Malankara World Journal - Christian Spirituality from a Jacobite and Orthodox Perspective
Malankara World Journal Abstracts
Theme: Christmas Special
Volume 6 No. 390 December 23, 2016

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Malankara World Journal Christmas Special
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
- Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

Malankara World Wishes You and Your Family
A Merry Christmas and
A Happy New Year

Photo and Design by Dr. Jacob Mathew, Malankara World

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. A Baby Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes, Lying in a Manger

At the beginning of Luke's gospel, Joseph and Mary are together in an enclosed place, wrapping Jesus tightly in cloth strips, laying him out on a table/manger. An almost identical scene plays itself almost at the end of Luke's gospel. ...

I. This Sunday in Church

2. Bible Readings for This Sunday (December 25)

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Lectionary/Lec_Christmas.htm

3. Sermons for This Sunday (December 25)

http://www.MalankaraWorld.com/Library/Sermons/Sermon-of-the-week_christmas.htm

II. Featured: Christmas

6. Why We Celebrate Christmas

Christmas is the opportunity to worship God, to bow down and pay homage to Him for humbling Himself and appearing in human form. ...

7. The Wonderful Christmas Message in a Nut Shell

A Savior was born! Traces the meaning of Christmas from the scriptures. ...

8. Jesus is for People who Hate Christmas

If you're feeling gloomy, take heart. Jesus is for those who hate Christmas. ...

9. The World's Greatest Gift Meets Humanity's Most Desperate Need

Your life can be filled with treasures and pleasures, but if you ignore Jesus and His message, you will regret it for eternity. ...

10. Christmas Has Come

Christmas has come! Whether we are finished with all on our lists or are mentally prepared for the guests we now host, Advent reminds us that Christmas comes. Christmas comes because Christ has come, because Christ is here now, because Christ is coming again. ...

III. More On Christmas

11. Crisis at Christmas

We tend to sentimentalize the Christmas story as we think of the baby Jesus in the manger. It is not absolutely wrong to be sentimental, but we must also be prayerfully sober about how difficult that first Christmas was, and about the heroic virtue required of Mary and Joseph in order to cooperate with God in making it come to pass. ...

12. Swirling Emotions, Anchoring Hope

The amazing story of Christmas is that He took our worst in order to give us His best so that we might live with joy and spread the smiles and laughter that come from His gift. But peace, which comes to those of goodwill, always comes at a cost. ...

13. Homily On Christmas Morning

What shall I say to you; what shall I tell you? I behold a Mother who has brought forth; I see a Child come to this light by birth. The manner of His conception I cannot comprehend. ...

14. I Hear Music in the Air! – A Homily for Christmas

The mysteries of Christmas are many. Among them is the mystery of the music heard that night. The angels shouted the great declaration, "Glory to God in the Highest," and creation takes it up as a song. But why this music? ..

15. Sweet Little Jesus Boy

The world didn't understand Jesus when he walked on the earth, and the world still doesn't understand him today. That fact ought to give us patience when we talk to unbelievers. ...

IV. More Christmas Articles

16. The Radical Dream of 'Peace on Earth'

Christians regard Jesus as the "prince of peace," and the dream of a world at peace is woven into the story and meaning of the holiday celebrating his birth. ...

17. Christmas For Kids: The Birthday of Jesus

The story of Christmas, told for kids. ...

18. The Real Meaning of Christmas Lights

For Christians, these lights have a deeper meaning. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. At the moment when the darkness of human society is at its deepest, the Light of the World will come. ...

19. The Lost Christ of Christmas

If you're not careful, you may lose Jesus this year during the Christmas season. Rather than Christmas drawing people closer to Christ, it's been my observation that our eyes get distracted by parties and gifts. ...

20. What Does Jesus Want for Christmas?

What Jesus wants most for Christmas is that his elect be gathered in and then get what they want most - to see his glory and then savor it with the very savoring of the Father for the Son. ...

V. Supplement: Family and Food

21. Family Special: Making Christmas Memories

To create memories that will last a lifetime, no matter what the future holds for our kids, we must reinvent the wonder of Christmas in ourselves, and provide for them an environment where the miracle of a special family Christmas can blossom. ...

22. Shirley's Christmas Recipes

Recipes For:

23. Recipe: Maple-Cinnamon Coffee

24. Recipe: Saint Nicholas Day Baking Project

25. Recipe: Fantastic Fruit Cookies

26. About Malankara World

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