MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and to all Christians who celebrating "The Birthday of Life!" Historically, the word "Christmas" comes from the Old English 'Cristes Maesse' or 'Cristes-Messe' means "Christ's Mass". However, the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible ascribes no specific date to our "Saviour" the Lord Jesus Christ, but His birthday is celebrated on a memorable feast pertaining to it in AD 200 by Saint Clement of Alexandria ( 150-215 ) and was recorded that the celebration was in 336 as was written in the Roman Chronograph, 354. It is very likely December 25th came to be accepted as the 'Birthday of Jesus' because it was on this day - 25th December and in according to the Julian calendar and 6th January according to the Egyptian. 

In fact, Saint John Chrysostom - 4th century - commended "Who indeed is as unconquerable as our Lord Jesus Christ". As a result, the new feast celebration of the Incarnation of God-Man, that is, Jesus manifestation in the flesh, fully human and fully divine. Hence, it was adopted by the Council of Nicaea in 325 and before the end of the century it was adopted in liturgical practice, to the profession of faith and worship.

"With the Lord Jesus Christ coming, Jesus taught us to eradicate every vice, and live a life of righteousness in the faithful observance of our duties. Jesus chose his first earthly adorers from among good, simple and upright shepherds because they had a lively faith. How do we rank alongside the shepherds?" - Blessed Rev. Fr. James Alberione (1884-1971) -   

The Vigil of Christmas is the night that took place when heaven, earth and the Son of the living God; Jesus Christ became man. "What the human mind could never have conceived, or hope for, God has bestowed upon us" - Saint John Chrysostom - 

"Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us, exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the world. I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you. Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received." - Luke 1:1-4 - 

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, the mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of the living God appear. Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily. The Blessed Virgin Mary had a baby boy and His name was Jesus and come from the glorious kingdom. The angels sang when the baby boy born and proclaimed Him the "Saviour Jesus". Indeed, joy to the world! The Lord Jesus is come and let the earth receive Him and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the earth and joy to the world. The Saviour Jesus reigns forever and ever. He rules the world with love, truth and grace. Hence, come and worship. Worship the Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, the newborn 'King'. Amen!

The empty tomb. The angel's message - On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but on entering discovered that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there. As they stood there not knowing what to think, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. Terrified, the women lowered their eyes. But the two men said to them, 'Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? Jesus is not here; he has risen. Remember what Jesus told you when he was still in Galilee: that the Son of Man had to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be reconciled, and rise again on the third day.'

The apostles refuse to believe the women - When the women returned from the tomb they told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. The women are Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them also told the apostles, but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them.

Peter at the tomb - Peter went running to the tomb. He bent down and saw the binding cloths but nothing else; he then went back home, amazed at what had happened.

The road to Emmaus - That very same day, two of them were on the way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. Jesus said to them, 'What matters are you discussing as you walk along?' They stopped short, their faces downcast.

Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, 'You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.' 'What things?' Jesus asked. 'All about Jesus of Nazareth' they answered 'who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed Jesus over to to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find Jesus body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared Jesus was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.'

Then Jesus said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?' Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, Jesus explained to them the passages throughout the sacred scriptures that were about himself.

When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed Jesus to stay with them. 'It is nearly evening' they said 'and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them. Now while Jesus was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then Jesus broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised Jesus; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the sacred scriptures to us? 

They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, 'Yes, it is true. The Lord Jesus has risen and has appeared to Simon.' Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread.

Jesus appears to the apostles - They were still talking all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you!' In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus said, 'Why are you so agitated and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.' And as Jesus said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so Jesus said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?' And they offered Jesus a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes.

Last instructions to the apostles - Then Jesus told them, 'This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms, has to be fulfilled'. Jesus then opened their minds to understand the sacred scriptures, and Jesus said to them, 'So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.

'And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.'

The ascension - Then Jesus took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands Jesus blessed them. Now as Jesus blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped Jesus and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God. - Luke 24:1-53 -

-     WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY     - 

Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 - 

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -