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Christmas talk: 45 minutes
1. Christmas talk: 45 minutes
English: O Christmas Tree [fractal tree]
German: O
Tannenbaum (O fir tree)
Why did the Christmas tree idea start?
For (fir) starters, people wanted to spruce things up to forever have a grin (evergreen) on their face.
What is the "
reason for the season"?
https://CreationPie.com or https://CreationPie.org
Let us investigate while we sing some verses from various Christmas carols.
2. Trivia
Who was the first ordained woman minister at St. Paul's church?
Esther Dundore was an ordained minister (EUB?) and the wife of Rev. Samuel T. Dundore, St. Paul's minister from 1949-1961.
3. Catnip Christmas tree
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Charlie Brown
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Problem
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Solution
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More realistic
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Everyone loves Charlie Brown, Christmas and the tree.
Problem: A catnip bush in the dining room.
Solution: A catnip Christmas tree.
Kitty reaction: A purr-fect tree.
Update: It only worked one year. Never again.
Favorite kitty Christmas carol lyrics:
Here comes Santa Claws, here comes Santa Claws, ...
O’ Christmas tree, O’ Christmas tree, your ornaments are history.
Where did these Christmas customs originate?
4. Traditions from Babel to Pergamus to Rome
Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; [kjv]
και τω αγγελω της εν περγαμω εκκλησιας γραψον ταδε λεγει ο εχων την ρομφαιαν την διστομον την οξειαν [gnt]
Many customs originated from the Tower of Babel and Babylon.
Sunset to sunset: Hebrews, Germanic cultures. (Christmas Eve)
Midnight to midnight: Greece, Rome.
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Spring (renewal, planting, Easter)
Summer (growing)
Fall (harvest, fruit, Halloween)
Winter (Saturnalia, Christmas, Hanukkah)
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[linguistic connections, papyrus vs. parchment, underground pipes]
Some people went north and west, as ended the Germanic tribes with customs of the winter solstice tree.
The Greek for "
two edged sword" means, literally, "
two mouthed sword" as in "
let my sword do the talking".
5. Romans 6:14 Paul and double meaning
The following appear to differ only in the space in the text - there are none in the original Greek. Both are objects in accusative case ending. Accents were added later.
The ancient Greek word "υπό νόμον" ≈ "under (the) law".
The ancient Greek word "ὑπόνομον" ≈ "underground passage, mine, water-pipe, conduit, sewer, vein of minerals".
Romans 6:14 … ye are not under the law, but under grace. [kjv]
αμαρτια γαρ υμων ου κυριευσει ου γαρ εστε υπο νομον αλλα υπο χαριν [gnt]
Paul can be saying (at least) two things (and all can be true).
☐ (on earth)
... you are not under law but under grace. (from above)
☐ (on earth)
... you are not sewer pipes but under purpose. (from above)
This appears to be the main emphasis of Romans. The word for "
grace" is that of "
favor" and can be translated as "
purpose".
6. Merry Christmas in many languages
Merry Christmas
Cristesmæse (Christ's Mass)
Frohe Weinachten (1170, ze den wihen nahten)
felicem natalem Christi
Feliz Navidad (Navidad = birth)
Joyeux Noël (from Late Latin gaudiosus)
καλά Χριστούγεννα (kala Christougenna)
счастливого Рождества (schastlivogo Rozhdestva)
חג מולד שמח (khag molad sameakh!)
7. Christmas etymology
The word "
Christmas" (modern English) is
from "
Christ's Mass" (Middle English)
from "
Cristesmaese" (Old English)
from "
Christa" (Latin, Christ) and the Latin word
"missus" ≈ "sent from" (source of word "
mission")
from "
Χριστός" (Greek, Christ) and possibly "
מצה" (Hebrew matsa, unleavened bread)
On Christmas Eve, at the end of the service, the fast would end and everyone would be "
dismissed" for the celebrations (12 days) and to do their "
mission", being "
sent out".
[ninth hour]
Does the "
X" in "
X-mas" take "
Christ" out of "
Christmas"?
8. Merry X-mas
9. Chrismons
The word "
Chrismon" comes from the words "
Christ" and shortened form of "
monogram" and are symbols (or ornaments) used to represent various concepts and ideas in Christianity.
10. Fish in Greek
John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three… [kjv]
ανεβη ουν σιμων πετρος και ειλκυσεν το δικτυον εις την γην μεστον ιχθυων μεγαλων εκατονπεντηκοντα τριων και τοσουτων οντων ουκ εσχισθη το δικτυον [gnt]
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153 = number of the fish.
w/h = sqrt(3) = 265/153.
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The ancient Greek word
"ιχθύς" ≈ "fish, ixthus" or «
ΙΧΘΥΣ» was an
acronym where each letter symbolized an important part of Christianity.
John uses a lot of computer science top-down, backward-chaining thinking in his writing.
[John 1, 1 John 1, John 14-19, etc.]
From a Greek geometric construction, the "
number of the fish" was
153 - the number of fish caught in John after the resurrection. (fish
w/h = sqrt(3) ≈ 265/153)
The approximation ratio is 265/153 and the number 153 was called the "
number of the fish". For more on approximation ratios, see Non-rational number approximation .
11. Seasons greetings
Preference:
"Happy Holidays"
"Merry Christmas"
How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments. Benjamin Franklin (American scientist, inventor, philosopher, statesman)
What is the number one item shipped by Amazon at Christmas?
cardboard boxes
12. Happy Holidays and the Wassail
English
"holiday" from Old English
"haligdæg" for
"holy day" with Germanic "
g" to English "
y".
To be physically "healthy" one was "whole". [flour, flower]
The be spiritually "whole" one was "holy", middle English "hooli".
These
"holy days" included all of the
twelve days of Christmas.
Matthew 26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. [kjv]
ελεγον δε μη εν τη εορτη ινα μη θορυβος γενηται εν τω λαω [gnt]
… freols-daige… folke. [wes]
… haliday… puple. [wy]
… holy daye … people. [ty]
13. Song: Twelve days of Christmas
The "
twelve days of Christmas", is a cumulative song first published in the 1780. It started with pagan origins.
Pre-Christian Yule (geol) festivals during winter solstice. Green and red colors.
Carols such as "Deck the Halls", as a covering as in "Thatch the halls", etc.
Fast until end of Christmas Eve.
12 days of celebration after Christmas day until Epiphany (magi).
How many total gifts when the song is sung (sing, sang, sung) through completely?
364 plus the baby Jesus
The Christmas song "
The twelve days of Christmas", in the final verse, has
12 lines, or parts, and
78 gifts. The number
78 is an example of a "
triangular number". The song is sung over and over.
14. Final verse
On the
twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming, 11 Pipers Piping,
10 Lords
*a Leaping, 9 Ladies Dancing
8 Maids
*a Milking, 7 Swans *
a Swimming
6 Geese
*a Laying, 5 Golden Rings,
4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens,
2 Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
*Older English often used "a" before verbs such as "a Hunting" we shall go.
15. Ultimate dismissal
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [kjv]
πορευθεντες ουν μαθητευσατε παντα τα εθνη βαπτιζοντες αυτους εις το ονομα του πατρος και του υιου και του αγιου πνευματος [gnt]
The ultimate "
dismissal" is the Great Commission in Matthew 29:19-20, though the Latin does not "
dismiss" us using those words.
The modern Greek word "μαθητεύσατε" (ma-thee-TEV-sa-teh) ≈ "disciple as in teach" is used in verse 19. The English word "mathematics" comes from thes Greek word, as in a subject that must be taught and cannot be learned without teaching (claimed origin of the word from an ancient Greek writer).
The modern Greek word "διδάσκοντες" (thee-THA-skon-tehs) ≈ "teach as in doctrine" is used in verse 20. The English word "didactic" comes from this Greek word.
16. Old and new images
The word "
holy" comes from the idea of being spiritually "
whole".
In the
resurrection, Jesus can make your body whole, restoring parts that have faded.
[S's, Elsie, R's, D's, Ruthie, Jack, EUB]
17. After
Today,
software can take
old scanned photos and create
new photos that have their colors restored to a large extent.
18. Song: Jingle Bells
"One Horse Open Sleigh", written Thanksgiving, 1850.
James Lord Pierpont in Salem, New England
Inspiration: Looking out the window at Thanksgiving (on Thursday) and needing a church song (for Sunday)
Pierpont later moved to Savannah, GA, where the song was published.
What was "
S.S. Royer Harness Maker"? (in Elizabethtown)
19. Jingle Bells - verse
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go, laughing all the way
Bells on bob tail ring, making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing, a sleighing song tonight!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.
(repeat once)
20. Christmas advent season
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Before
Christmas
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After
Christmas
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Easter
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Second
Coming
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There are many aspects to "
Advent".
Christmas: Christ came (advent as a baby), first coming.
Easter: Christ has died and risen.
Second Coming: Christ will come (advent) again.
The Latin word
"adventus" ≈ "coming, arrival" and is the basis of the English word "
advent" as in the Advent season.
21. Song: Joy to the World
The song and hymn "
Joy to the world" is often sung at Christmas but Isaac Watts (1674-1748) did not compose it for Christmas.
Based on Psalms 98, the verses talk about the
second coming of Jesus and not the first coming. This is the "
thy kingdom come" part of the Lord's Prayer.
The word "
joy" in Greek means "
favor" or "
grace" as in
"χάρη" ≈ "favor, grace".
Joy to the world, the Lord has come!.
As grace to the world, the Lord has come!
As a favor to the world, the Lord has come!
Some may not be "
happy" or have modern "
joy" at that time.
22. Verse 1
Joy to the world, the Lord has come!
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing
23. Year and season of the birth of Jesus
When you hear that Jesus was born in 6 BC (or 4 BC or 2 BC) does that make the Bible not true? Or is the calendar not accurate?
Some 50 years later: stories of the birth
Some 300 years later: time of year decided
Some 500 years later: calendar years decided
Monk Bede (meaning prayer as in "bid" or "prayer beads") wrote history using dates from Christ.
Best guess for time of year: Spring or fall time frame. Feast of Trumpets in fall provides immaculate conception in December time frame.
[sheep in open field, course of Zechariah and Josephus]
If your thermometer showed that water freezes at 50 degrees, would what you learned about water freezing at 32 degrees not be true? Maybe the thermometer is inaccurate.
24. Some cents about the need for a census
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [kjv]
2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [kjv]
2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [kjv]
When they came to their
senses, Joseph told Mary it was time to travel on a
taxing journey. No
"taxi" to go register for
"taxes".
Bethlehem: "House of Bread".
Main industry: producing sacrificial lambs for the passover.
Fields of Bethlehem: Boaz met Ruth, grandmother of King David.
Who is the "
passover lamb" born in the "
House of Bread" who "
broke the rules" for you and me?
25. Luke 2:7 no room at the inn
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. [kjv]
και ετεκεν τον υιον αυτης τον πρωτοτοκον και εσπαργανωσεν αυτον και ανεκλινεν αυτον εν φατνη διοτι ουκ ην αυτοις τοπος εν τω καταλυματι [gnt]
The Greek word used by Luke means
"guest room" or
"upper room" as described for the Last Supper. It is used in the
LXX (Septuagint) as a place, such as house or tent, in which to lodge.
There is a Greek word for
"inn" which was used by Luke in the story of the Good Samaritan, but that word is not used here.
What did Mary and Joseph think about the "inn"?
They had reservations, but stayed anyway. The light was left on for them at this one star "hotel".
26. Table of nouns and verbs for catalyst
| Matthew 5: 17 Leave the light on but do not use the law as a residence inn |
|
Noun |
Verb |
| Type |
place |
action |
| English |
catalyst (Elizabeth Fulhame, 1794)
catalytic converter |
catalyse |
| Greek |
κατάλυμα
κατάλυματι |
καταλύσαι |
| Meaning |
a camp
a guestroom
an upper room |
to camp
to lodge
to reside
to nest
(to dissolve)
(to destroy) |
Can Jesus
change the rate of reaction (being saved) without getting consumed in the process? He did so for Zacchaeus.
27. Catalyst as a noun
Jesus and the Last Supper: This was already "
prepared".
Mark 14:14 … The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? [kjv]
και οπου εαν εισελθη ειπατε τω οικοδεσποτη οτι ο διδασκαλος λεγει που εστιν το καταλυμα μου οπου το πασχα μετα των μαθητων μου φαγω [gnt]
Mary and Joseph: Luke did not use the Greek word for
"inn".
Luke 2:7 … there was no room for them in the inn. [kjv]
και ετεκεν τον υιον αυτης τον πρωτοτοκον και εσπαργανωσεν αυτον και ανεκλινεν αυτον εν φατνη διοτι ουκ ην αυτοις τοπος εν τω καταλυματι [gnt]
Jesus and the Father's house: Place to
"remain", Latin used
"mansions".
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: … I go to prepare a place for you. [kjv]
εν τη οικια του πατρος μου μοναι πολλαι εισιν ει δε μη ειπον αν υμιν οτι πορευομαι ετοιμασαι τοπον υμιν [gnt]
28. Jesus and the law and Zaccheaus
Jesus and Zaccheaus: (verb). A few verses later is the Palm Sunday entrance of Jesus.
Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. [kjv]
και ως ηλθεν επι τον τοπον αναβλεψας ο ιησους ειπεν προς αυτον ζακχαιε σπευσας καταβηθι σημερον γαρ εν τω οικω σου δει με μειναι [gnt]
19:7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [kjv]
και ιδοντες παντες διεγογγυζον λεγοντες οτι παρα αμαρτωλω ανδρι εισηλθεν καταλυσαι [gnt]
Jesus and the law and the prophets: (verb). This is near the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [kjv]
μη νομισητε οτι ηλθον καταλυσαι τον νομον η τους προφητας ουκ ηλθον καταλυσαι αλλα πληρωσαι [gnt]
The English is
"fulfill" or
"fill full". The Greek for
"complete" can involve adding or taking away - as in a sculpture where parts of the material are chipped away.
29. Naive about the nativity
Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. [kjv]
και εσται χαρα σοι και αγαλλιασις και πολλοι επι τη γενεσει αυτου χαρησονται [gnt]
… gaudium … exultatio … nativitate … gaudebunt [v]
The
first "
live nativity" was done by St. Francis of Assisi in
1223 in Greccio in central Italy.
Today, many churches have a "
live nativity" reenactment.
The Latin
"nativitas" ≈ "birth, nativity". From this we get
"native",
"nativity",
"naive", etc. The corresponding ancient Greek word
"γέννησις" ≈ "producing, beginning, birth"and is the source of the English word
"genesis".
30. Candy canes
Candy canes - straight ones - were popular in England by the 17th Century. Stripes were added later.
According to legend, in
1670, a German choirmaster wanted to give the children candy canes to keep them busy - for a
live nativity scene.
To make it a learning lesson, the
choirmaster had the candy maker make candy canes with hooks. How is that for a "
twist" on an old idea? Thus, they could be used as
ornaments for Christmas trees.
What addiction do tree ornaments suffer from?
They are hooked on trees.
31. Shepherds and Presbyterians
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [kjv]
και ποιμενες ησαν εν τη χωρα τη αυτη αγραυλουντες και φυλασσοντες φυλακας της νυκτος επι την ποιμνην αυτων [gnt]
… pastores … custodientes vigilias … gregem … [v]
[Linus, Charlie Brown]
[Charles Schultz]
[network TV]
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When the
"shepherds" were watching there flocks on Christmas night, were any of the
"shepherds" Presbyterians?
The ancient Greek word "ποιμήν" (pee-MEEN) ≈ "shepherd, herdsman" which comes from the word for "protect" since the job of a shepherd was to protect the animals.
The Latin word "pastor" ≈ "shepherd" from which we get the English word "pastor".
32. Song: Hark the herald angels sing
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [kjv]
και εξαιφνης εγενετο συν τω αγγελω πληθος στρατιας ουρανιου αινουντων τον θεον και λεγοντων [gnt]
2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [kjv]
δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας [gnt]
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) wrote: "Hark the herald welkins ring".
George Whitefield (1714-1770) changed it to: "Hark the herald angels sing".
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) wrote music, also "Wedding march".
Ever since, angels have been singing at Christmas in songs, devotionals, etc.
The German word
"die Wolke" ≈ "the cloud" which is related to the Old English word
"welcan" ≈ "cloud".
33. Luke 2:14 Paraphrase
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [kjv]
δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας [gnt]
The Greek for "glory" is that of "opinion" or "expectation".
The Greek for "good will" is that of "good opinion" or "good expectation".
Paraphrase: Expectation/opinion in the highest (from earth) to God and on the earth peace in men of a good expectation.
God has a high opinion and a good expectation that men will be peaceful on earth. To support the
KJV (King James Version) translation, the
second Greek
"in" is to the English
"towards". To support the Greek
"in", translations like the
NIV (New International Version) use the following.
NIV: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
34. Verse 1
Hark! the herald angels sing , Glory to the new-born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King
35. Song: What child is this?
The song "
What child is this" was written in 1865 in England by William Chatterton Dix, during a personal spiritual revival while recovering from a severe illness. It was not published until 1871.
Note: Fort Dix is named for General Adams Dix from the War of 1812.
Who is speaking in the song?
The shepherds are speaking their thoughts and questions as they see the baby Jesus.
What do sheep say at Christmas?
Season's Bleatings.
36. Verse 1
What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.
37. The year without a summer: 1816
The year 1816: "
year without a summer", "
poverty year", "
eighteen hundred and froze to death". Due to April 1815 volcanic eruption of Mount
Tambora. There was an immediate impact on world weather and on
Napoleon at the Battle of
Waterloo two months later (abnormal wet weather making it hard to maneuver troops in battle).
April 24: 74 degrees. 30 hours later 21 degrees.
June 6: 6 inches of snow, 18 inches of snow on the ground in Cabot, VT.
June: Temperatures from 101 degrees to 30 degrees.
August: Hard frost in NH.
Many events thereafter, such as songs and books, reflected some of those experiences.
There were major food shortages in the northern hemisphere. New England:
38. Song: Angels from the realms of glory
James Montgomery, a revolutionary converted to Christianity, wrote "
Angels from the realms of glory" on Christmas Eve, 1816.
Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
This was the year without a summer, a cold long year and a half.
39. Song: Silent night
Christmas Eve in 1818, in a little village in Austria, in a snowstorm, the organ was broken.
Winters were still cold and snowy from the "
Year without a summer" in 1816. That's snow joke! So a song was composed to be played on a
guitar, written in German as "
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht".
The ancient Greek word
"κιθαρα" ≈ "stringed instrument".
[Sound of Music, Over hill, over dale, Neander valley, Praise to the Lord]
This Geek word is the source of the English word "
guitar" through Spanish through Arabic through Latin through Greek. In the Bible, the word means a string instrument, which can be a harp, lyre or other instrument.
40. Verse 1
Silent Night, Holy Night
All is calm, All is bright
Round yon virgin, Mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
41. Song: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The song "
God rest ye merry gentlemen" was written in England in 1833 by William Sandys.
"rest" means "keep" or "maintain" as in "not moving" or "resting". Rest assured!
"merry" meant "strong" as in "good health" or "good spirit".
Meaning: God keep you strong and in good spirits, gentlemen. Why? Because "
Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas Day".
In 1843,
Charles Dickens, wrote the novel "
A Christmas Carol" (Scrooge, Tiny Tim, etc.), evoking nostalgia from some 30 years before.
Song: "God rest you merry, gentlemen".
Book: "God bless you, merry gentlemen".
42. Verse 1
God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r
When we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy.
43. Song: Angels we have heard on high
The song "
Angels we have heard on high" came from a French carol from about 1850. Songwriter: Sufjan Stevens
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
44. Song: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem "
I heard the bells on Christmas day" (later put to music) on Christmas Day, 1864, in a small town in Massachusetts.
He had endured several family tragedies. He saw many seriously wounded young men, including his son, and, like many, wondered why.
Wadsworth and many others were unaware that Lincoln and Grant, with the help of Sherman and Sheridan, had decided to reintroduce total war (war on civilians as well as soldiers) to the world and a war of attrition.
Cold Harbor (June 12, 1864): 1,500 dead, 3,000 wounded in 20 minutes.
80 years after the poem: Battle of the Bulge (and after) in World War II.
Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863)
45. Verse 1
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
46. Verse 6
And in despair I bowed my head;
There is no peace on earth, I said;
For hate is strong, And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
47. Verse 7
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
*The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.
*Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right. Abraham Lincoln
Fast forward 80 years to the day on December 25, 1944 (and the eve the night before).
48. Wilbur Jack Myers
Wilbur Jackson "Jack" Myers, Anti-Tank Gunner, 104th ID, European theater, World War II. Same United Methodist church for 99+ years.
100 years old at the time of the talk (October 6, 2023)
Jumped out of a plane at age 95.
Did not talk about the war for more than 40 years.
Tiger tanks were almost impossible to destroy. (October 6, 2023)
Christmas carols with German soldiers and band across the river, December 24, 1944 (October 6, 2023)
49. Song: I'll be Home for Christmas
Following "
White Christmas" from 1941 and again in 1942, Bing Crosby released "
I'll be Home for Christmas" in October 1943.
Some soldiers never made it home.
Will you be home for Christmas?
Where exactly is your home?
The simple words and melody were an instant hit with anyone, such as soldiers in World War II, who were away from home. It was an ever present hope to be home with friends and loved ones during the holidays.
"
Some day you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God." Billy Graham (1918 - 2018, life on earth)
50. Malmedy massacre survivors
Many soldiers fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Some did not make it home for Christmas. Some 120 were massacred at Malmedy on December 17, 1944. There were some survivors.
PFC William F Reem (1923-2003) from Elizabethtown PA. His daughter was in the EAHS class of 1974.
PFC Harold Billow (1923-2022) from Marietta, PA, later living and working in Mount Joy, PA. He was known for flags every Memorial Day.
I met Harold Billow (1923-2022) at a restaurant in Mount Joy on December 13, 2016, and talked to him for a while. At the time, he was the only living survivor of the Malmedy massacre.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. [kjv]
51. The belt buckle
In high school, Uncle Donny gave me a German belt buckle from his service in World War II. The Nazi swastika is surrounded by the words
"Gott mit uns", or
"God with us", from the Luther Bible 400 years earlier. The verse is often read at Christmas.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23.
German: … Emanuel … Gott mit uns.
Russian: … Еммануил, … с нами Бог.
Latin: … Emmanuhel … Nobiscum Deus
Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. Psalms 16:1
Discuss: What does it mean to put "
In God we trust" on currency?
The Waffen SS used the motto "
Meine Ehre heißt Treue" meaning "
My honor is loyalty".
52. Verse 1
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
53. Verse 7
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
54. Saint Nicholas of Myra and Santa Claus
Bishop/Saint Nicholas of Myra (270-343) was very generous with giving
without letting the anyone know from where the gifts came.
His light was Jesus, not himself.
Saint Nicholas died on December 6, 343 A.D. and the eve,
December 5, was the celebration of Saint Nicholas. In western countries, this date was eventually moved to coincide with December 25 and the eve
December 24.
Western Gregorian (secular and religious) calendar
Eastern Julian (religious) calendar (13 days behind)
Discuss: Has the spirit of Santa Claus made Christmas too commercial and secular?
55. Santa Clause trivia
|
|
What is the cost of Santa's presence/presents? You might think it would be net present value.
Cost if one has a chimney. On the house.
Cost if one does not have a chimney. Through the roof.
|
 |
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. [kjv]
Not a good translation: A two-wheeled man is unstable in his presence/presents.
|
56. German Christkind
With the date change from December 5 to December 24 (Christmas Eve), many Christian leaders of Europe, especially Martin Luther, did not want Saint Nicholas overshadowing Jesus at Christmas. In Germany parents were to use terms like "
Christkindl".
The German word
"das Kind" ≈ "the child". A "
kindergarten" is a "
garden for children". The lowercase "
L" at the end of "
Christkindl" is a form of
diminutive.
Going through Dutch, "
Kriskind" becomes "
Kris Kringle".
[grammatical gender]
57. The doctrine of Santa Claus
The original Saint Nicholas was a Greek monk called Nikolaos of Myra (270-343). The Christmas name is from "
saint" or "
holy" and
"Νικόλαος" ≈ "Nicholas" which is from
"νίκη" ≈ "victory" and
"λαός" ≈ "people" which is the source of "
laity" and "
lay" (as in a Lay Reader at a church service).
Date change at the time of Martin Luther. [Kris Kringle]
Norse influences in Holland as the Dutch Sinterklaas.
1823 poem: "Twas the night before Christmas".
1881 illustration by Thomas Nast.
1934 song: "Santa Claus is coming to town".
1965: Charlie Brown Christmas [true meaning of Christmas]
Discussion question: Is there a "
doctrine" or are there "
deeds" of the idea of Santa Claus, as a "
holy" "
victory" of the "
people", that might not be in line with the teachings of Jesus?
58. The doctrine of Santa Claus
Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [kjv]
αλλα τουτο εχεις οτι μισεις τα εργα των νικολαιτων α καγω μισω [gnt]
… facta Nicolaitarum … [v]
… Werke … Nikolaiten … [lu]
Jesus:
loves people
hates deeds (sin)
The Greek name for "
Nicolaitans" is related to the Greek name from which "
Santa Claus" originates. That is, literally, "
victory of the people".
A "
doctrine" is a "
teaching".
59. Mary and the lamb of God
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. [kjv]
μειζοτεραν τουτων ουκ εχω χαριν ινα ακουω τα εμα τεκνα εν τη αληθεια περιπατουντα [gnt]
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [kjv]
και ειπεν ο αγγελος αυτη μη φοβου μαριαμ ευρες γαρ χαριν παρα τω θεω [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"χαρά" ≈ "favor, grace". It is sometimes translated as
"joy".
☐ Did Mary find
"joy" with/beyond God?
☐ Did Mary find
"grace" with/beyond God?
☐ Did Mary find
"favor" with/beyond God?
60. Song: Away in the manger
Martin Luther wrote many songs, one of which is "
Von Himmel hoch, da komm ich her", which in English is "
From highest heaven, I come here".
[Kristkind, Cris Kringle]
1883: Lutheran Church song for 400th anniversary birth of Luther.
Not true: Luther wrote it. Claim: German mothers sing it to their babies.
World War I: new Welsh melody.
Both melodies can be used without offending some.
Did Mary and Joseph determine how heavy the baby Jesus was?
Yes, there was a weigh in the manger. Was He worth the wait?
61. Verse 1 and 2
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The cattle are *lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.
The word *lowing is related Latin "clamor" and Greek for "called out" as in "a gathering of believers".
62. Song: We three kings of orient are
The Christmas song "
We three kings" was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr., from
Williamsport, PA, in 1857. There's gold, frankincense, but wait, there's
myrrh!
1. All: We three kings of Orient are; ...
2: King 1: ... Gold I bring to crown Him again, ... (king)
3: King 2: Frankincense to offer have I; ... (priest)
4: King 3: Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume ... (burial)
5: All: King and God and sacrifice;
There are some factual issues with the words to the song.
They were not "kings".
We do not know if there were exactly "three".
They were not from the "orient".
63. Verse 1
We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
*It is not known that there were three.
*They were magi, not kings.
*They were not from the Orient.
64. We three kings of orient are
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, [kjv]
2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. [kjv]
Who are the "
wise men"?
From where came the "
wise men"?
John saw Mary with the telescope. Who has the telescope?
The wise men saw the star in the east. Were the wise men looking east or west?
[language ambiguity, Magi, Daniel, Parthians, Masada, Herod's army]
65. Song: First Noel
Written in England, 1823, by Davies Gilbert.
Music by William Sandys, 1833, from other popular tunes, including some drinking tunes.
Criticized for Biblical inaccuracies, repetition, simple peasant words and phrasings
What do you notice about "ABCDEFGHIJKMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ"?
No el
66. Verse 1
The First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
* It was spring or fall, not winter.
67. Verse 2
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
* From their perspective, the star would have been shining in the west.
68. Verse 3
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
* It is not known that there were three. They were magi, not wise men.
69. Verse 4
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took it rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
* Bethlehem is to the southwest of Jerusalem.
70. The reason for the season
What is the "
reason for the season" at Christmas? Which of the following Gospels talk about the birth of Jesus?
Matthew
Herod, Magi and gifts. How, some hints of why.
Mark
Mark is Peter's Gospel. No clear mention of birth of Jesus.
Luke
Shepherds and angels. How, some hints of why.
John
John tells that Jesus was born and why Jesus was born.
71. Jesus says why he was born
John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. [kjv]
ειπεν ουν αυτω ο πιλατος ουκουν βασιλευς ει συ απεκριθη ο ιησους συ λεγεις οτι βασιλευς ειμι εγω εις τουτο γεγεννημαι και εις τουτο εληλυθα εις τον κοσμον ινα μαρτυρησω τη αληθεια πας ο ων εκ της αληθειας ακουει μου της φωνης [gnt]
Only John tells us
why Jesus was born. Jesus witnesses to Pilate.
Jesus tells Pilate
why he was born in
John 18:37. When Jesus talks of
"truth", as in the Greek and Hebrew words for truth, he is talking about the truth of
reality and
not of a
logical true-false truth system.
[philosophy courses, Aristotle final cause]
72. What is truth?
73. Truth shall free you
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [kjv]
και γνωσεσθε την αληθειαν και η αληθεια ελευθερωσει υμας [gnt]
"ἐλεύθερος" ≈ "free" as in "freedom".
"ἄλευρον " ≈ "ground grain".
"θερίζω" ≈ "reap" as in the "harvest".
Play on words:
You shall know the reality (Jesus) and that reality (Jesus) will (make) wheat/flour harvest (of) you.
74. Song: Good King Wenceslas - Saint Stephen's Day
Do you ever get tired of doing good? Do you get as tired when not doing good?
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [kjv]
το δε καλον ποιουντες μη ενκακωμεν καιρω γαρ ιδιω θερισομεν μη εκλυομενοι [gnt]
6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. [kjv]
αρα ουν ως καιρον εχωμεν εργαζωμεθα το αγαθον προς παντας μαλιστα δε προς τους οικειους της πιστεως [gnt]
The Greek for "well" "doing" is that of "doing" "good".
The Greek for "weary" is that of "in (doing) bad".
The Greek for "faint" is that of "giving up" and not of getting "weary".
The Christmas song "
Good King Wenceslas", based on the true story from 10th century Bohemia, relates the difficulties of doing good under adverse conditions.
75. Bohemia
Bohemia is now part of the Czech Republic.
Bayern: German name
Bavaria: English name
Bohemia: Slavic and English name
The coat of arms for the Czech Republic contains the "
Crown of Wenceslas" (origin of the Christmas carol). The Czech name for "
Wenceslas" is "
Václav".
76. Verse 1
Good King Wen -- ces -- las looked out
on the feast of Ste -- phen,
when the snow lay round about,
deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night,
though the frost was cruel,
when a poor man came in sight,
gathering winter fuel.
77. Merry Christmas
What did the peanut butter tell the grape at Christmas?
No sour grapes! Tis the season to be jelly.
78. Merry Christmas
Remember the "
reason for the season"! Ask yourself:
Are you going home (for Christmas)?
In time, each one of us will go to our home.
Where is your home?
Thank you and have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holy Days, and a Happy New Year.
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