2010 December | Religion & Values

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Dec. 26 Today’s Prayer

Posted by religion

on December 26, 2010 at 5:00 am

Sunday, Dec. 26

Thank you, Lord, for the various opportunities that arrive with each day. Amen.

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Dec. 25 Today’s Prayer

Posted by religion

on December 25, 2010 at 5:00 am

Saturday, Dec. 25

What a relief it is to know that You, O Lord, are the source of life. Amen.

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Dec. 24 Today’s Prayer

Posted by religion

on December 24, 2010 at 5:00 am

Friday, Dec. 24

We tire easily in trying and busy times, Lord, but You refresh our souls. Amen.

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12 Days of Christmas: Christmas quiz

Posted by religion

on December 23, 2010 at 5:57 pm

Just how did Mary and Joseph make their famous trip to Bethlehem?

What did an innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph once they reached the crowded city?

The Rev. Joe Alsay, rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, asked his congregation these and other questions during Dec. 19 services at the Oklahoma City church, 14700 N May.

Instead of a traditional sermon, Alsay surprised the church with a “Christmas IQ Quiz.”

The quiz drew some good-natured consternation as folks tried to answer questions about the traditional Christmas story. The short test also drew lots of laughter as Alsay proceeded to answer the questions.

“It certianly caught their attention,” Alsay said.

“What it also did is make people wonder. They say ‘I go to church on Christmas I know the story. I hear it every year.’ Well, Scripture itself does not say a lot about these things.”

For instance, Alsay said Scripture does not mention an innkeeper although it may be safe to assume that there was one who spoke to Mary and Joseph about ‘no room in the inn.”

Did Mary ride to Bethlehem on a donkey? Alsay said people historically traveled in caravans during biblical times so it is just as likely that she traveled by caravan.

“You wouldn’t want to make that trip by yourself,” he said. “Maybe she and Joseph had to foot it. We don’t know that there was a donkey. We can hope.”

Alsay said he got the quiz questions from a a list of such questions compiled by a professor. He said it’s interesting to see how people have filled in the empty blanks over the years.

Alsay said most importantly he likes to introduce different things like the quiz because it may spur people to go home and read their Bibles.

Also he said looking at the Christmas story with new, fresh eyes may spark a new and fresh relationship with Jesus.

“I hope that Christ can be born again in our hearts.”

And he said we may never know the answers to some of the questions. And that’s OK.

“Somethings we don’t know and that’s probably the beauty of it,” Alsay said. “That’s when faith comes in.”

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OK, if you are curious, you can take the quiz here. The answers are posted below the quiz.

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Christmas I.Q. Test

As Long as Christmas has been celebrated, it has been on December 25. (True or False)
Joseph was from:

(A) Bethlehem (B) Jerusalem (C) Nazareth

(D) Egypt (E) Minnesota (F) None of the above

3.How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?

(A) Camel (B) Donkey (C) Walked (D) Volkswagen (E) Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey

(F) Who knows

4. Mary and Joseph were married when Mary became pregnant (True or False)

5. Mary and Joseph were married when Jesus was born (True or False)

6. Mary was a virgin when she delivered Jesus (True or False)

7. What did the innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph?

(A)“There is no room in the inn.” (B) “I have a stable you can use.” (C) “Come back after the Christmas rush and I should have some vacancies.”( D) Both A and B (E) None of the above

8. Jesus was born in a: (A) Stable (B) Manger (C) Cave (D) Barn (E) Unknown

9. A “manger” is a: (A) Stable for domestic animals (B) Wooden hay storage bin (C) Feeding trough (D) Barn

10. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus’ birth? (A). Cows, sheep and goats (B). Cows, donkeys and sheep (C) Miscellaneous barnyard animals (D) Sheep and goats (E) Lions, tiger and bears (F) None of the above

11. Who saw the “star in the East.”(A) Shepherds (B) Mary and Joseph (C) The Magi (D) Both A and C (E) None of the above

12. What “sign” did the angels tell the shepherds to look for? (A) “This way to baby Jesus” (B) A star over Bethlehem (C) A baby that doesn’t cry (D) A house with a Christmas tree (E) A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (F) None of the above

13. What did the angels sing? (A) “Joy to the World,” (B) “Alleluia” (C) “Unto us a child is born” (D) “Glory to God in the highest. . . . “ (E) “My Sweet Lord”( F) “ Glory to the Newborn King”

14. There was snow that first Christmas (True or False)

15. The baby Jesus cried (A) When the doctor slapped him on the behind (B) Just like other babies (C) When the little drummer boy played his drum (D) He never cried

16. What is frankincense?(A) A precious metal (B) A precious fabric (C) A precious sap used in perfume (D) An Eastern monster story (E) None of the above

17. What is myrrh? (A) An easily shaped metal (B) A spice used for burial (C) A drink (D) An after-shave lotion (E) None of the above

18. How many “Magi” does the Bible say came to see Jesus ______________

19. The Magi found Jesus in a: (A) Manger (B) Stable (C) House (D) Holiday Inn (E) Good Mood

20. Where do you find the Christmas story in order to check on all these ridiculous questions?

(A) Matthew’s Gospel (B) Mark’s Gospel (C) Luke’s Gospel (D) John’s Gospel (E) All of the above (F) Only A and B (G) Only A and C (H) Only A, B and C

ANSWERS:

1. false

2. a

3.f

4.false

5.true

6.true

7.e

8.e

9.c

10.f

11.c

12.e

13.d

14.false

15.b

16.c

17.b

18.??? we know more than 1 could have been two, three, four

19.c

20.g

NOTE: Father Alsay wanted me to be sure to invite all my readers to St. Augustine’s Christmas Eve services set for 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Dec. 24. The church’s regular services are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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12 Days of Christmas: Music brings joy

Posted by religion

on December 23, 2010 at 12:17 pm

Former Religion Editor Pat Gilliland recently posted her thoughts about Point of Grace’s new Christmas album on her In The Spirit blog.

I thought her comments were worthy of sharing in this format.

The contemporary Christian recording group Point of Grace has Oklahoma ties. Here’s what Pat had to say about the popular trio’s homage to the holidays:

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I’m glad I listened past the almost too country and too cute Christmasy songs at the start of Point of Grace’s new Christmas CD, “Home for the Holidays,” to get to some with messages and/or arrangements that gave my spirit a lift.

One of my favorites, both for the words and the way they are delivered, is “Immanuel.” I couldn’t find a transcript of the lyrics, but this is the first verse and chorus:

No decorations, no tree with tinsel, no lights this year at home
The rooms are silent, no carols play.
It’s the first time she is all alone.
But what a wonder; she says there’s comfort …
Immanuel: Our God is with us.
Yes, He is with us still.
Immanuel. He has not left us, and He never will.

It’s about people facing the festive season with emptiness, loss and heartache; the broken and lost. It seems I’m aware of more people than ever in those kinds of situations. Some, as in the first verse, remind themselves, and others need to be reminded that even in those circumstances, God is with them. And His people, including me, can help be that reminder.

Is it that simple? Does understanding and remembering that God is with us, whatever comes our way, really make a difference? Does sharing that message with someone else by taking time to call, visit or help, really make a difference? Well, it did today. It did last Sunday. In fact, it has daily. Just thinking of the reality that God is with me really does make a difference.

Joy to the world. The Lord has come. And He is still here!

What a gift! And, as the final song on that CD reminds me, what a Gift-giver. For indeed, God is the Giver and the Gift. Not only on one holy night, but always. May I always be grateful. May I rejoice and sing. And may I share that gift!

Pat Gilliland
——

Here’s a link to Pat’s blog: http://thats-the-spirit-patricia.blogspot.com/

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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