|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 24 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Artscope | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
The true spirit of the birth of Jesus Christ by Gwen Herat St. Stephen's is one of the oldest churches in Sri Lanka, almost 200 years old. Built against the picturesque setting of the green burgeon and the blue heavens it possesses some ancient stained-glass paintings that are priceless. Very few Anglicans worship here because Marawila is pre-dominantly a Roman Catholic area. The vicar in charge is Rev S.L.W. Padmasiri, a very modest young priest who has dedicated his life to God and sets an example of what spiritual contact with God symbolises. He has never deviated from the basics of life nor does he preach people to desist from what they require to lead a happy life. On the last Advent Sunday he delivered a simple but profound message that people must refrain from excesses such as liquor and unnecessary expenditure to celebrate Christmas. Christmas he said is to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, a time to give and take, and a time to forgive one another and a time for everyone to reunite. The true spirit of Christmas is to think and help the poor, the widows of war, the orphans and the destitute in any way one could. We must refrain from fireworks and use of crackers to celebrate. We only burn money but that given to the needy is what God would desire. That is the spirit of Christmas".
The fact that our original parents were made to live and not die, is something marvellous to contemplate. Accordingly, what Adam and Eve lost will be eventually restored with the coming of Jesus Christ. If our original parents had proved obedient under test, they would have been allowed to eat from the 'tree of life' symbolizing God's rewards. But it was not to be. It changed the course of mankind and God had to send his only begotten son to save sinners for which he paid the price on the cross to save us all. Christmas must be remembered for this and for all the gifts that God gave us; a world full of marvels for man to live and enjoy; Majestic mountains have long impressed thinking persons with man's littleness. Standing near towering crags it is difficult not to be awed by their vastness and height. Imposing, lofty, these soaring rock masses were thought by some cultures to be the obvious dwelling places of the gods. In addition to their grandeur, mountains collect and store water or channel it to the rivers and lakes. Mountains support plant life. They also serve as refuge for man and animal. Mountains are fitting monuments to their Maker. All this God has made for us and in return, let us sing the praises of his return, the birth of Christ in spirituality and simplicity. He has given us the miracle of the sunbeam wisdom above animal kingdom, the sense to love each other and enjoy the fruits of life. Let this Christmas fling open the doors into our hearts so that man will live in peace with each other. Birth of Jesus In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. He had a message for a young woman promised in marriage to a man named Joseph who was a descendant of King David. Her name was Mary. The angel came to her and said 'Peace be with you. The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you'.
Mary was deeply troubled by the angel's message, and she wondered what his words meant. The angel said to her 'Don't be afraid; Mary, God has been gracious with you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and and be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make a king as his ancestor David was and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; and his kingdom will never end. Mary said to the angel, 'I am a virgin. How then can this be? The angel answered 'The Holy Spirit will come to you and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said she cannot have children but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old. For there is nothing God cannot do". 'I am the Lord's servant's aid Mary, 'may it happen as you have said' and the angel left. Soon afterwards Mary Got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zachariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greetings, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy spirit and said in a loud voice, 'You are the most blessed of all women and blessed is the child you will bear. 'Why should this great thing happen to me that my Lord's mother comes to visit me? For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true'. Mary's song of praise Mary said: 'My heart praises the Lord, my soul is glad because of God my Saviour for he remembered me, his lowly servant. From now on all people will call me happy, because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me. His name is holy from one generation to another; he shows mercy to those who honour him. He has stretched out his mighty arm and scattered the proud with all their plans. He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors and has come to the help of his servant Israel. He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham and to all his descendants for ever. Mary stayed about three months with Elizabeth and then went back home. At that time the Emperor Augustus ordered a census taken through the Roman empire. When the first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone then went to register themselves each to their own homes and towns. Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. He went to register with Mary who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manager; there was no room for them to stay in the inn. There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night out in the open, taking care of their flock. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone ever them. They were terribly afraid but the angel said to them 'Dont' be afraid. I am here with good news for you which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town was born Christ the Lord. And this is what will prove it to you; you will find a bane wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger. Angels Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the first angel, singing praises to God 'Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased.' When the angels went away from them back to heaven, the shepherds said one to another, 'Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angels had said about the child. All who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds said. Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. The shepherds went back singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen. It had been just as the angels had told them. A week later, when the time came, he was named Jesus the name which the angels had given him before he had been conceived. Return to Nazareth When Joseph and Mary had finished doing all that was required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew and became strong, he was full of wisdom and God's blessings were upon him. Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When Jesus was 12 years old, they went to the festival as usual. When the festival was over, they started back home but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this; they thought that he was with the group; so they travelled a whole day and then started looking for him among the relatives and friends. They did not find him; So, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him. On the third day they found him in the Temple sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers. His parents were astonished when they saw him and his mother said to him 'Son why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you. He answered them 'Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house. But they did not understand his answer. So, Jesus went back with them to Nazareth where he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom gaining favour with God and people. After all the people had been baptised. Jesus also was baptised. While he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in bodily from like a dove. And a voice came from heaven 'You are my own dear son. I am pleased with you'. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Artscope
|Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
Sadly the first man and woman rebelled against God and ate the
forbidden fruit but being the God of truth and their Creator, was impelled
to keep his word and sentenced them to death. As the Bible explains
'Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin because
they all had sinned'.
