The Last Supper_Leonardo_Da Vinci Credit: commons.wikimedia.org
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
One Day in a Year - Remembering
More than a millennium has passed. Nonetheless, different people of different persuasions of different beliefs still talk about His Glorious Resurrection.
Celebrated globally, Christmas is a time of festivities when people of many denominations come together to rejoice.
COMMEMORATING CHRISTS BIRTH
But, what do we know about Jesus, and what is the true meaning of Christmas?
Who is Jesus, and why is he important?
Jesus - the Jewish messiah who is prophesied in the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament in Christianity), believed to be the Messiah (Christ), the Son of God crucified for humanity's sins before rising from the dead. Through his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection, God offered humans salvation and eternal life. Jesus died to atone for sin to make humanity right with God.
The true meaning of Christmas
Fact or Fiction
Perhaps this is why much controversy surrounds his ‘being.’ Yet, according to many authorities we rely upon, his existence is not under question!
“Jesus (c. 4 BC-AD 30 / 33), also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the central of Christianity, the world's largest religion. Most Christians believe he is the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited Messiah (the Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament.”
Born: c. 4 BC; Kingdom of Judea, Roman Empire
Died: c. AD 30 / 33; (aged 33–36); Jerusalem, Judea, Roman Empire
Cause of death: Crucifixion
Parent(s): Mary; Joseph;
“This is a direct citation” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus
WE KNOW MORE ABOUT JESUS THAN WE KNOW ABOUT MANY ANCIENT HISTORICAL FIGURES
What do we know about Jesus? (Credit: Image © Shutterstock)
“Who Was Jesus
Trying to understand what Jesus was really like is complicated by the fact that the earliest surviving texts that discuss Jesus date to the second century A.D., about 100 years after the life of Jesus — although, presumably they were copied from documents that date to the first century. In 2015, there were claims that a copy of the Gospel of Mark dating to the first century had been found, although it now appears that this copy dates to the second or third century A.D.
Despite many challenges, recent archaeological and historical research has allowed scholars to shed light on several aspects of Jesus' life, such as what he looked like and what life was like in his hometown of Nazareth."
2020
Today more and more evidence is being presented that Jesus lived. It is not strange to read AWE-INSPIRING HEADLINES such as:
“Surprising archaeological finds are breaking new ground in our understanding of Jesus’s time—and the revolution he launched 2,000 years ago.” “ This is a direct citation” Smithsonian Magazine.
“Tests show Jesus Christ’s reported tomb date back to ancient Roman era – The National Geographic reports that limestone samples of the tomb are 1,7000 years old, dating to ancient Roman time.” “This is a direct citation” National Geographic Magazine.
Honouring His Life, Death and Life, amongst the most revered items in the world
THE 13 SACRED RELICS OF JESUS CHRIST
Religious relics are said to be “either portions of, or objects connected with, the body of a saint or other holy person.”
Turin Shroud positive and negative, displaying_original colour_information-708 x464-pixels94_KB Credit en.wikipedia.org (Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Turin, Italy) CC BY-SA 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shroud_of_Turin_001.jpg
Dianelos Georgoudis – Own Work
Created 31 May 2014
The Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin is one of the most studied artifacts in human history and is the best-known relic of Jesus Christ. The Shroud is recorded as the cloth placed on the body and face of Jesus at His burial.
The Holy Grail
The Holy Grail is most often identified as the dish, plate or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper and is said to possess miraculous powers.
The Crown of Thorns
The Crown of Thorns was a wreath of thorns placed on the head of Jesus Christ. The Romans made it to mock Jesus, His title “King of the Jews,” and cause him pain while carrying the cross.
Credit: Pinterest (familychristian.com)
Holy Tunic Of Christ
The Holy Tunic of Christ is preserved at the Cathedral of Trier in Germany and is said to have been worn by Jesus during or shortly before His Crucifixion. The Tunic was woven in one single piece and is also called The Seamless Robe.The Holy Lance
The Holy Lance, also known as the Spear of Destiny, amongst others, is said to have been the lance that pierced Jesus’s side to determine that he was dead as he hung on the cross.The True Cross
The True Cross refers to the actual cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus. There are many fragments of wood today that are considered True Cross relics. This precious relic was chopped into many pieces and dispersed around the world.The Pillar of Scourging
The Pillar to which Jesus was tied to when scourged, preserved in the Basilica of St. Praxedes in Rome.
The True Cross, The Chalice and The Pillar of the Flogging (Scourging). Credit: churchpop.com
Iron Crown of Lombardy
The Iron Crown contains a narrow band of iron, about 1cm, said to be beaten out of one of the nails used at the Crucifixion. Its outer circle is made of beaten gold partly enamelled and holds 22 gemstones. Its small size and hinged construction suggest that it was initially a large armlet or a votive crown.Veil of Veronica
According to legend, The Veil of Veronica was used to wipe the sweat from Jesus’s brow as He carried the cross. A woman named Veronica took pity on Jesus and stepped forward from the crowd to wipe the sweat and blood from His face with her veil. To reward her kindness, Jesus left a life-like imprint of His face on the veil, which is said to have healing powers.Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs)
Scala Sancta is the steps that led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, where Jesus stood on his way to trial. The Holy Stairs consist of 28 marble steps. According to various records, Jesus climbed the steps to Pilate’s palace, the place of his sentence to be crucified.
Credit: wikiwand.com – Mandylion of edessa
The Mandylion
The Mandylion – the image of Edessa – was said to be sent by Jesus to King Abgar V of Edessa.The Sudarium of Oriedo (Shroud of Oriedo)
The Sudarium, or Shroud of Oriedo, is a linen cloth 84cm x 53cm with visible traces of blood, most likely folded in half, before being wrapped around Jesus’s head after His death.Relic of the Holy Blood
The Basilica of the Holy Blood in Belgium houses the Relic of the Holy Blood; a vial said to contain a cloth with blood of Jesus, allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea after he had washed the body of Jesus.Whatever our feelings or beliefs, these relics hold a lot of power, are causes for passion, and so much more.
BELIEVER OR NON BELIEVER
But what I believe is not essential; what matters is Christmas has come to mean much to many of us – a time of hope and joy, let us remember.
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