Life Moto

The Birth Of Jesus (Luke 2:1-14)

The Birth of Jesus

¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while^[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ 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. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Source http://www.biblegateway.com

To all of my Friends and visitors

Merry Christmas and Have a Blessed New Year!

The Birth of John the Baptist

The Birth of John the Baptist

Dec 23 Gospel Luke 1:57-66

image from wikipedia

57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

61They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

source biblos

Looking Back Our Family Christmas 2000

Looking Back Our Family Christmas 2000

After reminiscing the Our Family Christmas 1999, here another winding moment to my family Christmas 2000. Two months after I left for Saudi Arabia. It was one of my loneliest Christmas. As an OFW (Overseas Foreign Worker) the most painful part is that we are not able to be with our family during this very special occasion.

In the year 2000 internet is very seldom. Most of the internet were dial up. The telephone bill was so expensive. It was 8 Saudi Riyals, compare it now only 1.5 Riyal per minute or 55 halala (cents). The minimum load is 100 Riyals. So I just called my family from a telephone cabin.

Looking Back Our Family Christmas 1999 - MYM

Looking Back Our Family Christmas 1999 - MYM

I miss those moments when we celebrated Christmas together. It was the last Christmas when I first left to Saudi Arabia. My wife and I used to make some Christmas decors. We wanted it to be unique and personalize. I still remembered that our first Christmas tree was made of Coconut stick broom.We designed it with some cotton and glitter papers. We hanged some Christmas balls and angels.

More on Mellow Yellow Monday and Blue Monday

Ibrahim Palace or Qasr Ibrahim (Arabic = قصر إبراهيم) Al Hasa

Ibrahim Palace or Qasr Ibrahim (Arabic = قصر إبراهيم) Al Hasa

Last week while attending one of my call in the Ministry of water In Hofuf, Al Hasa city, I visited Ibrahim palace or Qasr Ibrahim (Arabic = قصر إبراهيم). Which is a block away from my location. I have seen this Palace for many time. When I passing by that street. I was lucky that my colleague left me for 2 hours. So I had chance to have a glance of the old palace. I was amazed of the external structure. The walls were covered with mud that mixed with grass straws. In my curiosity of the inside of the fort, I check it out if it is available for public. The care taker allowed me to view and taking picture. It was my opportunity to take some videos, specially there were no Saudi visitor around.

For a short Historical background: Qasr Ibrahim (Arabic = قصر إبراهيم) is a castle built during Ottoman rule. It is located prominently in Al-Hofuf city. Qasr Ibrahim was built in Al-Hofuf in 963 AH by Ali Ibn Ahmed Ibn Lawand Al-Burayki, the Ottomon Governor of the time. He also built the Al-Qubbah Mosque, still in existence today.

In 1216 AH, the Saudi Governor Ibrahim Ibn 'Ufaysan renovated the castle, and some historians ascribe the castle to him. Covering 16,500 square meters, Qasr Ibrahim combines Islamic and military architecture. The mosque of al-Qubba built inside the fortification wall of the palace, which contains a large single dome and is unique in its construction and style in the Kingdom.