A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FOR CHILDREN
JESUS
IS BORN!! Dear Children, In a few days we shall celebrate Christmas, the holy day which is so full of meaning for all children in every family. Christmas is the feastday of a Child, of a newborn Baby. So it is your feast day too! At Christmas time, the stable and the manger take centre place in the Church; and everyone hurries to go there, to make a spiritual pilgrimage, like the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth. Later, it will be the Magi arriving from the distant East, following the star, to the place where the Redeemer of the universe lay.
You too, during the days of Christmas, visit the cribs, stopping to look at the Child lying in the hay. You look at His mother and you look at St. Joseph, the Redeemer’s guardian. As you look at the Holy Family, you think of your own family, the family in which you came into the world. You think of your mother, who gave you birth, and of your father.
People who are destined to go to heaven are simple like children (Mat. 18:3), and like children are full of trust, rich in goodness and pure. Only people of this sort can find in God a Father and, thanks to Jesus, can become in their own turn children of God.
Is not this the main message of Christmas? We read in St. John: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn. 1:14); and again: “To all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God” (Jn. 1:12).
Children of God! You, dear children, are sons and daughters of your parents. God wants us all to become His adopted children by grace. Here we have the real reason for Christmas joy. Be happy in this “Gospel of divine sonship”. In this joy I hope that the coming Christmas holidays will bear abundant fruit in this Year.
The highly favoured Son of God becomes present among us as a newborn Baby; gathered around Him, the children of every nation on earth feel His eyes upon them, eyes full of the heavenly Father’s love, and they rejoice because God loves them.
People cannot live without love. They are called to love God and their neighbour, but in order to love properly they must be certain that God loves them. God loves you! This is what I want to tell you on the occasion of these Christmas feast days.
I hope that they will be joyful and peaceful for you; I hope that during them you will have a more intense experience of the love of your parents, of your brothers and sisters, and of the other members of your family.
This love must then spread to your whole community, even to the whole world, precisely through you, dear children. Love will then be able to reach those who are most in need of it, especially the suffering and the abandoned.
What joy is greater than the joy brought by love? What joy is greater than the joy which you, O Jesus, bring at Christmas to people’s hearts, and especially to the hearts of children?
-"Raise your tiny hand, Divine Child, and bless these young friends of yours, bless the children of all the earth"
- John-Paul P.P. II
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER :
Loving Father, help us remember the birth
of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of
the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every
gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the
blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas
evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS..!
All the Evangelists, when they describe
the risen Christ’s meeting with his apostles, conclude with the
“missionary mandate”: "All authority in heaven and
on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age"(Mt
28:18-20).
Certain of the unfailing help of Jesus himself
and the presence and power of his Spirit, the Apostles set out immediately
after Pentecost to fulfill this command: “they went forth and preached
everywhere, while the Lord worked with them” (Mk 16:20). What
they announced can be summed up in the words of Saint Paul: “For
what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves
as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor 4:5). Blessed
with the gift of faith, the Church, after two thousand years, continues
to go out to meet the peoples of the world in order to share with them
the Good News of Jesus Christ. She is a community aflame with missionary
zeal to make Jesus known, loved and followed.
There
can be no true evangelization without the explicit proclamation of Jesus
as Lord. Proclamation is the permanent priority of mission. The Church
cannot elude Christ’s explicit mandate, nor deprive men and women
of the “Good News” about their being loved and saved by God.
The family of JEEVAN DHAM realizing the need for proclamation after having
several revelations, started their missionary work outdoors for the past
two months. They have been to several places within and outside the state
of Haryana.
It started with Laxmi Nagar parish, New Delhi at the end of September
where Rev. Fr.Thomas Chambakatt, the Parish priest of St.Matthew’s
Church invited them to keep a day of prayer and recollection for his parishioners
and other non-christians. The healing prayer service was a manifestation
of God’s intervention with so many people responding and giving
their witness to the healings they had experienced.
The next venue was the Major Seminary at Etmadpur, Agra on October 12,
where Rev. Fr.Francis Kallist, the Rector, invited them to keep a day
of prayer and recollection to kindle the missionary work and rejuvenate
the spirit of the 138 students studying for priesthood. The faith experiences
and the testimonies and the miracles happening at Jeevan Dham, Faridabad
reinforced their steadfast faith and love for each other. Accompanying
the family this time was Fr.Anthony Francis, Archbishop’s Secretary,
who concluded the prayer session with the Holy Mass, summing up whatever
they had been listening to during the day in his homily.
Turning towards north-west, the family was invited by Rev. Fr.Jacob Poruthur
(CST) at Fazilka, Ferozepur, Punjab for a two-day retreat (October 26
and 27) for the community of believers. The prayer session was held in
the Church about 10kms. away from India-Pakistan Border for the first
day till 9:00p.m. The morning participants were the school children of
the adjoining Sacred Heart Convent School. The gift of clear eyesight
given to so many children who were wearing specs during the healing session
was a clear manifestation of God’s grace. In the afternoon, people
gathered from the near and far away villages to listen to the Word of
God. The next day, the family took out time to go with a few teachers,
Rev.Fr.Jacob and Sr.Rosebell (Principal) and pray at the Indo-Pak Border
for the BSF jawans, for peace between the nations and in the Border area.
On November 6, the family went to Nishkalank Mata School, Jaith (a village
near Mathura). Apart from the villagers and school students were people
from nearby villages of Mathura and Agra including few Fathers and Sisters.
At St.Francis Sr.Secondary School, Hathras, U.P. (November 15), the organizers
and hosts were Rev.Fr.Jose Maliekal (school Principal) and Fr.Thomas who
had also arranged table fellowship for all participants. The gathering
consisted of both the religious and the laity hailing from Aligarh, Mathura,
Agra, Bharatpur and Bulandshahr. Almost 80 percent of them were touched
by the healing hand of Jesus.
The trip to Bijnor (November 22) also showed remarkable signs of God’s
presence. The venue was a convent school ground at Mandavli, a village
in Bijnor. Fr.Matthew John, who had earlier attended the Sunday prayer
service here at St.Anthony’s Convent School ground, Faridabad, invited
the family to initiate such kind of prayer sessions in future and to inspire
and stimulate the religious in their missionary work. Press reporters
from the local newspapers took note of the prayer session including the
proclamation of the Word and healing service.
Many Fathers plan to invite the family to hold such prayer sessions in
their parishes for the non-christians so that the missionary mandate of
spreading the Word of God, ‘the Good News’ spreads faster
and more and more people join the community of believers and experience
the true joy, peace and love of the one Almighty, Loving God. Time and
again God has been revealing this truth to the Jeevan Dham team (consisting
of about 50 volunteers) through the Word and through visions that, "The
time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe
in the good news."(Mark 1:15) and that
"The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask
the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest" (Luke
10:2)
And indeed this is true. The number of those
awaiting Christ is still huge: the human and cultural groups not yet reached
by the Gospel, or for whom the Church is scarcely present, are so widespread
as to require the uniting of all the Church’s resources. We must
increase our apostolic zeal and pass on to others the light and joy of
the faith, and to this high ideal the whole People of God must be educated.
We cannot be content when we consider the millions
of our brothers sisters who, like us have been redeemed by the blood of
Christ, but who live in ignorance of the love of God. For each believer,
as for the entire Church, the missionary task must remain foremost, for
it concerns the eternal destiny of humanity and corresponds to God’s
mysterious and merciful plan. It is high time for each one of us to put
our steps forward and go out to PREACH THE TRUE GOSPEL of the TRUE,
LIVING GOD!
X.THE BIRTH AND INFANCY OF JESUS
The Gospel of Matthew starts with the genealogy of Jesus to show mainly how Jesus was a descendant of Abraham, the father of all Jews, and a direct descendant of David, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s line. The first two chapters deal with the birth and infancy of Jesus. Now, you have to answer the following questions by selecting the correct answer from the given options.
| 1. How many generations in total have been listed by
Matthew from David to Jesus? a)42 b)41 c)14 d)28 2. How many times did the angel of the Lord
appear to Joseph as recorded by Matthew? 3. Where did Joseph stay with his family until Herod died? 4. Regarding the birth and infancy of Jesus, how many OT prophecies
have been quoted by Matthew? 5. Why did the wise men take a different route while returning
to their country? 6. Both Mary and Joseph were a descendant of _____? 7)The centre of Jewish worship was in _____? |
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| Answers to Last month’s Quiz IX.TEACHINGS OF JESUS Passages arranged in order: 3) Anger - Mt.5:21-26, OT teaching - ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.’ 2) Adultery - Mt.5:27-30, OT teaching - ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 6) Divorce -Mt.5:31-32, OT teaching - whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 5) Oaths - Mt.5:33-37, OT teaching - ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ 4) Retaliation - Mt.5:38-42, OT teaching - ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 1) Love for enemies - Mt.5:43-48, OT teaching - ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ |
Send Your Answers to: Rules to be followed: Thanks for taking the Quiz! Good Luck! |
A) GOD'S WORD HEALS SEVERE JAUNDICE!
Praise be to Jesus! Thanks be to Jesus!
I, Laxmi Devi (age- 23 years), had almost
lost my son Mohit 4 months back due to jaundice. The village doctor (Patahi,
Distt-Motihari, Bihar) had prescribed few medicines. After a few days,
when I found that the medicine was ineffective, I took Mohit to other
doctors in the district. But not a single treatment gave him a bit of
relief. His health was deteriorating day by day. I changed 4-5 doctors
but Mohit became restless and desperate. He started calling out the names
of eatables and pleaded me to give him all those things immediately as
if he were dying of hunger. His condition was unbearable and pitiful and
I was totally helpless with no solution.
When my husband, Santosh (age-25 years), came to know about this, he called
me here to Faridabad where he was working so that Mohit may get a better
treatment and care. We took Mohit to Escorts Hospital and within a week
spent over Rs.20000, the same amount that I had already spent back in
my village. Then the doctors referred him to AIIMS, New Delhi. The doctors
at AIIMS tried their best and warned me not to give him more than what
was necessary or his stomach would burst open. All these days, neither
did he sleep during the night nor could I sleep because of his cries.
The doctors at AIIMS referred him to Safdarjung, which further referred
him to Kalavati Hospital. We lost all hopes and did not go to Kalavati,
but came back home in despair.
Few days later, a lady in our neighbourhood told me about a miraculous
place called Jeevan Dham. She brought me here the next Sunday and to Sector-22,
Jeevan 
Dham
Church for the morning prayer service on weekdays. But there I had to
sit outside since Mohit was always impatient and never kept silent due
to his great hunger. We started praying at home and gave Mohit the water
blessed from Jeevan Dham. Our fervent prayers were answered very soon.
He started recovering after the third week and gradually his appetite
became regular, his inflated stomach came back to normal and he slept
peacefully. Thanks a million to Almighty, merciful God who saved my only
Son and pulled him out of the jaws of death.
Laxmi Devi, Motihari, Bihar
"For neither herb nor poultice cured them, but it was
your word, O Lord, that heals all people."(Wisdom 16:12)
EDITORIAL
Jesus, Our Light and Life:
When Jesus came to a world that was in bondage to darkness and dead in
its sin, He came as light (John 8:12) and life (John 11:25).
The Gospel of John begins with this description of Jesus, “He was in
the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without
him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was
life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.(John 1:2-5) His
light dispelled sins, and darkness wherever He went, for the forces of
evil could not withstand Him. The life He brought was abundant and free,
available to all who were dead in their sin (Eph. 2:1; John 10:10).
If you are a Christian, Jesus lives in you, and His light is within you.
Christians are called to dispel darkness (Eph 5:11). The light
of Christ ought to shine so brightly through you that those practicing
darkness are uncomfortable when they are around you. The light within
you should dispel darkness from the lives of your friends, co-workers,
and family members because Jesus has made it clear undoubtedly for His
believers, “You are the light of the world...let your light shine before
others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father
in heaven.(Matthew 5:14-16).
The fullness of life found in Christ dwells within
you as a Christian (Col.1:27). The life that Jesus offers is available
to others through you. Don’t discount what you have to give to those
who are hurting. Christ’s life within you is more than sufficient to
meet every human need. When people encounter you, they encounter Christ
within you. You do not know all the answers, but you have someone within
you who does! You will not carry the burden of the needs of others. Christ
will. Be aware that just as many resisted Jesus, so there will be those
who resist the truth that you offer (John 1:11). Be thankful, however,
that God chooses to express Himself through you, giving light and life
to those around you.
Let us be the shining light this Christmas for
those who are in darkness so that they may experience the warmth, light
and joy of the presence of Jesus from you. Let us become the shining star
of Christmas for all who have gone astray so that we may lead them on
the right path to Jesus.
Warmest Christmas wishes to all readers of Divya-Jyoti!
GOD BLESS YOU!
For articles, witnesses, prayers & suggestions, write to :
THE EDITOR, Jeevan Dham, 696/Sec-22,Faridabad-121005, Haryana.
E-mail us your petitions to: justcallanthony@yahoo.com |
IMPORTANT TIMINGS DAILY MORNING PRAYER :  On
Weekdays from 9:00a.m. to 11:00p.m. 24-HOUR Adoration is going on
everyday ROUND-THE-CLOCK for over the last 1 year. You too can join
us in prayer anytime. HOLY MASS : On Fridays: morning 10:00 a.m. On Sundays: evening 6:30 p.m. |
WELCOME TO JEEVAN DHAM Are you … worried & burdened? Are you … depressed? Are you … sick or weak? Do you … feel the absence of peace & love in your life? Are you … grappling with a lot of problems in your life? Then visit this place chosen by God & see for yourselves all the incredible miracles happening here.This place is ‘JEEVAN DHAM’. Believe in God and attend the prayer session held every Sunday at St.Anthony’s School (ground), Sec-9, Faridabad from morning 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. organized with the grace of Almighty God by ‘Jeevan Dham’- H.no.696/ Sec-22, Faridabad. Obtain invaluable graces & heavenly blessings & witness the miraculous healings performed by Him. |
| WELCOME TO
JEEVAN DHAM! Scriptural references in DIVYA JYOTI are from the New Revised Standard Version (© Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers)1989 |
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| Edited
and Published by Anthony. JEEVANDHAM, 696/22. Faridabad -121005,
Haryana, INDIA Ph: 91-0129-2231126, 9350128560 |
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