Inland Empire Community Newspapers • December 12, 2013 • Page A5 Words to think about: The many statues of Jesus

COURTESY PHOTO

Cherubim Mountain, Country of Syria

COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY PHOTO By G. W. Abersold Ph.D Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Christ the Redeemer of the Janeiro Andes ecently while reviewing some of my pictures the Redeemer” in Rio de Janeiro, The statue has been struck by from Brazil, I became in - Its impor - Brazil. It is 98 feet tall and has a lightning several times and was 3. Cristo del Otero is in Palen - terested in the world wide statues tance is not based on its height. It pedestal of 26 feet, making it 124 vandalized with spray paint in cia, Spain and was completed in of Jesus. is only 40 feet high. Its impor - R feet. Its arms stretch 92 feet and 2010. 1931. It is 98.5 feet tall. The newest statue of Jesus is a tance is political and religious. weight 635 tons. I have personally visited the 4. Cristo Resocitado is in Tlal - bronze 105 feet statue located in The statue was unveiled on March It is located at the peak of the statue and can affirm its awe - nepantla de Baz, Mexico. It is a small mountain town in the 13, 1904 as a celebration of the Corcovado Mountain, overlook - someness. also 98.5 feet tall and the date of country of Syria. A Muslim coun - peaceful resolution of the border ing the city. The statue was con - “For almost all the giant Jesus completion is unknown. try. It was and is supported by dispute between Argentina and structed between 1922 and 1931. statues ever made, Jesus is given 5. Kristus kase Berkat is in Man - Great Britain and Russia: and also Chile. It was dedicated between 1922 the same pose: standing tall with ado, Indonesia. It is also 98.5 feet King Assad. It was placed high in the Andes and 1931 and was dedicated on arms outstretched-a symbol of tall and was completed in 2007. The project took 8 years; and at 12, 572 feet. The dispute was October 1931 and consecrated peace, protection and blessing.” 6. Cristo Rel is in Almada, Por - then 3 days to raise it. The ques - over the border between the coun - October 12, 2006. On July 7, The honor of being the tallest tugal. It was completed in 1959 tion is often asked, “Why put up tries. The figure faces the border 2007 it was declared one of the Jesus Statue is argued because of and is 92 feet tall. such a statue in turbulent Syria.” with a cross in Jesus’ left hand New Seven Wonders of the some having a crown, and bases. 7. Christ of Vung Tau is in Vong The organizer, Samir al-Ghadban and the right hand extended in World. Counting Rio and Syria, I will list Tau, Vietnam. It was completed in quotes a Christian leader who blessing. The idea behind it was first pro - nine others of the tallest. 1993 and is 92 feet tall. said, “Jesus would have done it.” A plaque is at the base with this posed in the 1850’s by a Catholic 1. Christ the King in 8. Christ the King of Dill is in It is very difficult to believe that inscription (in Spanish) “Sooner priest. The idea died but was re - Swiebadziv, Poland. It is 117.8 Dill, East Timor and was com - the project is a success consider - shall these mountain crags crum - newed by the Catholic Church in feet tall with a 108 foot crown and pleted in 1996. It is 88.6 feet tall. ing the views of King Bashar ble to dust than Chile and Ar - 1921. was completed in 2010. 9. Cristo Rey de Cali is in Cali, Assad, and the Muslim Shiites. gentina shall break this peace The title in Portuguese is 2. Christ of Peace is in Colombia. It was completed in The words of al-Ghadban will which at the feet of Christ the Re - “Christo Redentor” and is a sym - Cochabamba, Bolivia. It is 112 1953 and is 85 feet tall. suffice, “it was and is a miracle.” deemer they have sworn to main - bol of peace. The overall cost in feet with a 22 foot base. It was One other statue of Jesus is wor - The most visible and well- tain.” today’s economy was $250,000. completed in 1994. thy of mention. It is called “Christ known statue of Jesus is “Christ the Redeemer of the Andes. Amen. Selah. So be it. Molina Healthcare to give away free toys for kids

n the spirit of the holiday sea - Santa Claus and some of his elves may incur on these families and son, Molina Healthcare will will be making an appearance. provide children with toys for the be hosting Christmas events According to the Inland Empire holiday season. for kids and their families in the United Way, the Inland Empire has Participants must bring the InIland Empire throughout the the nation’s highest poverty rate Christmas event flyer to receive a month of December. The first 100 with 20.9 percent of San toy and the child must be present. kids in attendance will receive a Bernardino County residents liv - WHEN: Molina Medical FREE TOY and all participants ing below the federal poverty Clinic-Colton, 1181 N. Mt. Ver - FFIINNAALL TTRRIIBBUUTTEE will be able to enjoy FREE re - level. Molina hopes to ease the fi - non Ave., Tuesday December 17 freshments and FREE prizes. nancial burden that the holidays from 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Funeral & Cremation Service DIRECT CREMATION Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown $760.00 COMPLETE Seeks Donations for Toy Drive We have five complete funeral

his Christmas holiday, As - those in need. We want to serve as will have an opportunity to take packages, casket included! semblymember Cheryl R. many children as possible and pictures with Santa Claus and build Brown (D-San Bernardino) we’re calling on the community to their own toy at Santa’s Workshop. They are so Beautiful! will partner with Seeds of Hope, join us to maximize our efforts,” Register by contacting Josue InTc. to provide toys for children in said Assemblymember Brown. Castillo at (909) 381-3238 or the 47th Assembly District. She’s “We want every child to experience emailing 738 S. Waterman Ave. San Bernardino asking individuals to drop off an the joy and excitement of Christ - [email protected]. on corner of Waterman & Central unwrapped toy at the Vanir Tower mas.” Assemblymember Cheryl R. in San Bernardino between now The toys will be distributed at a Brown represents the 47th Assem - and December 21. Christmas celebration on Saturday, bly District, which includes Colton, (909) 234-4476 The Vanir Tower is located at 290 December 21 at Leno’s Rico Taco Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, the North D Street, San Bernardino, in Colton from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 southwest parts of San Bernardino, Suite 903. The office is open be - p.m. The event is free and open to and the unincorporated communi - FD1731 tween 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. the public, but you must register to ties of Bloomington and Muscoy. “As we approach this holiday sea - receive a toy. http://www.asmdc.org/members/a4 son, we want to be a blessing to Additionally, at the event, families 7/