Birth of  Baby Jesus |
Long years ago a girl from Galilee named MARY was
chosen by the Lord in Heaven to concieve a child
before marrying any man, but by the blessing of the
Lord. It is said that she was only 14 years old and
she was about to marry a man called Joseph who was
from Nazareth and a carpenter by trade, when
something wonderful happened to her and to this day
we remember and love her for. One day an Angel of
the Lord named Gabriel appeared to MARY, and said "You are blessed among woman for you shall have a son whom you shall name JESUS. He shall be called the Son of God and His Kingdom will have no end" "I am glad to serve the Lord" said Mary "May it be as you have said" then the angel left her. After the appearance of the angel to Mary the angel also appeared to Joseph. Now the birth of JESUS CHRIST was as follows. Before Mary and Joseph were together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to place her in a secure place. While he thought about these things, behold an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to accept Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived of her is of the Holy Spirit and Mary shall bring forth a Son which you shall call his name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Now, all that was done was done so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying "Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call his name *Immanuel* which is translated "God with us". Then Joseph, arose from his sleep, he did as the Angel of the Lord commanded and took to him his wife, and did not know her until she had brought forth her firstborn son. Joseph and Mary had to go from Nazareth to Bethlehem in Judea to pay the taxes in the town of Josephs father at the time of her expectancy. It was a long and weary journey for Mary. When they at last reached Bethlehem they found many travelers had arrived before them and the streets were full of cheerful, jostling kinsmen. The inns were crowded to the doors and although Joseph asked for shelter for his wife Mary, every innkeeper turned them away. At last there was one innkeeper that seeing that Mary was expecting, her weariness and her need, showed them to a stable full of warm sweet hay. There Mary brought forth her son. The holy spirit then annointed her and her womb became intact once more. She wrapped Baby Jesus in her veil which was made of swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger since there was no room for them in the inn. In the same country there were shepards in the field keeping watch over their flocks by night when an Angel of the Lord appeared before them in shining glory, and then they became afraid. The angel said to them "There is nothing to fear, I come to bring you news of great joy which shall come to all people. For a child is born in Bethlehem-A Saviour who is Christ the Lord and this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Suddenly the sky was full of angels, praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." Then the angels disappeared into heaven and then the shepards said to one another, "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this that the Lord has made known to us." They hurried to the town where they found Mary, Joseph and babe JESUS wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger. Afterwards, they told everyone they met, about the child. Now, while Jesus was still a baby, three Kings from 3 different points of the world one from the East, one from the West and one probably from the North known as Gaspar, Melchor, and Baltazar, all went to Jerusalem and were asking "Where is He that is born King of the Jews for we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him." Herod who was king at the time and who had a wicked heart heard this and called the three Kings also known as the three wise men, to him and asked them just when did the star appear. Then he sent them off to Bethlehem saying "Go and search for the child and when you have found him, bring word back to me that I may come to worship him also." When they had heard the king, the wise men departed and behold, the same star they had seen in the East went before them until it stood over the place where The Child JESUS lay. When they saw the star the three men rejoiced and were glad. When they arrived and came into the manger, they saw Mary holding her child in her arms and they fell to their knees to worship and glorify Him. They opened their treasures, each containing gold, frankincense and myrhh in representation of the different lands they were from. Being warned by God that they should not return to Herod, they then departed for their country another way. One of them in confusion wanted to go back to Herod to let Herod know about the baby JESUS, not knowing that Herod had evil thoughts about JESUS but the Angel of the Lord changed his appearance, his hair became white and his skin tanned so that Herod wouldn't be able to recognize him. Seeing this he changed his mind and followed the other two Kings. This marks the last day of Christmas known as the Epiphany of Christmas which in some places is celebrated on January 6 and is known as Three Kings Day. JESUS was born at the time when there is only one plant that changes its color in December as a sign to His birth which is called the "Poinsettia". The Poinsettia is the only plant that changes its color from green to red during the month of December. JESUS was his name as the Angels of the Lord announced that He was to be named before he was born and CHRIST was his second name, thus CHRISTMAS is derived from his second name CHRIST and MAS comes from the castellian spanish/latin language. The word MAS=PLUS/MORE meaning that there was more to come. So when you see the word CHRISTMAS don't think of it as just a festivity but as coming from the name JESUS CHRIST+. When you see the word Xmas, some say that this means that there is more to come from that which is unknown. Xmas is derived from the Greek language. The abbreviation Xmas is an ancient one and is derived from the fact that in Greek, the word "Christ" began with the letter "X" (chi), for example Chris=Xris, so. Christ=Xrist. X also represented the cross he carried for the Greeks but since he was just a baby they changed the symbol of the cross from a tee to a tee in the form that it made when he was carrying the cross only shortening one of its legs to form the letter X. They later on began to abbreviate Christ with the letter X not to cross out the name Christ but as a symbol coming from "the one who carried the cross to save us from our sins" making Xmas mean that there was more to come from the one born to carry the cross and save us all from being sinners. The tradition to abbreviate Christ continued and until the present time we continue to abbreviate Christ with the letter X as a lesson learned from Greek traditions. Now you know the truth about what really CHRISTMAS is all about. He grew up strong in spirit, full of wisdom and the Grace of God was upon Him. |
 The Animals Christmas Eve |
| In the barn on Christmas Eve, After all the people leave, The animals in voices low, Remember Christmas long ago. ONE small hen, upon her nest, Softly clucks to all the rest, "Little chicks, come gather near, A wonderous story you will hear." TWO white doves, on rafters high, Coo a quiet lullaby; "Long ago in manger hay, The little baby JESUS lay. "THREE wise men from far away Came to visit him one day, For He was born," the doves recall, "To be the greatest King of All!" FOUR brown horses in their stalls, Snug within the stable walls, Tell of His birth; "Twas long foretold By chosen men in days of old." FIVE great donkeys speak of pride, Remembering one who gave a ride, Our brother donkey went with them From Nazareth to Bethlehem." SIX spotted cows now nibble hay Like that on which The Baby JESUS lay. "They put him in a manger bed So He could rest His sleepy head." SEVEN goats, all black and white, Describe the sky that holy night, "A star appeared at early morn To mark the place where He was born." EIGHT nestling kittens lick their fur, They nod their heads and softly purr, "And He was wrapped in swaddling clothes To keep Him warm from head to toes." NINE woolly sheep, down from the hill, On Christmas Eve remember still; "Shepards heard the angels sing "Praises to the newborn King." TEN soft lambs say JESUS name. "It was He, the lamb of God who came." "He was the greatest gift of love Sent from His Father, God, above." ELEVEN puppies listen well, In hopes that they, in turn, can tell The Christmas Story another year For all the animals to hear. TWELVE chimes ring out from far away The lovely bells of Christmas Day, And every beast bows low his head For one small babe in a manger bed. |
| Oh Holy Night |
Oh holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Truly He told us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus sing we,
Let all within us praise His holy name
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born.
Notice New Recording of WMMR performance, Winter 1994
This traditional Christmas song was performed only once before on Helen Leicht's WMMR show in 1994 and again re-recorded by perfectionists. Happy Christmas! [The Keep's notes written by Kevin Bartlett]
Recording ©1995 by Happy Rhodes, Published by Hovering Slab Music BMI
Traditional. Words by Chappeau de Roquemaure, Translated by John S. Dwight
 |
Movie/Video  
Mary and Joseph - A Story of Faith
|
|