Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth!

I wish a very Merry Christmas and

a Happy New Year 2013
to all my friends worldwide!  ＼（＾ ＾）／

 

An old Finnish Christmas card.

Since Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ, I'll post here the Nativity Story of Jesus (Christmas Gospel) according to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2:

"Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.

And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them."

♥♫♪♥♪♫♥♫♪♥♪♫♥♫♪♥♪♫♥♫♪♥♪♫♥♫♪♥♪♫♥♪♫♥♪♫♥

P.S. Please check out my favorite Christmas song. It's an English traditional Christmas carol originally published in 1833, except that this is a modern heavy metal version sung by Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010). So strong stuff, both the lyrics and the music! :)

The lyrics:

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came,
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

God rest you,
God take you,
God make you,
merry, gentlemen!