Asalaam aleykhum / Bwana asifiwe/ Tumsifu yesu kristo / How are you?
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Tumshukuru sana na tumuombee kwa SIR GOD mwakani alete vitu vizuri zaidi ya hiviBorther Issa Michuzi mungu atakusaidia.
Napenda kuchua fruksa hii wananchi wote WALIO NJE YA TANZANIA na WATANZANIA WENZANGU POPOTE WALIPO DUNIANI kuwatakia X MAS njema na NEW YEAR 2009
Ni Sisi Mr & Mrs M. Msemo.
email: masqtz@yahoo.com
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Wadau Mr & Mrs M. Msemo
Nashukuru sana kwa salamu na ujumbe wenu mwanana. Hakika umenifariji sana na kunitia nguvu za kuendeleza libeneke zaidi mwaka ujao, panapo majaaliwa.
Naomba nilumangie ujumbe wenu kwangu na wadau woooote popote walipo kwani bila wao isingekuwa hivyo mlivyonena. Kwa lugha ingine sifa za globu hii ya jamii si zangu bali ni za wadau ambao wamekuwa nami toka enzi hizo hadi hii leo.
Sina ubavu wa kupokea sifa hizo kwani ni siri ya wazi kwamba hilo ni jukumu langu, ni sawa na kumsifia polisi kwa kukamata mwizi; ni kazi yake, ama dereva kuendesha gari kutoka kituo kimoja hadi kingine; ni kazi yake. Hivyo mie najihisi natimiza tu wajibu wangu na narudisha hizo sifa kwa wapendwa wadau wangu wote ninaowapenda, ninaowajali na ninaowaheshimu sana sana. Mola awape afya wadau wote na nawatakia Krisimasi njema hapo kesho.
-Michuzi
True meaning of Christmas
ReplyDeleteHENLEY MORGAN
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The origins of Christmas go back to before the time of Christ when many ancient cultures celebrated the changing of the seasons. The Greeks, for example, celebrated what were known as Bacchanalia in honour of Bacchus, the god of wine.
In ancient Rome festivals were held in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture. In the Julian calendar, created 45 BC by Julius Caesar, the winter solstice fell on December 25.
In the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, the tradition of the winter solstice was kept alive by traditions coming from older civilisations which existed in antiquity. It was this winter solstice that was the time of celebration and exchange of gifts as the hardness of winter began to wane and the days grew longer. In addition to the giving of gifts, several other practices carried over. These include: Santa Claus, the Christmas tree and the mistletoe. When Northern Europe was Christianised the pagan and mythical traditions had a major influence on Christmas. December 25, 336 was the first recorded celebration of what we today call Christmas.
The Bible offers no date for Jesus' birth, hence the timing of His nativity is up for debate. However, the presence of shepherds "keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8) suggests that the date may have actually occurred in the spring during lambing - the only time of year shepherds watch their flocks both day and night.
These two issues, the pagan origins and the date, have caused some religions to question the validity and the correctness of celebrating Christmas. Some Christians argue that the day is pagan and so anyone who celebrates Christmas is given to devil worship.
One thing with religion generally and Christianity in particular, a belief held is almost impossible to change by arguments put forth by mortal tongue. Changing beliefs concerning Christmas is hardly the objective of this brief column. But I ask the readers to consider this point of view.
In celebrating Christmas we celebrate the day when the Word became flesh. Celebrating in spirit and truth the Saviour's entry into this world cannot be occultist, worldly or wrong. If we are worshipping the Lord and giving glory to Him; if we are joining with the angels in celebrating a Saviour born, then we are in line with the revelation of scripture. Christmas is doing justice to the event heralded throughout the Old Testament of the Bible. The day is not the issue; no more than is observing Saturday (Saturn Day) or Sunday (that's Sun Day) in the calendar an issue regarding one's belief in the true and living God.
There is a word of caution, though. It arises from the objections to Christmas celebrations coming from the more conservative among the religious fraternity. The true essence of celebrating the Saviour's birth is in honouring His presence; not the presents. Get it? With the commercialisation of Christmas and the emphasis placed on Christmas paraphernalia, the true essence in celebrating the Saviour's birth is at risk of being lost.
If Christ is absent from our worship during the holiday, we have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is a time for peace. Isaiah prophesied, saying, "For unto us a child is born... His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9: 6). When Jesus was born in Bethlehem the angels sang, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. (Luke 2: 14).
Paul wrote that the peace of God "passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4: 7). Jesus said He came to bring peace, and He promised to leave peace with us (John 14:27), yet we often rob ourselves of peace in our approach to Christmas. In the person of God's son Jesus, we see the whole man and what God wants us to be. Christ is the embodiment of peace and goodwill on earth.
During Christ's Ministry He brought peace to troubled hearts, to a troubled world. It is Christ's coming into our hearts that gives us peace, for "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5: 1). As Christ was preparing to leave His disciples to go back to His Heavenly Father, every word He spoke was weighted with significance. He said, "Peace I leave With you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth. Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid" (John 14:27).
With an internecine warfare being waged by the forces of evil among us and a world recession at our doorsteps, there is a practical dimension to not getting caught up with the externalities of Christmas but instead to meditate inwardly on the Christ who is the reason for the season.
Have a Blessed and Holy Christmas.
hmorgan@cwjamaica.com
HENLEY MORGAN
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The origins of Christmas go back to before the time of Christ when many ancient cultures celebrated the changing of the seasons. The Greeks, for example, celebrated what were known as Bacchanalia in honour of Bacchus, the god of wine.
In ancient Rome festivals were held in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture. In the Julian calendar, created 45 BC by Julius Caesar, the winter solstice fell on December 25.
In the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, the tradition of the winter solstice was kept alive by traditions coming from older civilisations which existed in antiquity. It was this winter solstice that was the time of celebration and exchange of gifts as the hardness of winter began to wane and the days grew longer. In addition to the giving of gifts, several other practices carried over. These include: Santa Claus, the Christmas tree and the mistletoe. When Northern Europe was Christianised the pagan and mythical traditions had a major influence on Christmas. December 25, 336 was the first recorded celebration of what we today call Christmas.
The Bible offers no date for Jesus' birth, hence the timing of His nativity is up for debate. However, the presence of shepherds "keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8) suggests that the date may have actually occurred in the spring during lambing - the only time of year shepherds watch their flocks both day and night.
These two issues, the pagan origins and the date, have caused some religions to question the validity and the correctness of celebrating Christmas. Some Christians argue that the day is pagan and so anyone who celebrates Christmas is given to devil worship.
One thing with religion generally and Christianity in particular, a belief held is almost impossible to change by arguments put forth by mortal tongue. Changing beliefs concerning Christmas is hardly the objective of this brief column. But I ask the readers to consider this point of view.
In celebrating Christmas we celebrate the day when the Word became flesh. Celebrating in spirit and truth the Saviour's entry into this world cannot be occultist, worldly or wrong. If we are worshipping the Lord and giving glory to Him; if we are joining with the angels in celebrating a Saviour born, then we are in line with the revelation of scripture. Christmas is doing justice to the event heralded throughout the Old Testament of the Bible. The day is not the issue; no more than is observing Saturday (Saturn Day) or Sunday (that's Sun Day) in the calendar an issue regarding one's belief in the true and living God.
There is a word of caution, though. It arises from the objections to Christmas celebrations coming from the more conservative among the religious fraternity. The true essence of celebrating the Saviour's birth is in honouring His presence; not the presents. Get it? With the commercialisation of Christmas and the emphasis placed on Christmas paraphernalia, the true essence in celebrating the Saviour's birth is at risk of being lost.
If Christ is absent from our worship during the holiday, we have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is a time for peace. Isaiah prophesied, saying, "For unto us a child is born... His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9: 6). When Jesus was born in Bethlehem the angels sang, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. (Luke 2: 14).
Paul wrote that the peace of God "passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4: 7). Jesus said He came to bring peace, and He promised to leave peace with us (John 14:27), yet we often rob ourselves of peace in our approach to Christmas. In the person of God's son Jesus, we see the whole man and what God wants us to be. Christ is the embodiment of peace and goodwill on earth.
During Christ's Ministry He brought peace to troubled hearts, to a troubled world. It is Christ's coming into our hearts that gives us peace, for "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5: 1). As Christ was preparing to leave His disciples to go back to His Heavenly Father, every word He spoke was weighted with significance. He said, "Peace I leave With you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth. Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid" (John 14:27).
With an internecine warfare being waged by the forces of evil among us and a world recession at our doorsteps, there is a practical dimension to not getting caught up with the externalities of Christmas but instead to meditate inwardly on the Christ who is the reason for the season.
Have a Blessed and Holy Christmas.
hmorgan@cwjamaica.com
MICHUZI USINICHEKESHE, ETI UNASEMA NI KAZI YAKO BASI HUSTAHILI AMA KUPEWA SIFA AU KUSHUKULIWA, NAHISI UMESHAKUJA HUKU MAJUU NA UNAWAONA WATU WANAPOSHUKA KATIKA DALADALA WANAMWAMBIE DEREVA THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD DAY. SASA WEWE UNGESEMA NI KAZI YAKE NA KWANZA NIMELIPA NAULI KWA PESA YANGU YA NINI NIMPE THANK YOU, NIMSHUKURU KWA WAJIBU WAKE! AU HUKU UNAENDA DUKANI KUNUNUA KITU UNAPOONDOKA UNAMWAMBIA MWENYE DUKA THANK YOU PAMOJA NA KWAMBA UMETOWA PESA YAKO. UNASTAHILI THANK NA PONGEZI HATA KAMA NI KAZI YAKO, HUO NI USTAARABU WA KAWAIDA TU KWA BINADAMU WOTE.
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