Tag Archives: Biblical

Angel

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Christmas Angel, wood, Crossed hands, White, Free Digital Photos, Ten Random Facts

These facts are like angels… they are shining.

  • Angels are said to be God’s messengers, and are often portrayed during the Christmas season.
  • Angels are typically depicted as humans with wings, and shine brightly.
  • Angels became popular starting from between 12th and 13th century, when Thomas Aquinas started teaching about them.
  • Angels are popular known as the bringers of the knowledge of the birth of Jesus Christ, particularly to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.
  • Angels are popularly used as Christmas decorations, particularly as Christmas tree toppers.

Christmas Angel, wood, Crossed hands, White, Free Digital Photos, Ten Random Facts

 

Angel Figurine
Image courtesy of Daniel St.Pierre/ Free Digital Photos

  • The New Testament of the Bible states that angels rejoice when one is remorseful for one’s own sin, and asks for God’s forgiveness.
  • The word ‘angel’, is from the Greek word ‘angelos’, meaning ‘messenger’.
  • It is believed that every single person has there own protective angel, who cares for the person.
  • Some people have worshipped angels, and throughout history there have been various opinions about this practice.
  • Christmas angels often symbolise goodness or joyfulness.
Bibliography:
Christmas Angels, 2012, Christmas World, http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-angels.html
History of Angels, n.d, Angels: An Online Resource, http://www.cyodine.com/angels/History.htm

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Star of Bethlehem

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Matthew 2:2b NIV

“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

  • The ‘Star of Bethlehem’ is also known as the ‘Christmas Star’.
  • The Star of Bethlehem was the star that showed the place of Jesus Christ’s birth, particularly guiding the magi.
  • The Star of Bethlehem has puzzled many astronomers, and many have tried to make a connection to unusual, historical, star-like events in space.
  • Of the four gospels in the Bible, only the gospel of Matthew mentions the Star of Bethlehem.
  • During the estimated time of Jesus’ birth, a comet or nova was seen in China, which seemed to be stationary for 70 days, and many link a connection to the Star of Bethlehem.
Star of Bethlehem
A Star
Image courtesy of Lehigh Valley, PA/Flickr
  • Some religious groups believe the Star of Bethlehem was a comet or shining angels.
  • The Star of Bethlehem is often depicted in art as a comet, angel holding a star or a large, bright star with many different designs.
  • The Star of Bethlehem is often mentioned in Christmas carols, such as the ‘Three Kings’ or ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’.
  • Some astronomers suggest that the Star of Bethlehem could have been an alignment of planets, which occurred during the time of Jesus’ birth.
  • Some theories regarding the Star of Bethlehem suggest that a single planet was the star, specifically ‘Uranus’, although it would have been difficult to see without technology.
Bibliography:
Gill V, Star of Bethlehem: Astronomical Explanations, 2012, BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20730828
Star of Bethlehem, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_Bethlehem

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Bethlehem

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Bethlehem

Luke 2:11 NIV Bible ‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David [Bethlehem] a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’

  • Bethlehem is a religious city located in Palestine, in the West Bank, in the Middle East, and it has a large proportion of Christians and also Muslims.
  • ‘Bethlehem’ is also known as ‘Bēt Lahm’, ‘Beit Sahur’, ‘Ephratah’ and ‘the City of David’, as well as many other names, and the name has at least two different meanings – in Hebrew, ‘house of bread’ and in Arabic, ‘house of meat’.
  • Bethlehem is the city of Jesus Christ’s birth, and is one of the oldest Christian settlements.
  • The first known reference of Bethlehem is in a 1400 BC dated letter, involving the King of Egypt and King of Jerusalem of the era.
  • Bethlehem has seen much unrest in its history, with opponents taking over the city a number of times, and it was occupied by the Romans in 132 AD, and later Muslims from 637 AD.

Bethlehem City, Town, Middle East, Palestine, Jesus' Hometown, modern, birds eye, panorama, Ten Random Facts, Flickr

Bethlehem
Image courtesy of David Poe/Flickr
  • Conflict between Israel and Palestine has been evident for a century and so the control of Bethlehem was in Israel’s hands for some time, however the city has been governed by the Palestinian National Authority since 1995.
  • Bethlehem has a population of approximately 25,000 people, and a fifth of those live in the original area of the city, known as the ‘old city’.
  • Temperatures in Bethlehem range, on average from 5 to 30°C (41 to 86°F), and June to September are generally dry months, while November to January are generally the wettest.
  • Bethlehem accommodates approximately 2 million tourists annually, with the industry supplying 65% of the city’s wealth.
  • Bethlehem saw its first female mayor in 2012, Vera Baboun, who was previously a headmistress and lecturer, and is the home of 135 schools, 100 of which are government schools operated by the Palestine Authority.
Bibliography: Bethlehem, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethlehem
Mor L, Bethlehem History, n.d, Holy Land Network, http://www.holylandnetwork.com/bethlehem/bethlehem.htm

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Christian Cross

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Christian Cross

There are many types of crosses… Here is one of them!

  • The Christian cross symbolises the crucifixion (death on a cross) of Jesus Christ which is especially commemorated on Good Friday at Easter time.
  • The Christian cross is the most common symbol of Christianity.
  • Christian’s believe that the cross is a reminder of God’s love, which was shown by sending his only son, Jesus Christ, to be sacrificed on a cross, to bear the sin of the world.
  • There are many variations of the Christian cross, the most common cross being the Latin cross (†).
  • The Christian cross is often found on jewellery, or church buildings, as a symbol of Christianity, although many people where a cross without associating themselves as Christians.

Cross, Jewellery, Silver, Latin, Christian, Chain, Necklace, Ten Random Facts

  • The Christian cross is often used as a marker or a reminder of fatal accidents or other deaths, and are commonly found in cemeteries and on gravestones.
  • Christians were initially reluctant to use the cross as a Christian symbol, because crosses were used as a form of painful execution.
  • The cross symbol was associated with Christianity as early as the 2nd century.
  • The Christian cross is used by over 2 billion Christians worldwide.
  • By the 6th century, the Christian cross had become an acceptable Christian symbol and was commonly depicted in art.
Bibliography:
Christian Cross,2013 Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_cross>.

Birth of Jesus Christ

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Birth of Jesus Christ

 Matthew 1:18a NIV
‘This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:’

    • Jesus was born in a stable, in Bethlehem, town of David.
    • Jesus’ parents were Mary (a virgin) and Joseph, and Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
    • Jesus’ parents were living in Nazareth at the time, but had to travel to Bethlehem for the census that was being taken.
    • Mary wrapped Jesus in cloth and placed him in a manger since there was no more space in the inn.
    • A heavenly host of angels appeared to shepherds and told them the good news of the birth, so they rushed off to find Jesus in the manger.
Baby Jesus Christ, doll, Boy, Wicker, Small, Basket , Manger, Clothe, Cute, Straw Shred, Ten Random Facts
  • On the 8th day, the boy was named Jesus, as foretold.
  • A king named King Herod tried to kill baby Jesus, since Jesus was considered as a ‘king’ and therefore a threat, so Jesus’ family fled to Egypt.
  • Some magi, or wise men, followed a bright star to the birth place of Jesus.
  • The magi gave Jesus three presents of frankincense, gold and myrrh.
  • Jesus was referred to as ‘King’, ‘Messiah’, ‘LORD’, ‘Saviour’ and ‘Christ’ on the occasion of his birth.
Bibliography:
Holy Bible, New International Version, Luke 2 1973, NIV edn, Biblica Inc, <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2&version=NIV>

Holy Bible, New International Version, Matthew 1 1973, NIV edn, Biblica Inc, <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NIV>

Christmas Pudding

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Christmas Pudding

YUUM – PUUUDDING!

  • Christmas pudding originated in medieval England in the 1420s.
  • Christmas pudding is also known as plum pudding or plum duff.
  • A typical Christmas pudding contains sugar, treacle, suet, raisins and spices.
  • Christmas pudding traditions had a Roman Catholic influence, with puddings made with 13 ingredients, representing the 12 apostles plus Christ and was stirred from east to west to remember the magi.
  • Christmas pudding is traditionally cooked on a Sunday, 4-5 weeks before Christmas.

Christmas Pudding, Holly, Leaves, Fake, Round, Circular, Brown, Fruit Cake, Ten Random Facts

  • Christmas pudding was traditionally steamed in a cloth, although pudding basins are now often used.
  • Christmas pudding is often hooked on a hook to dry after steaming, until Christmas day.
  • Christmas puddings are traditionally decorated with holly or skimmia, and usually served hot with custard.
  • Even though the Christmas pudding  is known as a ‘plum pudding’, the pudding has no plums, instead it has raisins, which in old Victorian times were called plums.
  • Coins (and sometimes other trinkets) were commonly cooked in the pudding mix, and whoever was lucky enough to have a coin in their slice of pudding got to keep the coin.
Bibliography:
Christmas Pudding 19 November 2012 , Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_pudding>
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