Merry Christmas !

[Ba1234]

and happy holidays for all the members!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ba1234]

[b] Picture of Baby Jesus[/b]

[img]http://www.jesus-explained.org/images/his_name.jpg[/img]

[b]What’s the magic with a picture of Baby Jesus? [/b]Millions of children are born every year, and every birth is a miracle indeed. But we are drawn, not to pictures of just any birth; we want to see beautiful pictures of Baby Jesus! Why? I am not sure I know the answer to that question, but there is something that I am sure about;


[b]The birth of, or a picture of Baby Jesus, is of no worth to the man or woman who doesn’t also remember how and why Jesus mortal existence ended. [/b]As beautiful as was his beginnings, as dreadful was his end. But he was lifted up on the cross that we might be lifted up also to be with him. And what does he require of us? That we obey his commandments, and when we fail to be that righteous man/woman that we desire to be, that we … shalt make his soul an offering for sin... (Isaiah 53:10). This we do by having a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and crying unto the Lord to bring about his mighty change of our heart.


[b]Maybe a picture of Baby Jesus represent a seed of hope and longing[/b] for the day that you might plant his promise into your heart, and deliver yourself to him. But please, please remember, that every second of every minute of every hour of every day, people like you and I find out that they had no promise of tomorrow. So, let a picture of Baby Jesus inspire you to action! And perhaps, next year, as you look at these pictures, you will look at them knowing that the seed of hope has grown up to become a tree of salvation.

[Ba1234]

[b] Bethlehem[/b]
[center][size="2"]Also known as Beit Lahm, Beit Sahur, Bet Lehem, Betar, Beth-Lehem, Beth-lehem-ephratah, Bethlehemjudah, Bit-Lahmi, City of David, Ephratah, Ephrath[/size][/center] [center][i][size="1"]-Unlike the rest of the photos on BiblePlaces.com, some of the photos on this page are recent and not included in the current edition of the Pictorial Library-[/size]
[/i][/center] [center][img]http://www.bibleplaces.com/images/Bethlehem%20aerial%20from%20north2,%20df010703.jpg[/img][/center] [left]From the north[/left]
This aerial photograph shows the main road to Bethlehem from the north (Jerusalem). The modern city stretches out from the historic center in all directions. Today Bethlehem is controlled by the Palestinian Authority and has a population of about 22,000 not including the suburbs of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour.
Shepherd with Flock
The area to the east of the city is traditionally believed to be the area of the fields of the shepherds "keeping watch o'er their flocks by night." Several churches have been built to commemorate this event. Even today local shepherds can be seen tending their flocks in this same area (even on Christmas eve!) [center][img]http://www.bibleplaces.com/images/Shepherd%20with%20flock,%2043-30tb.jpg[/img][/center]
[center]
[img]http://www.bibleplaces.com/newsletter/Bethlehem_Church_of_Nativity_courtyard,_tb102603522.jpg[/img][/center] [left]Nativity Church[/left] [left]The entrance to the famous church in Bethlehem is remarkably unimpressive. The large courtyard is perfect for priests, pilgrims or tourists, but most noticeable are the vendors. Palestinian police now patrol the area. Buses no longer are allowed to enter the square, but instead are directed to a large parking structure.[/left]

[left]Church Interior[/left]
This building is the oldest standing church in the Holy Land. Originally built by Constantine's mother in the 4th century, Emperor Justinian rebuilt the current structure in the 530s. It was apparently spared destruction from the Persians in 614 A.D. because the invaders saw the depictions of the Magi on the walls. Local Muslim-Christian friendship is believed to be why the church was not destroyed during al-Hakim's rule in 1009. [center][img]http://www.bibleplaces.com/newsletter/Bethlehem_Church_of_Nativity_interior,_tb102603436.jpg[/img][/center]
[center][img]http://www.bibleplaces.com/newsletter/Bethlehem_Church_of_Nativity_mosaic_floors,_tb102603444.jpg[/img][/center] [left]Ancient Mosaics[/left] [left]Underneath the present floor are beautiful mosaics of the earlier church. The church built at the direction of Constantine's mother was octagonal in shape, typical of Byzantine memorial churches. Before the Roman empire converted to Christianity, the area was a sacred grove of Thammuz.[/left]
[left]The Birth Cave[/left] [left]Early tradition places the birth of Jesus in a cave. Scripture doesn't mention the existence of a cave, and skeptics note that many biblical events were commemorated in caves (more convenient for pilgrims to be sheltered from sun and rain?). But it is also true that many houses in the area are built in front of caves. A cave could serve a household well by providing shelter for the animals or a place of storage.[/left] [center][img]http://www.bibleplaces.com/newsletter/Bethlehem_Church_of_Nativity,_cave_of_birth,_tb102603461.jpg[/img][/center]
[center][img]http://www.bibleplaces.com/newsletter/Bethlehem_Church_of_Nativity,_place_of_birth,_tb102603464.jpg[/img][/center] [left]Birth Place[/left] [left]According to tradition, Mary gave birth to Jesus at the place of where the star is located on the floor. The tradition that the birth was in a cave is one of the oldest Christian traditions. Justin Martyr mentions it in the mid-2nd century, as does the Protoevangelium of James (also 2nd c.). Origen notes that the cave of Jesus' birth was pointed out in his day and no doubt this was the same place where the Byzantine church was erected.[/left]

[Ba1234]

[center][img]http://gunnyjcwriter.com/images/jesus-christ%20lamb.jpg[/img][/center][center][b]JESUS[/b][/center]

[center][b] I Think we are ALL a little guilty at this time of the year. We forget[/b][/center][center][b]it is HIS [u](JESUS) [/u][u]birthday[/u] we celebrate! We worship him faithfully[/b][/center][center][b]all year, It is time to remember[u] where [/u]and [u]HOW[/u] he came to us....[/b][/center]

[Ba1234]

[center][u]He tends His flock like a lowly shepherd:[/u] He
gathers the lambs in His arms and carries
them close to His heart; He gently leads
those that have young.[/center][center][u]The SEVEN HUNDRED year Prophet - ISAIAH[/u][/center][center] ( Isaiah 40:11*NIV )[/center][center]For as high as the heavens are
above the earth, so great is His love for those
who fear* ( Respect ) Him. [/center][center] [/center][center] [b]He is our strength in time of need, and just as King David
said; [/b]"The Lord is the strength of His people,"
a fortress of salvation for His anointed one."
( Psalms 28:8 )

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their
wounds. ( Psalms 147:3 )

All the prophets testify about Him that everyone
who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins
through His name." ( Acts 10:43 )

[u][b]Best of all, He offers us Eternal Life; [/b][/u][b][u]"For God so loved
the world that He gave His one and only Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have
eternal life."[/u] [/b][b] ( [u]John 3:16 [/u])[/b]

[b]For the Lord your
God goes with you; He will never leave you nor
forsake you." [u]Therefore, OBSERVE A 2011 CHRISTMAS EVE![/u] T[b]he grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be
with you all. Amen[/b][/b][/center][center]
[b] ( Deuteronomy 31:6 ) & ( 2 Corinthians 13:14 )[/b][/center]













[center][b][img]http://gunnyjcwriter.com/images/179x129_peace.jpg[/img] [/b][/center][center][img]http://gunnyjcwriter.com/images/5Jesus%20in%20manger.jpg[/img][/center][center][b]THE BIRTH OF THE CHRISTCHILD, [u]TRUE PEACE![/u][/b][/center][center][b]GO TO GOD'S PAGE![/b][/center]

[ToughGuy]

merry x-mas and new year to yo and ur family...

[Ba1234]

[quote name='!!!! FeRRo !!!!' timestamp='1324879295' post='1301195947']
merry x-mas and new year to yo and ur family...
[/quote]

Thanks Ferro! You too have a Merry X-Mas!

[CHANAKYA]

Merry X-Max.... Have a Happy Day!!!
At least, pandaga poota ayina, movies gurinchi aapi, ilaanti manchi pots veyyu...

[chillax]

Happy Christmas