirit of Christmas, and for the love of it, that the "The Holy City" is being featured.

"The Holy City", which is a religious Victorian ballad dating from 1892,  has been a popular song in English during Christmas either sung in solo or with a choral group. It is a universal favourite especially among believers. The music was composed by Michael Maybrick, an English composer and singer who wrote under the pseudonym as Stephen Adams, and the lyrics written by Frederic Weatherly, an English lawyer, author and lyricist. 

Gift of Christmas

Celebrating God's greatest gift to us: Jesus, a reason for the season.

It's Christmas time again. To Christians, we feel a sense of joy, peace, and hope as we reflect God's greatest gift to us.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son. That whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life."  (John 3:16).

Another year to prepare gifts for people we love. We love gifts, love the joy and excitement of unwrapping and exploring them. But most of all we love giving gifts to those special to us, to loved ones and friends. 

Christmas Day December 25

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS to Everyone!

As we celebrate Christmas - family holidays, presents, food, hanging out with loved ones and friends - may we reflect on the real meaning of it which is the celebration of the birthday of Christ, God's greatest gift to us.

Once again, we revisit the Christmas Story that  gives a biblical account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas story is paraphrased from the New Testament Books of Matthew and Luke in the Bible:

Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20

Epiphany - The Three Wise Men and King Herod

The Magi and Herod

Here's a happy and blessed New Year to Everyone!

After the birth of Jesus, three wise men or Magi from the East, led by a star, came looking for the "king of the Jews" which angered Herod.

A happy and blessed New Year to everyone!

Known as Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, it is the Christian festival commemorating  the showing of the infant Christ child to the Magi. So the Bible tells us that the three wise men or Magi from Eastern lands were led by a star to Jerusalem in search for the baby Jesus. It was during the last months of King Herod's bloody reign that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

According to the gospels, the three wise men asked Herod where "the king of the Jews" was to be born. The Magi acknowledged publicly the baby Jesus as the Messiah and Herod was afraid of such threat to him as the king of Judea and Samaria.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, may we thank the almighty God for -

• the wonderful things we receive, and often we take for granted,

• the unexpected courtesy, kindly and thoughtful deeds,

• hands that reach out to help in times of special needs.

May we be more aware of daily graces that come to us.  In my mind is one favourite traditional hymn:

"O Little Town of Bethlehem." I refer to the last stanza, in particular.  It is a personal prayer... and hoping yours too.

Words: Phillips Brooks, 1867.

Music: St. Lou­is, Lewis H. Redner, 1868.  Red­ner was Brooks’ or­gan­ist at Ho­ly Trin­i­ty Church in Bos­­ton, Mass­­a­­chu­­setts. The tune came to him on Christ­mas Eve, and was first sung the next day.

1.  O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

2. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

3. How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

4. Where children pure and happy pray to the blessèd Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.

5. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Cyber Hymnal

Happy Christmas

Christmas Thoughts

A Blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. That whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."  - John 3:16

For some of you who are alone, know that you are not.  Christmas has one important reminder:  to trust God and follow His leading - even when we anxiously face uncertainty and overwhelming circumstances.  This makes all the difference.

May your Christmas bring pleasant and wonderful surprises like this one at the Seaway Mall...  I've received this video few times and I do love it.  And may God bless you all richly throughout this season. We give gifts because God first gave us his greatest gift.

History of Christmas

How did Christmas Start?  Since festivities were mainly founded on Pagan practices, at first, December 25 was not accepted by the Christian Church as Christmas Day. The history of Christmas has gone a long way. Festivities can be traced back from Roman celebration, Epiphany and Saint Nicholas, to Christians most important celebration of Jesus’ birth, Christmas trees, Christmas carols, family reunion, gift-giving, a season of merriment and eating, and simply, a time for holiday.

When Did Christmas Celebration Begin?

The answer to this question depends on what is meant by the term “Christmas.” For the purpose of this article, the answer is in reference to the general season of celebration, placed in ancient history, with the rise of Winter Solstice, the time when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun.
Although the event’s interpretation varies according to cultural affinities, most cultures recognize Winter Solstice as involving rebirth, and therefore signal holidays and festivities. These celebrations or rituals in those times can be traced back to ancient cultures that include the Mesopotamians, Egyptians and Persians.

Christmas Quotes from the Bible

Biblical sayings relating to the birthday of Jesus.

With all the holiday season's excitement, let's not forget that Jesus is the greatest gift of God to us, the reason for the season:  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only beloved son... that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3: 16.   What wondrous gift, amazing grace!

"Joy to the world! the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing."

~ Isaac Watts, Joy to the World ~

The list is collected starting from the prophesied birth of Jesus Christ found in the first book of Genesis, Old Testament, to the Gospel book of Luke, New Testament. 

Third Sunday of Advent

A prayer and praise --- For Almighty God's advent in our empty world in Jesus, his light shining in our darkness, his word into our silence, join me in giving thanks.  Please also join me in asking him to give us hearts receptive to his advent, spirits expectant of his presence, ready to rise and follow him at his call.

Featured Music:  Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus 

Words:  Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Na­tiv­i­ty of Our Lord (Lon­don: Will­iam Stra­han, 1745), No.10.
Music: Hy­fry­dol, Rowland H. Prichard, 1830

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

 Cyber Hymnal