"In those days Ceasar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register w/ Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firrstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inn." -Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
This Christmas account from the Gospel of Luke is NOT a fantasy story related to Alice in Wonderland, but about a well known family travel, that made the awesome nativity scene happened. What does traveling have to do with Christmas? As we reflect on Christmas, our thoughts goes back to Mary & Joseph as they traveled down to Bethlehem where the first Christmas happened many thousand years ago. It was a difficult time to travel as Mary was pregnant. She probably rode on the back of a donkey as depicted on most cards. Traveling was not only very slow but challenging. Giving birth in a stable indeed was a miracle without medical help or nanny. But the baby Jesus is the beloved son of God who came in human flesh and so it was possible. God the creator of all beings & things became a human baby is a deep mystery to fathom. He traveled from Heaven to earth, so we could enjoy HIS great love & salvation.
This Christmas account from the Gospel of Luke is NOT a fantasy story related to Alice in Wonderland, but about a well known family travel, that made the awesome nativity scene happened. What does traveling have to do with Christmas? As we reflect on Christmas, our thoughts goes back to Mary & Joseph as they traveled down to Bethlehem where the first Christmas happened many thousand years ago. It was a difficult time to travel as Mary was pregnant. She probably rode on the back of a donkey as depicted on most cards. Traveling was not only very slow but challenging. Giving birth in a stable indeed was a miracle without medical help or nanny. But the baby Jesus is the beloved son of God who came in human flesh and so it was possible. God the creator of all beings & things became a human baby is a deep mystery to fathom. He traveled from Heaven to earth, so we could enjoy HIS great love & salvation.
Without Mary & Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, the Christmas story will not be fulfilled. Thank God that traveling is in God's agenda & desire not only for the wonderful couple & baby but also for His children. Those who received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior & Lord.
This year 2010, my husband & I are blessed with many enjoyable & unforgettable travels to many far away countries in our golden years. Since my husband's early retirement in August, 2009, we thought that traveling is the BEST use of our remaining time, energy & resources. We traveled to the Philippines & Southeast Asia for 2 months. The trip to the Philippines, our former homeland was a sentimental journey. After 35 years of absence, it was the right time to revisit. Visiting Southeast Asia was a dream that came true. As we traveled by jumbo jets, cruise ship, jeepney, cars, taxis, tour buses, double deck bus, tramway, bullet train, motor boats, super ferry, etc., it felt like CHRISTMAS everyday & everywhere we journey. We experienced God's providential care & love at all times.
Here's wishing you all a " MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR" from different places & languages.
FROM PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES- FEBRUARY 2010Filipino- "Maligayang pasko at manigong bagong taon!"
FROM BANGKOK, THAILAND WITH LOVE (AT THE SIAM NARIMIT SHOW)Thai
สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส และสวัสดีปีใหม่(sùk săn wan-krít-mâat láe sà-wàt-dee bpee mài)
FROM SINGAPORE PEAK - MARCH 2010Chinese(Cantonese)
聖誕節同新年快樂 (singdaanjit tùhng sànnìhn faailohk)恭喜發財 (gùng héi faat chōi) - used at Chinese New Year
FROM VIETNAM WITH VIETNAMESE LADIES (CRUISE PORT)Vietnamese - "Chúc Giáng Sinh Vui Vẻ và Chúc Năm Mới Tốt Lành"
FROM NHA TRANG (VIETNAM) -A COASTAL ISLAND - 2010Vietnamese - "Chúc Giáng Sinh Vui Vẻ và Chúc Năm Mới Tốt Lành"
FROM HONGKONG AT THE PEAK-MARCH 2010Chinese(Cantonese)
聖誕節同新年快樂 (singdaanjit tùhng sànnìhn faailohk)恭喜發財 (gùng héi faat chōi) - used at Chinese New Year
FROM MACAU- A PORTUGUESSE COLONY IN THE PASTPortuguese
"Feliz Natal e próspero ano novo / Feliz Ano NovoBoas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo / Um Santo e Feliz Natal "
FROM TAIPEI With Ebb -March 2010Chinese(Taiwanese)
Sèng-tàn-chiat Khòai-lo̍k (聖誕節快樂）- Merry ChristmasSin-nî Chhut-thâu-thiⁿ (新年出頭天）- Happy New Year
FROM OKINAWA, JAPAN- March 2010Japanese
メリークリスマス (merī kurisumasu)New Year greeting - 'Western' style新年おめでとうございます (shinnen omedetō gozaimasu)New Year greetings - Japanese style明けましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetō gozaimasu)旧年中大変お世話になりました (kyūnenjū taihen osewa ni narimashita)本年もよろしくお願いいたします (honnen mo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu)
FROM SHANGHAI, CHINA-(Inside the Mag-bullet train) Chinese(Shanghainese)
圣诞节快乐 (sendaijiq kualoq) 新年快乐 (sinni kualoq)
FROM BEIJING (CHINA)-THE GREAT WALL- (WINTER 2010) Chinese(Mandarin)
聖誕快樂 新年快樂 [圣诞快乐 新年快乐](shèngdàn kuàilè xīnnián kuàilè)恭喜發財 [恭喜发财] (gōngxǐ fācái) - used at Chinese New Year
FROM MEXICAN RIVIERA:We just returned from our Mexican Riviera cruise early December. No picture ready yet. In Spanish- "Feliz Navidad y prospero
ano nuevo!"
.jpg)
10 comments:
Wow really great photos. Love the translations you put up of the other languages. I want to go check out Singapore next time I'am in the far east.
Thanks Robin. Glad you like the many languages attached.
Beautiful blog.....Ebb.....you're really talented! I have pictures of the places i've visited and i still have them in envelopes and boxes. I wish i had the talent, time and initiative to do half of what you do. God has certainly given you a great gift. Thank you for sharing with me.
May you all have a blessed Christmas and a New Year with an abundance of our Lord's blessing. Please tell everyone i said hello and greet them for me.....thank you.....love........Raquel
Thanks Raquel. That's where I come in. You need to hire me as professional artist scrapbook creator. I could help you but w/ a fee. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Very nicely done - looks like you had a great trip.
Very nicely done - looks like you had a great trip.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friend.
I miss you! I am now writing my art book I will send Intro There will be a page or more of your insperational posts I will Email you. Be Cheery LLOYD Bradbury
You and your photos are a wonder. Thank you.
Miss Star took pics of my art on my walls. All 70 of them So many and I live in a small apt. All im PDF for the book I will put 100 in the book I have 15 chapters first draft. But nust go to Va hospital for a nonth. A delay. I will write some pages if they have reader talker computer somewhere.
\
Ur food would taste better tham hospital.
be Cheeery
Artist 2
Post a Comment