Gott Nytt År 2016 - Happy New Year!

Nyårshälsning.

"Shalom! Så låter jag den lidande kristna kyrkan fortsätta att tala och vittna. Och de förtryckta folken. För vi är också kallade att avslöja mörkrets ofruktbara gärningar (Ef. 5:11)."







År 2015 var året när mörkret verkade tätna över vår mänsklighet. Våldet, fasorna och den meningslösa ondskan tycktes inte ha några gränser och något slut.

Det är lätt att bli nedslagen eller lamslagen när man känner sig maktlös. Men istället borde vi mera målmedvetet och aktivt sprida ljus, värme och godhet runt omkring oss. Vi tror ju på Gud, Fadern som är Skaparen och HERREN och som har allt under kontroll, trots allt. Bibeln uppmanar oss att "vidga våra hjärtan" (2 Kor. 6:12) och ständigt leva i och av den frid och förlåtelse som bara Fridsfursten Jesus Kristus kan ge. Nåden befriar oss och ger oss ny kraft att varje dag vandra i hans fotspår. Styrkta, med förnyat hopp och mod får vi gå ut till våra medmänniskor och till den värld som blöder, med fridens evangelium.

Shalom! Så låter jag den lidande kristna kyrkan fortsätta att tala och vittna. Och de förtryckta folken. För vi är också kallade att avslöja mörkrets ofruktbara gärningar (Ef. 5:11).



"Von guten Mächten wunderbar geborgen" (Siegfrid Fietz)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN7dGz6NH5M
"Lass warm und hell die Kerzen heute flammen,
Die du in unsre Dunkelheit gebracht.
Führ, wenn es sein kann, wieder uns zusammen.
Wir wissen es, dein Licht scheint in der Nacht.

Von guten Mächten wunderbar geborgen,
Erwarten wir getrost, was kommen mag.
Gott ist bei uns am Abend und am Morgen
Und ganz gewiss an jedem neuen Tag."




Charter 97: Fd, fängslade presidentkandidaten Mikola Statkevich, Belarus: "We'll make our Belarus free and respected:
https://www.charter97.org/en/news/2015/12/30/184990/
"Let the people, who are necessary for you, always be beside you, let happiness, love, tenderness and mercy always reign under your roofs!"



China aid: "Radio Free Asia: Jailed Chinese Nobel Laureate Liu Passes 60th Birthday Behind Bars"
http://www.chinaaid.org/2015/12/radio-free-asia-jailed-chinese-nobel.html
"Jailed veteran Chinese dissident and Nobel peace laureate Liu Xiaobo turned 60 in jail on Monday, amid growing calls for his release from rights activists around the world."



***


The Most Reverend Justin Welby: "To all who have been or are being dehumanised by the tyranny and cruelty of a Herod or an ISIS, a Herod of today, God's judgement comes as good news, because it promises justice."


***

Presidentens nyårstal:
http://www.presidentti.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=339639







(Foto: Lindén-Montes Photography)

Christmas carols

Julsånger. Carols.
Addresses to political prisoners (Happy New Year, freedom) Hebr. 13:3. För att vi skulle "vidga våra hjärtan."

"Beside an open door as I drew nigh,
I heard sweet Mary sing a lullaby.
She sang about the lambs at close of day,
And rocked her tiny King among the hay."






"Little road to Bethlehem"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpwoGC3GFwY&feature=relatede


King's College Choir - Christmas Carols
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HItFqKBAQE



Carols for Christmas Day | Winchester Cathedral | 2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_H4Xu_PbiM


"In the bleak Midwinter": 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjRXIiZ8bs0
"What can I give him, poor as I am? 
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; 
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; 
yet what I can I give him: give my heart." 



"Var hälsad sköna morgonstund" (Ingmar Nordström, intrumental)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd2T31uSs18
Psalm 27 i den finlandssvenska psalmboken:

"Var hälsad sköna morgonstund,
som av profeters helga mun
är oss bebådad vorden!
Unga sjunga med de gamla,
sig församla
jordens böner
kring den störste av dess söner."

Han tårar fälla skall som vi,
förstå vår nöd och stå oss bi
med kraften av sin Anda,
förkunna oss sin Faders råd
och sötman av en evig nåd
i sorgekalken blanda,
strida,
lida
dödens smärta
att vårt hjärta
frid må vinna
och Guds himmel öppen finna.

Han kommer, till vår frälsning sänd,
och nådens sol, av honom tänd,
skall sig ej mera dölja.
Han själv vår herde vara vill,
att vi må höra honom till
och honom efterfölja,
nöjda,
höjda
över tiden,
och i friden
segerrika
en gång bliva honom lika."



Hebr. 13:3 "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body."


Адреса (Kazakhstan) С Новым годом, свобода!

1.Арону Едигееву, Учреждение АП-162/1, ул.Циолковского б/н, г.Павлодар, 140000

2. Владимиру Ивановичу Козлову, Учреждение ЛА-155/14, п.Заречный, Алматинская область, 040805

3. Вадиму Курамшину, Учреждение ЕС-164/4 п.Горный (Жаман Сопка), Есильский район, СКО, 150506

4.Джакишеву Мухтару, Учреждение ЛА-155/8, п.Заречный, Алматинская область, 040805

5.Болатбеку Блялову, г.Астана, шоссе Алаш 30/1, СИ-1

6.Сакену Тулбаеву, г.Павлодар, Учреждение АП-162/3, 140000

7-8.Ермеку Нарымбаеву и Серикжану Мамбеталину, г.Алматы, Учреждение ЛА-155/1, Сейфуллина 473


The Most Reverend Justin Welby: "To all who have been or are being dehumanised by the tyranny and cruelty of a Herod or an ISIS, a Herod of today, God's judgement comes as good news, because it promises justice."

Photos (December 2015) Lindén-Montes Photography

Queen Elisabeth's Christmas message - Hope in "moments of darkness"

God save the queen. Christmas greetings:

"It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services:

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it".

One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 70 years since the end of the Second World War.






On VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in the Far East, as well as remembering the thousands who never returned. ---

For Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of Jesus's birth - in a stable - were far from ideal, but worse was to come as the family was forced to flee the country.

It's no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians, the world over.

Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.

Although it is not an easy message to follow, we shouldn't be discouraged; rather, it inspires us to try harder: to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading that love to others, whenever and wherever we can. ---

There's an old saying that "it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness".

There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today.

Christmas is a good time to be thankful for them, and for all that brings light to our lives."




BBC: Queen's Christmas message: Hope in 'moments of darkness'
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35177022?ocid=socialflow_facebook&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=facebook
"Once again this year the Christmas broadcast confirms the profound importance to the Queen of her Christian faith.

It was in the Christmas broadcast in 2000 that she stated: "For me the teachings of Christ, and my own personal accountability before God, provide a framework in which I try to lead my life."

It's a theme to which she has returned again and again. In 2002, for example, she revealed how: "I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad."

Last year she described how "the life of Jesus Christ" was an "inspiration and an anchor in my life".

This year - in reflecting on the "moments of darkness" endured by the world in 2015 - she turned to the gospel of John. "The light shines in the darkness," she said. And in recalling the plight of people forced to become refugees, she cited what she called "Christ's unchanging message" that we should love one another.

It is the Christmas message of a monarch sustained by faith: a monarch, moreover, who approaches her 90th birthday next April but who is - as she said - determined to remain "busy".



BBC: The full text:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35178485



Queen´s speech 2015 (video 8:46):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1idrV4XExv4

Photos: Kerstin Lindén

PM Benjamin Netanyahu's Christmas greeting from Jerusalem

Julhälsningar. Christmas greetings. From Jerusalem:
"It is my fervent hope, my fervent prayer that 2016 is marked by greater security and freedom for all Christians across the Middle East."

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wishes a very joyous Christmas and a happy new year to Israel's Christian citizens and to Christians throughout the world!"











Stand for Israel: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Gives a Christmas Greeting"
http://www.blog.standforisrael.org/articles/prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-gives-a-christmas-greeting



Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs: PM Netayahu's Christmas greeting (text and video 0:57):
http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/PressRoom/2015/Pages/PM-Netanyahus-Christmas-Greeting-24-December-2015.aspx
"The State of Israel is a beacon of liberty in a Middle East plagued by oppression and extremism. Here everyone can practice their faith, because in Israel, religious freedom is sacred.

It is my fervent hope, my fervent prayer that 2016 is marked by greater security and freedom for all Christians across the Middle East.May the coming year bring the blessings of peace and prosperity for all humanity."

Picture up: KL

"Ljuset lyser i mörkret, och mörkret har inte övervunnit det" - "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it"

Söndag 27.12.2015. Julhälsningar. Sunday. Christmas greetings.
John 1:1-14 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (v.1) בְּרֵאשִׁית

The Most Reverend Justin Welby: "To all who have been or are being dehumanised by the tyranny and cruelty of a Herod or an ISIS, a Herod of today, God's judgement comes as good news, because it promises justice."

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis: "It has been reported that persecution of Christians persists in over a hundred countries, more than for any other religion."



Skynews: "Welby: Christians Face Middle East Elimination" (Full text and more greetings)
http://news.sky.com/story/1612009/welby-christians-face-middle-east-elimination

"Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis: "Faith communities have a responsibility to stand together to oppose discrimination and attacks on freedom of religious expression wherever they are to be found.

"Most recently, the shocking ban on public celebrations of Christmas in Brunei is reflective of an intolerance that as Jews, we simply cannot countenance."



***



John 1:1-14 (ESV)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1-14&version=ESV


"Dagen är kommen"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LgOc0_Gv1g

"Adeste fideles":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nD5mxkOxMk

"I begynnelsen var Ordet, och Ordet var hos Gud, och Ordet var Gud. Han var i begynnelsen hos Gud. Genom honom har allt blivit till, och utan honom har inget blivit till, som är till. I honom var liv, och livet var människornas ljus. Och ljuset lyser i mörkret, och mörket har inte övervunnit det. En man trädde fram, sänd av Gud. Hans namn var Johannes. Han kom som ett vittne för att vittna om ljuset, för att alla skulle komma till tro genom honom. Själv var han inte ljuset, man han kom för att vittna om ljuset. Det sanna ljuset, som ger ljus åt alla människor, skulle nu komma till världen. Han var i världen och världen hade blivit till genom honom, och världen kände honom inte. Han kom till sitt eget, och hans egna tog inte emot honom. Men åt alla dem som tog emot honom gav han rätt att bli Guds barn, åt dem som tror på hans namn. De är inte födda av blod eller av köttets vilja eller av någon mans vilja utan av Gud. Och Ordet blev kött och bodde bland oss, och vi såg hans härlighet, en härlighet som den Enfödde har av Fadern, och han var full av nåd och sanning. " Joh. 1:1-14





Photo up: KL (the star is from Jerusalem)

PM David Cameron: "Britain's Christianity is key to its success"

Julhälsningar.
Annandag jul (Stefanidagen) Stephani Protomartyris. Ps. 119: 41-48, Ps. 116:15, Matt. 10:16-22

"In his most religious message to date, he said: That is what we mark today as we celebrate the birth of God's only son, Jesus Christ - the Prince of Peace.

As a Christian country, we must remember what his birth represents: peace, mercy, goodwill and, above all, hope.

"I believe that we should also reflect on the fact that it is because of these important religious roots and Christian values that Britain has been such a successful home to people of all faiths and none."




Skynews: "PM's Christmas Message: Britain Is Christian" (Full text):
http://news.sky.com/story/1611538/pms-christmas-message-britain-is-christian
Speaking about refugees he said: "... Millions of families are spending this winter in refugee camps or makeshift shelters across Syria and the Middle East, driven from their homes by Daesh and Assad.

"Christians from Africa to Asia will go to church on Christmas morning full of joy, but many in fear of persecution. --- Mr Cameron also made reference to the homeless and the ill. - --

Criticized: The National Secular Society campaigns manager Stephen Evans said: "David Cameron needs to appreciate that he isn't a leader of Christians, he's the Prime Minister of a diverse, multi-faith, and increasingly non-religious nation."






Verkkouutiset: "Britannian pääministeri pitää maansa kristillisyyttä avaimena sen menestykseen"
http://www.verkkouutiset.fi/ulkomaat/Cameron_joulu-44745
- Britannia on kristillinen maa, sanoo pääministeri David Cameron:

"Kristillisenä maana meidän tulee muistaa, mitä hänen (Jeesuksen) syntymänsä edustaa: rauhaa, armoa, hyvää tahtoa ja kaikkea muuta tärkeämpänä, toivoa", pääministeri David Cameron sanoo joulutervehdyksessään.

"Uskoakseni meidän tulisi myös pohtia sitä tosiasiaa, että näiden tärkeiden uskonnollisten juurien ja kristillisten arvojen vuoksi Britannia on ollut niin onnistunut kotimaa kaikkien uskontojen edustajille ja uskonnottomille. --- Tervehdyksen kristillisen sanoman korostamisesta pääministeriä on kritisoinut muun muassa National Secular Society todeten hänen olevan johtaja eikä "kristittyjen johtaja".





!!!

Huffingtonpost: David Cameron's 'Christian' Christmas message attacked for 'Unstatesmanlike' theological language"
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12/23/david-camerons-christian-christmas-message_n_8871980.html


***


Matt. 10:16-22 (ESV)

Persecution Will Come

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.  For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."


Psalm 119:41-48 (ESV):

"Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes."




Ps. 116:15 (ESV)

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

Den kristna tron benämns som en judisk-kristen tro eftersom den har judiska rötter och många gemensamma värderingar.


Foton: KL

Glory to God in the highest!

Adeste Fideles.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14 (KJV)

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38 (ESV)

"Oh come all ye faithful. Joyful and triumphant, Oh, come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem. --- Born this happy morning. Jesus to Thee be glory given. Word of the Father Now in flesh appearing. Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord"

O, COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

"Oh come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
Oh, come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels

Oh come let us adore Him
Oh come let us adore Him
Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord

Sing choirs of Angels
Sing in exultation
Sing all ye citizens of Heaven above

Glory to God
In the highest

Oh come let us adore Him
Oh come let us adore Him
Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord

Yeah, Lord we greet thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be glory given

Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing

Oh come let us adore Him
Oh come let us adore Him
Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord"



"O, come all ye faithful" (King's College Cambridge):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLIdT8DFI0


"O, come all ye faithful" (lyrics):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8dgI4-bVPU


"O, come all ye faithful" (Anne Murray):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB1sBm9xdpg

Foton: KL