اﻟﺬھـﺐ واﻟﺒﺨّـﻮر واﻟﻤﺮّ Gold, incense and the myrrh

وﻟِﺪ اﻟﻤُﺨﻠّﺺ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻐﺎرة وﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺰود ، ﻟﻢ ﯾﻮﻟﺪ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺴﺘﺸﻔﯿﺎت -The Savior was born in a stable that sheltered ani mals and not in a five Star hospital. There was no اﻟﺨﻤﺲ ﻧﺠﻮم ، وﻟﻢ ﯾُﺤﺠَﺰ ﻟﮫ suite، وﻟﻢ ﯾﺄﺗﻲ ﻟﺨﺪﻣﺘﮫ أﻃﺒﺎء suite reserved for him or a crib. He was laid in a man- وﻣﻤﺮﺿﺎت وﻟﻢ ﺗﻘﺪّم ﻟﮫ اﻟﺰھﻮر وﺑﺎﻗﺎت اﻟﻮرد ، وﻟﻢ ﺗُﺼﻨﻊ ﻟﮫ ger. Neither doctors nor nurses took care of him. No- اﻟﻤﻐﻠﻲ ﺑﺎﻟﺠﻮز واﻟﻠﻮز ، وﻟﻢ ﯾُﮭﻲء ﻟﮫ ﺟﮭﺎز ﻃﻔﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺤﻼّت -body bought his baby clothes from Macy’s and no Macy’s ، ﻓﻜﺎن زوّاره رﻋﯿﺎن وﺧﺮاف وﺛﻼﺛﺔ ﻣﻠﻮك ﻣﻦ ﺑﻼد body gave him flowers or roses. They did not offer اﻟﻤﺸﺮق : Meghli” with walnuts and almonds. His only visitors“ were sheep and the three kings of the Orient. اﻷوّل : ﯾُﺪﻋﻰ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ ﯾﻮر اﻟﺬي ﻗﺪّم ﻟﮫ ذھﺒﺎً رﻣﺰاً ﻟﻠﻔﻀﯿﻠﺔ ﻛﻮﻧﮫ

ﻣﻠﻚ اﻟﻤﻠﻮك . The first king was King “Yor” who gave him gold اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻲ: ﯾُﺪﻋﻰ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ ﻏﺎﺳﺒﺎر اﻟﺬي ﻗﺪّم ﻟﮫ اﻟﺒﺨّﻮر رﻣﺰاً ﻟﻠﺼﻼة . .symbol of virtue being the King of Kings The Second king was King “Gaspar”, who gave him اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺚ: ﯾُﺪﻋﻰ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ ﺑﻠﺘﺎزار اﻟﺬي ﻗﺪّم ﻟﮫ اﻟﻤﺮّ رﻣﺰاً ﻟﻠﻤُﻌﺎﻧﺎة .the incense symbolic of prayer واﻵﻻم . The third king was King “Balthazar”, who gave him bitter symbol of suffering and pain. ﺛﻼﺛﺔ ﻣﻠﻮك ﺳﺠﺪوا ﻟﻠﻄﻔﻞ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ . .Three Kings worshiped the baby King We in the Middle East after the 2012 calendar year وﻧﺤﻦ ﻓﻲ ھﺬا اﻟﺸﺮق وﺑﻌﺪ 2012 ﺳﻨﺔ ﻣﯿﻼدﯾّﺎً ، ﻻ أﺣﺪ ﻗﺪّم ﻟﻨﺎ nobody gave us gold or incense. did not see اﻟﺬھﺐ ، وﻻ دَوﻟﺔ ﻗﺪّﻣﺖ ﻟﻨﺎ اﻟﺒﺨّﻮر . ﻓﻠﺒﻨﺎن ﻟﻢ ﯾُﺸﺎھﺪ أو ﯾﺴﻤﻊ or hear the gold sounds, neither , Palestine or اﻟﺮﻧﯿﻦ اﻟﺬھﺒﻲ ، وﻻ ﺳﻮرﯾﺎ وﻻ ﻓﻠﺴﻄﯿﻦ وﻻ اﻟﻌﺮاق ﺷﺎھﺪوا Iraq saw the incense. All what we have seen in the اﻟﺒﺨّﻮر .. ﻟﻢ ﻧﺸﺎھﺪ وﻟﻢ ﻧﺘﺬوّق ﻓﻲ ھﺬا اﻟﺸَﺮق إﻻ اﻟﻤﺮّ .. وأﻏﻨﯿﺔ Middle East is the bitter and heard the song “ Marmar ﻣﺮﻣَﺮ زﻣﺎﻧﻲ . .“ Zamani

21 Lebanon Times Tel713 : Fine Mediterranean Pastries 9333 Harwin Dr. Tel Harwin 9333 Ste 77036 TX A 713 : Houston, ROYAL - 780 - 3330Hillcroft AveC.Houston Suite ,TX 77057 2041/ 713 Fax : ﺑﺄﺳﻌﺎرﻣﺪروﺳﺔ ﺣﺮاﻣﺎت ﺗﺸﻜﯿﻠﺔ أﻛﺒﺮ ﺗﺸﻜﯿﻠﺔ ﺣﺮاﻣﺎت ﺑﺄﺳﻌﺎر ﻣﺪروﺳﺔ اﻟﺤﺮاﻣﺎت واﻟﺸﺮاﺷﻒ واﻟﺒﺮادي

National Shipping National Available HOME HOME www.RHFHOUSTON.com - 780 - 2042 / 2042/ Web www.asweetfactory.com: -

972

Fashion - 9500 Fax : 713 : Fax 9500

- 972 -

9600

ھﯿــﺮودوس اﻷﻟﻔﯿّﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺜـﺔ Herod of the third Millennium When King Herod learned that the King of Kings was born in Bethlehem, he ordered the murder of ... وﻗﺒﻞ 2012 ﺳﻨﺔ ﻣﯿﻼدﯾﺎً the children of Bethlehem because of his fear of ارﺗﻌﺐ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ ھﯿﺮودوس ﻋﻨﺪﻣﺎ ﻋﻠِﻢَ ﺑﺄنّ ﻣﻠﻚ اﻟﻤﻠﻮك ﻗﺪ وُﻟِﺪَ ﻓﻲ ﺑَﯿﺖ .the child King ﻟﺤﻢ . وﺣﻔﺎﻇﺎً ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻤﻠﻜﺘﮫ وﺧﻮﻓﮫ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻄﻔﻞ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ ، أﻣﺮ ﺑﻘﺘﻞ أﻃﻔﺎل The Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and ﺑَﯿﺖ ﻟﺤﻢ . said to him : “take the boy and his mother to ﻓﻈﮭﺮ ﻣﻼك اﻟﺮّب ﻋﻠﻰ ﯾﻮﺳﻒ اﻟﻨﺠّﺎر ﻗﺎﺋﻼً : because King Herod wants him dead”, and that’s ﻗﻢ ﺧﺬ اﻟﺼَﺒﻲ وأﻣّﮫ إﻟﻰ ﻣﺼﺮ ﻷنّ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ ھﯿﺮودوس ﯾﺮﯾﺪ ھﻼﻛﮫ ، …what happened وھﺬا ﻣﺎ ﺣﺼﻞ . ... واﻟﯿﻮم ﺑﻌﺪ 2012 ﺳﻨﺔ ﻣﯿﻼدﯾّﺎً .… Today after 2012 calendar year What do you think about the Herod’s of today, and ﻣﺎ رأﯾﻜﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﮭﯿﺮودوﺳﯿﯿﻦ ، وﻛﻢ ھﯿﺮودوس ﻣﻮﺟﻮد ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ ، ﻓﺎﻟﻤﻠﻚ how many Herod exists in the world? King Herod ھﯿﺮودوس ﻗﺘﻞ اﻷﻃﻔﺎل ﻓﻘﻂ أﻣﺎ اﻟﯿﻮم ﻓﮭﻨﺎك ﻣﻦ ھﻢ أﺷﺮس ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ killed children only. Today there are the worse ھﯿﺮودوس ، ﻓﮭﻢ ﯾﻘﺘﻠﻮن اﻷﻃﻔﺎل واﻟﺸﯿﻮخ واﻟﻨﺴﺎء واﻷوﻻد واﻟﻔﺘﯿﺎن ,than King Herod; they kill children, the elderly واﻟﻔﺘﯿﺎت ، وﯾﺪﻣّﺮون اﻟﻤﻨﺎزل ﻋﻠﻰ رؤوس ﺳﻜﺎﻧﮭﺎ ، ودور اﻟﻌﺒﺎدة women, men. Destroy houses on the heads of ﻋﻠﻰ رؤوس اﻟﻤُﺼﻠّﯿﻦ . their inhabitants and places of worship on the ﻣﺎ أرﺣﻤﻚ ﯾﺎ ھﯿﺮودوس اﻟﺬي ﻗﺘﻞ أﻃﻔﺎل ﺑَﯿﺖ ﻟﺤﻢ أﻣﺎم ھﯿﺮودوﺳﯿﯿﻦ ”heads of worshippers. How merciful you “Herod ھﺬه اﻷﯾﺎم . -who killed the children of Bethlehem only to com ... ودَﻣﻌﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺴَﻄﺮ . .pare with the Herod’s of today

23 Lebanon Times

Lebanon Times Design

ﺴﻭﺒﺭﻤﺎﺭﻜﺕ ﻭﻤﺤﻤﺼﺔ ﻭﺒﻥ ﺍﻟﻨﻤﺭ 3511 Hillcroft St Houston, TX 77057 TEL : 713-782-1786 ...وأﺧﯿﺮاً وﺻﻞ اﻟﺼﯿﺎد اﻟﻰ ھﯿﻮﺳﺘﻦ

ﺳﻤﻚ ﻣﻘﻠﻲ وﻣﺸﻮي ﻣﺸﺎوي ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻄﺐ

ﺑﻌﺪ ﻧﺠﺎح ﻣﻨﻘﻄﻊ اﻟﻨﻈﯿﺮ ﻓﻲ ﻧﯿﻮ ﺟﺮﺳﻲ ﺷﯿﻜﺎﻏﻮ وﻣﯿﺎﻣﻲ وﯾﺮﻣﻲ ﺷﺒﻜﺘﮫ ﻓﻲ Westheimer # H . Houston, TX 77077 12225 ﻷول ﻣﺮة إﺧﺘﺎر اﻟﺴﻤﻚ ﺑﻨﻔﺴﻚ واﻟﺼﯿﺎد ﯾﻌﺪه ﻟﻚ ﻗﺮب ﺳﻨﺘﺮ ﻓﯿﻨﯿﺴﯿﺎ We cater for All Occasion Tel : 281 293 9090 ﻣﻨﺪي ﻟﺤﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺤﻄﺐ www.sayadgrill.com ﻛﻨﺎﻓﺔ ﻧﺎﺑﻠﺴﯿﺔ وﻋﺎدَ إﻟﻰ وﻃﻨﮫ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻣﻮت ھﯿﺮودوس وإﺳﺘﻼم إﺑﻨﮫ اﻟﺴﻠﻄﺔ ، ﻇﮭﺮ ﻣﻼك اﻟﺮّب ﺛﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﯾﻮﺳﻒ اﻟﻨﺠّﺎر ﻗﺎﺋﻼً : ارﺟﻊ، اﺗﺮك ﻣﺼﺮ وﻋﺪ إﻟﻰ أوراﺷﻠﯿﻢ . وﻋﺎدَ اﻟﻄﻔﻞ ﯾﺴﻮع ﻣﻊ ﯾﻮﺳﻒ اﻟﻨﺠّﺎر وأﻣّﮫ ﻣﺮﯾﻢ إﻟﻰ اﻟﻨﺎﺻﺮة ، إﻟﻰ وﻃﻨﮫ ، إﻟﻰ ﺟﺬوره ﺑﻌﺪ أرﺑﻊ ﺳَﻨﻮات . وﻧﺤﻦ ﻛﻤُﻐﺘﺮﺑﯿﻦ ﻧﺘﺴﺎءل : ﻣﺘﻰ ﻧﻌﻮد إﻟﻰ أوﻃﺎﻧﻨﺎ ، وﻣﺘﻰ ﯾُﺴﻤﺢ ﻟﻨﺎ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻮدة وإذا ﻋﺪﻧﺎ ھﻞ ﻧﺨﻄﻒ؟ ھﻞ ﻧُﺴﺠَﻦ؟ ھﻞْ ﻧُﻀﺮب ؟ ھﻞ ﻧُﻘﺘﻞ؟ ھﻞ ﯾَﺼﺪر ﺑﺤﻘّﻨﺎ ﻣُﺬﻛﺮات ﺗﻮﻗﯿﻒ إﻟﺘﺒﺎﺳﺎً ﺑﺎﻹﺳﻢ أم ﻧﻌﻮد ﻟﻨﺼﻠﺐ وﻧُﺘﮭﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻤﺎﻟﺔ ﻻﻧﻨﺎ ﺷﺘﻤﻨﺎ ﻓﻼن ، أو ﺿﺪّ رأي ھﺬا اﻟﺰَﻋﯿﻢ أو ﺿﺪّ ﺗﺼﺮّﻓﺎت ھﺬا اﻟﺤﺰب أو ھﺬا اﻟﺘﯿّﺎر . ﻣﺘﻰ ﺳَﻨﻌﻮد إﻟﻰ وﻃﻨﻨﺎ إﻟﻰ ﺣﯿﺚ أﺑﺼﺮﻧﺎ اﻟﻨﻮر إﻟﻰ اﻷرض اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﺤﻤﻞ رﻓﺎة اﻟﻮاﻟﺪَﯾﻦ واﻷﺷﻘّﺎء ؟ أم ﺳَﻨﺒﻘﻰ ﺗﺎﺋﮭﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻜﺮة اﻷرﺿﯿّﺔ ﻏﺮﺑﺎء ﻓﻲ وﻃﻦ ﻏﺮﯾﺐ ، وﻏﺮﺑﺎء ﻓﻲ وﻃﻨﻨﺎ وﻏﯿﺮ ﻣُﺮﺣّﺐ ﺑﻨﺎ؟ ﻣﺘﻰ ﻧﻌﻮد إﻟﻰ أوﻃﺎﻧﻨﺎ ... أم ﺳﻨﺒﻘﻰ ﻧﻨﺘﻈﺮ ﻣﻮت ھﯿﺮودوس ﻟﻠﻌﻮدة..؟؟!!

Upon the death of king Herod, his son took power. The Angel of the Lord appeared once again on Joseph Saying “leave Egypt and go back to ”.

Joseph and Mary returned with the child Jesus after 4 years to their homeland, to their roots “The ”.

We as immigrants, wonder when we will go back to our home country. If we do so, are we going to be kidnapped, go to jail, beaten, or be killed for no reason? Are we going to be accused of treason because we cursed some- body or are against the opinion of one of the leaders, or against a political party?

When!!! When we will go back to our home, to our roots where our parents and siblings are buried. Or are we going to stay lost in this globe, and will remain strangers.

When shall we return to our homeland…

Or should we have to wait for the death of Herod!!! 25 Lebanon Times  HOME 10 Minute Quotes  AUTO Represent over 100  BUSINESS INSURANCE  LIFE Insurance  HEALTH Companies

Providing the lowest business insurance rates for over 10 years Call Us Today for a Free Quote!!!! Houston. Clear Lake. Austin. Woodlands Address : 1111 N Loop W Ste 730 Houston, TX 77008 Phone 281-569-4353 Website www.insuretxonline.com Email [email protected]

MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN 12116 Westheimer Rd .Houston Tx . 77077 Tel :281-496-0036 Fax : 281-496-0166 ﺑﺈدارة ﺟﻮرج وﺟﯿﻨﻲ

Chiken / Beef Shawarma We cater for all occasions, Chiken / Beef / Lamb Shish Kabobs (tika) we special's in Qozi (Whole Lamb), Lamb Shanks, Kabob koobideh Hummus / Baba Ghanough (Chicken/Beef) and much more, please Smoothies / Tapioca Fresh Fruit Juice call and ask for details. ﻗﺪ ﯾَﺴﺘﻐﺮب اﻟﻘﺎرئ وﯾﺘﺴﺎءل ﻛﯿﻒ وُﻟِﺪَ اﻟﻤﺴﯿﺢ ﻓﻲ ﻟﺒﻨﺎن وھﻮ ﻗﺪ وُﻟِﺪَ It may surprise and wonder the reader how “Christ” was born in ﻓﻲ ﺑَﯿﺖ ﻟﺤﻢ . ?!Lebanon and not in Bethlehem

ﻧﻌﻢ وﻟِﺪَ اﻟﻄﻔﻞ ﯾﺴﻮع ﻓﻲ ﺑَﯿﺖ ﻟﺤﻢ ، أﻣّﺎ اﻟﻤَﺴﯿﺢ ﻓﻘﺪ وُﻟِﺪَ ﻓﻲ ﻟﺒﻨﺎن Yes”, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but the Christ was born in“ Lebanon, specifically in the southern town called “Cana of ”. وﺑﺎﻟﺘﺤﺪﯾﺪ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺒﻠﺪة اﻟﺠﻨﻮﺑﯿّﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗُﺪﻋﻰ ﻗﺎﻧﺎ اﻟﺠَﻠﯿﻞ . Jesus of Nazareth attended a wedding ceremony in the village of ﻓﻲ ھﺬه اﻟﺒﻠﺪة ﻇﮭﺮت اﻷﻋﺠﻮﺑﺔ اﻷوﻟﻰ ﻓﻲ ﺣﯿﺎة اﻟﻤﺴﯿﺢ ﺣﯿﺚ ﻛﺎن Cana in southern Lebanon, with his mother Mary, and his first few ﻣَﺪﻋﻮ إﻟﻰ ﺣﻔﻞ زﻓﺎف وﺧﻼل اﻟﺤﻔﻞ ﻧﻔﺬ اﻟﺨﻤﺮ ، ﻓﻨﻈﺮت ﻣﺮﯾﻢ .disciples اﻟﻌﺬراء إﻟﻰ اﻟﺴﯿﺪ اﻟﻤﺴﯿﺢ ﻗﺎﺋﻠﺔ : ﻟﻢ ﯾﺒﻘﻰ ﻟﺪَﯾﮭﻢ ﺧﻤﺮ . They ran out of wine early. In that culture, such a miscalculation would have been a great humiliation for the bride and groom.Mary ﻓﻘﺎل ﻟﮭﺎ : ﻣﺎ ﻟﻲ وﻟﻚ ﯾﺎ اﻣﺮأة ، ﻟﻢ ﺗﺄﺗﻲ ﺳﺎﻋﺘﻲ ﺑﻌﺪ!! ,turned to Jesus and said,"They have no more wine.""Dear woman ﻓﻨﻈﺮت اﻟﺴﯿﺪة اﻟﻌﺬراء إﻟﻰ اﻟﺨﺪم ﻗﺎﺋﻠﺔ : اﻓﻌﻠﻮا ﻣﺎ ﯾﻘﻮﻟﮫ ﻟﻜﻢ . why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." وﻛﺎﻧﺖ أﻋﺠﻮﺑﺘﮫ اﻷوﻟﻰ ﻓﻲ ﻟﺒﻨﺎن ﻓﻲ ﻗﺎﻧﺎ اﻟﺠﻠﯿﻞ ﺣﯿﺚ ﺣﻮّل اﻟﻤﺎء إﻟﻰ -Nearby were six stone jars filled with water used for ceremonial. Je ﺧﻤﺮ ، وھﻜﺬا وُﻟِﺪَ اﻟﻤﺴﯿﺢ ﻓﻲ ﻟﺒﻨﺎن ﺑﺎﻷﻋﺠﻮﺑﺔ اﻷوﻟﻰ وﻣﻦ ﻗﺎﻧﺎ sus told the servants to fill the jars with water. He ordered them to take it to the master of the banquet, who was in charge of food and اﻟﺠَﻠﯿﻞ اﻧﻄﻠﻘﺖ ﻣﺴﯿﺮة اﻷﻋﺎﺟﯿﺐ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺴﯿﺪ اﻟﻤﺴﯿﺢ . drink. The master was unaware of Jesus' turning the water in the jars ﻣﺎ ھﺬا اﻟﺸَﺮق اﻟﺬي وُﻟِﺪَ ﻓﯿﮫ ﺟﻤﯿﻊ اﻷﻧﺒﯿﺎء واﻟﺮّﺳﻞ ، إﻧﮫ أرض into wine.By this miraculous sign, Jesus revealed his glory as the Son of God. How amazing is the Middle East where all the prophets and اﻟﻘﺪاﺳﺔ ، ﻓﻘﺪ ﺗﺤﻮّل إﻟﻰ ارض اﻟﺸﮭﺎدة أﻣّﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ أﻣّﺔ ، ﻃﺎﺋﻔﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ -messengers were born. It is the “Holy Land”. Instead, this land be ﻃﺎﺋﻔﺔ ، ﻧُﻘﺘﻞ ﺑﺈﺳﻢ اﻟﺪﯾﻦ وﻣُﺨﺘﻠﻔﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﻮﯾّﺔ اﷲ ... came the land of martyrization, where we kill in the name of religion and quarrel over the identity of God.“Father, forgive them, for they do وﺳُﺒﺤﺎن اﻟﺤﻲّ اﻟﺒﺎﻗﻲ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺤﻲّ . .”not know what they are doing

27 Lebanon Times th the King's Palace as the symbol of the birth of The 6 Legends: As usual in some pagan tribes Christ. And the tree was kind of Cypress or pine. that worshiped God (Thor) Faun and Thunder Since year 1605 they began spreading this tradi- that adorn trees and one of the tribes involved, tion every year for Christmas. Even they say that the victim of her sons. In 727, Pope was sent to the Queen Victoria’s husband put a Christmas Bonnivasios promising it one they reside under a tree in the palace during Christmas. tree and they had one son, Princes of raboteau The 3rd Legend: In the Pharaonic era and when they slaughter him as a victim of inspired, at- the Queen was looking for her husband Osiris, tacked and rescued the son Prince from their ISIS, found him on the shores of Lebanon. Ash- hands and stop addressing which that God is the tarout Queen of Lebanon gave her the Ark of God of peace and kindness and love and then Osiris and the tree was around it. After that this cut that tree and moved to a house he offers to kind of tree was used in Roman Festivals and become later usually code for their Jesus then Christmas. moved those extraordinary to England and The 4th Legend: The Romans used the Poinset- France, America and all countries of the world. tia plants as part of birthday decorations of the Sun. This plant grows during Christmas. Its All this endows the Christmas tree, in har- leaves are longing to symbolize Christ. And its mony with the crib, with the religious and fruits Wreath Red to symbolize his blood. Christian significance of salvation that the The 5th Legend: During the escape of the Holy Son of God brought to the whole world by his family from Herod’s Soldiers. One of the trees humble birth. stretched its trunks to protect the Holy family. So god blessed her to be always green and symbol CHRISTMAS TREE IS THE TREE OF LIFE, of eternity. LOVE & PEACE

www.lebanontimesmagazine.net

www.lebanontimesmagazine.net

اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ ﯾﺸﺎھﺪ ﺻﻮرك - ﺣﻔﻼﺗﻚ - ﯾﻘﺮأ ﻣﻘﺎﻻﺗﻚ - ﯾﺸﺎھﺪ إﻋﻼﻧﻚ Many legends and old tradi- tions concerning the Christ- mas tree date back to very ancient times, but historical documentation of its origins as the tree we know and decorate today only appeared in recent centuries. There is no doubt, however, that legends and traditions show the convergence of many customs, some born outside the Christian culture and others strictly Christian. We will consider here some of the most important ones that were forerunners of the Christmas tree.

T he 1 s t legend: Once a snake was dwelling in the tree, Shamokhil was sitting under the tree with his lover. The snake attacked them and the lady was killed. At that time shsamokhil burn the tree. The villagers’ came to celebrate the holiday near the tree to benefit from its light.

The 2nd legend: Univas in- troduced Christianity to Ger- many and asked people to cut a small tree and take it to

When did you become a Bishop? Rafaj to celebrate the Melkite services for them I was ordained an auxiliary bishop on July 6, since he is a Byzantine priest, his parish of St. 1989. Because of the war in Lebanon, Patriarch John Chrysostom and the Melkites share a com- delegated Joseph mon Liturgy – We are both Byzantine. So I gave Tawil to ordain me bishop with Archbishop Mi- permission for this outreach to Melkites to begin chel Hakim of Canada, and Archbishop Peter in the Houston area. I am here to visit these Rai of Mexico and Venezuela. In 2011, I was Melkite families and encourage their participation elected the Bishop of the Melkite Greek Catholic in their proper Byzantine tradition with the hope Eparchy of Newton (the headquarters of the Mel- of eventually establishing a mission and a future kite Church in the United States). parish, if this is God’s will. How many Eastern Catholic churches are in Being around Christmas time: the USA? If you were Santa Claus what will you offer as The Eastern Catholic Churches in the USA rep- a gift to the Catholic Church? resent the following traditions: Armenian, Syriac, We celebrate Christ in the flesh at Christmas. My Maronite, Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara, Chal- gift to all Catholics would be to recognize him as dean, Melkite, Ruthenian, Romanian, Ukrainian, the prince of peace and work toward creating Coptic, and Ethiopian. The total of 670 parishes peace in our world. and missions with 615,000 people. My Eparchy, Especially for all the eastern churches in the the Melkites in the USA has 43 communities with Middle East. Jesus Christ was born in the Middle 30,000 people. East so we pray that also love and peace will be Are there a lot of people from the community born in the Middle East too. interested in becoming priests? What would you offer the world? We only have two or three so far. I ask that if As we start the holiday season I wish the world anyone from the community feels that he has a to allow the children to rule the world. Since chil- spiritual call to give us a call. Vocations to priest- dren don’t know about wars & manipulation be- hood are very limited. As they are in most cause they represent innocence and love .I offer churches. Next September I will have 3 semi- the world the smile of a child that is full of love narians studying for priesthood. and peace. Are you ever going to see the Christian holi- What is your message for Christmas this days united? year? Much dialogue has taken place about Catholics May the manifestation of God in the flesh – His and Orthodox celebrating common feasts to- birth, encounter in the temple, and His baptism gether, particularly Easter. However, we still pray in the Jordan, shine brightly on each and every- for this to happen. one. May we all find Christ in these events and Why are you visiting Houston? allow Him to be “reborn” in us so that we can all A group of Melkite families requested Fr. Elias be ambassadors of peace and justice to all.

30 Lebanon Times The Most Reverend Bishop Nicholas J. Samra Bishop of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton U.S.A

We Pray for the Unification of the Glorious Feasts

We wish Peace to all parts of the world

His Honor Bishop is work- ing on spreading the eastern Catholic Church with its tradition, throughout the United States. He is on a mission to pre- serve its presence .He is working to help and serve the Catholic community that originates from the Middle East. Lebanon Times Magazine had the privilege to inter- view his honor while he was visiting Hous- ton, Texas. He brought love and peace with him. Who is Bishop Nicholas Samra, and where were you born? Bishop Nicholas Samra is the Eparchial Bishop of Newton, the Melkite Eparchy or Diocese in the USA. The Melkite Church in the USA has forty three communities – par- ishes and missions in twenty states. There are many other communities of Melkites around the USA that need to be formed into parishes. I was born in Paterson, NJ, on August 15, 1944, the son of George Samra and Eliza- beth Balady. Family’s origin is , Syria. When did you become a priest? After eight years of philosophical and theo- logical education at St. Basil Melkite Semi- nary (Methuen, MA) and St. John Seminary (Boston, MA) I was ordained a priest on May 10, 1970 by Archbishop 3819 Fondren Rd . Houston, TX 77063 Tel : 832– 201-1000 www.castlefurniture.com ﻣﺎ دَور اﻟﺜﻌﺒﺎن وﺷﺠﺮة اﻟﺮاﻋﻲ وﻣﻠﻜﺔ ﻟﺒﻨﺎن ﻓﻲ ﺷﺠﺮة اﻟﻤﯿﻼد

ﯾُﻘﺎل ﺑﺄﻧﮫ ﻛﺎن ھﻨﺎك ﺛﻌﺒﺎن ﯾﺴﻜﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﺠﺮة ، ﻓﻠﻤﺎ ﻛﺎن ﺷﯿﻤﻮﺧﯿﻞ اﻟﻘﺼّﺔ اﻟﺴﺎدﺳﺔ : اﻟﻘﺮوي ﯾﻀﺎﺟﻊ ﻋﺸﯿﻘﺘﮫ ھﺠﻢ ﻋﻠﯿﮫ اﻟﺜﻌﺒﺎن ﻓﮭﺮب ﺗﺎرﻛﺎً ﻋﺸﯿﻘﺘﮫ ، ﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻟﻌﺎدة ﻟﺪى ﺑﻌﺾ اﻟﻘﺒﺎﺋﻞ اﻟﻮﺛﻨﯿّﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻌﺒﺪ اﻵﻟﮫ ﺗﻮر إﻟﮫ اﻟﻐﺎﺑﺎت ﻓﻠﺪﻏﮭﺎ اﻟﺜﻌﺒﺎن وﻣﺎﺗﺖ ، ﻓﺠﺎء ﺷﯿﻤﻮﺧﯿﻞ وأﺣﺮق اﻟﺸﺠﺮة ﻓﻲ اﻟﻤﺴﺎء . واﻟﺮّﻋﺪ ، أن ﺗﺰﯾّﻦ اﻷﺷﺠﺎر ﺛﻢّ ﺗﻘﻮم أﺣﺪ اﻟﻘﺒﺎﺋﻞ اﻟﻤُﺸﺎرﻛﺔ ﺑﺎﻹﺣﺘﻔﺎل ﻓﻲ ﻓﺠﺎء أھﻞ اﻟﻘﺮﯾﺔ ﻟﯿﺤﺘﻔﻠﻮا ﻗﺮب اﻟﺸﺠﺮة ﻛﻲ ﯾﺴﺘﻔﯿﺪوا ﻣﻦ ﻧﻮرھﺎ . ﺗﻘﺪﯾﻢ ﺿﺤﯿّﺔ ﺑﺸﺮﯾّﺔ ﻣﻦ أﺑﻨﺎﺋﮭﺎ . وﻓﻲ ﻋﺎم 727 أوﻓﺪ إﻟﯿﮭﻢ اﻟﺒﺎﺑﺎ أﻣﺎ اﻟﻘﺼﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﻓﺘﻘﻮل : ﯾﻮﻧﯿﻔﺎﺳﯿﻮس ﻣُﺒﺸّﺮاً ﻓﺸﺎھﺪھﻢ ﯾﻘﯿﻤﻮن إﺣﺘﻔﺎﻻً ﺗﺤﺖ إﺣﺪى اﻷﺷﺠﺎر وﻗﺪ ﯾﻮﻧﯿﻔﺎس وھﻮ اﻟﺬي أدﺧﻞ اﻟﻤﺴﯿﺤﯿّﺔ إﻟﻰ أﻟﻤﺎﻧﯿﺎ ، وﻃﻠﺐ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﻌﺐ أن رﺑﻄﻮا إﺑﻦ أﺣﺪ اﻻﻣﺮاء وھﻤّﻮا ﺑﺬﺑﺤﮫ ﻛﻀﺤﯿّﺔ ﻟﻶﻟﮫ ﺗﻮر ، ﻓﮭﺎﺟﻤﮭﻢ ﯾﻘﻄﻌﻮا ﺷﺠﺮة ﺻﻐﯿﺮة ﯾﺤﻤﻠﻮھﺎ إﻟﻰ ﻗﺼﺮ اﻟﻤﻠﻚ ﺗﻌﺒﯿﺮاً ﻋﻦ ﻣﯿﻼد وأﻧﻘﺬ إﺑﻦ اﻷﻣﯿﺮ ووﻗﻒ ﻓﯿﮭﻢ ﺧﻄﯿﺒﺎً ﻣُﺒﯿّﻨﺎً ﻟﮭﻢ أن اﻹﻟﮫ اﻟﺤﻲّ ھﻮ إﻟﮫ اﻟﻤﺴﯿﺢ ، واﻟﺸﺠﺮة ﻣﻦ ﻧﻮع اﻟﺴﺮو أو اﻟﺼﻨﻮﺑﺮ ، ﺛﻢ ﺑﺪأت ﻓﻲ اﻹﻧﺘﺸﺎر اﻟﺴّﻼم واﻟﺮّﻓﻖ واﻟﻤﺤﺒّﺔ اﻟﺬي ﺟﺎء ﻟﯿُﺨﻠّﺺ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ . ﺛﻢّ ﻗﺎمَ ﻓﻲ ﻗﻄﻊ ﺗﻠﻚ ﻋﺎم1605 ﺣﺘﻰ أن زوج اﻟﻤﻠﻜﺔ ﻓﯿﻜﺘﻮرﯾﺎ وﺿﻊ ﺷﺠﺮة اﻟﻤﯿﻼد ﻓﻲ اﻟﺸﺠﺮة وﻧﻘﻠﮭﺎ إﻟﻰ أﺣﺪ اﻟﻤﻨﺎزل وﻗﺎم ﻓﻲ ﺗﺰﯾﯿﻨﮭﺎ ﻟﺘﺼﺒﺢ ﻓﯿﻤﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻋﺎدة اﻟﻘﺼﺮ . ورﻣﺰاً ﻻﺣﺘﻔﺎﻟﮭﻢ ﺑﻌﯿﺪ اﻟﻤﯿﻼد . واﻧﺘﻘﻠﺖ ھﺬه اﻟﻌﺎدة ﺑﻌﺪ ذﻟﻚ ﻣﻦ أﻟﻤﺎﻧﯿﺎ أﻣّﺎ اﻟﺮواﯾﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺜﺔ : إﻟﻰ ﻓﺮﻧﺴﺎ وإﻧﻜﻠﺘﺮا ﺛﻢّ أﻣﯿﺮﻛﺎ واﻧﺘﺸﺮَت ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ . ﺑﺄﻧﮫ ﻓﻲ ﻋﮭﺪ اﻟﻔﺮﻋﻮﻧﯿﺔ ، وﻋﻨﺪﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻟﻤﻠﻜﺔ أﯾﺰﯾﺲ ﺗﺒﺤﺚ ﻋﻦ زوﺟﮭﺎ أوزورﯾﺲ ﻓﻮﺟﺪﺗﮫ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺷﻮاﻃﺊ ﻟﺒﻨﺎن ، ﻓﻘﺎﻣﺖ ﻋﺸﺘﺮوت ﻣﻠﻜﺔ ﻟﺒﻨﺎن ﺑﺈھﺪاﺋﮭﺎ ﺗﺎﺑﻮت أوزورﯾﺲ وﻗﺪ أﺣﺎﻃﺖ ﺑﮫ ﺷﺠﺮة ، وﻇﮭﺮت ھﺬه اﻟﺸﺠﺮة ﻓﻲ أﻋﯿﺎد اﻟﺮوﻣﺎن ﺛﻢّ ﻓﻲ أﻋﯿﺎد اﻟﻤﯿﻼد . أﻣّﺎ اﻟﻘﺼّﺔ اﻟﺮّاﺑﻌﺔ : ﻓﻘﺪ اﺳﺘﺨﺪم اﻟﺮّوﻣﺎن ﺷﺠﺮة ﺷﺮاﺑﺔ اﻟﺮّاﻋﻲ ﻛﺠﺰء ﻣﻦ زﯾﻨﺔ ﻋﯿﺪ ﻣﯿﻼد اﻟﺸﻤﺲ اﻟﺘﻲ ﻻ ﺗﻘﮭﺮ ﻣﻊ ﺗﺤﺪﯾﺪ ﻋﯿﺪ ﻣﯿﻼد اﻟﺮبّ ﯾﻮم 25 ﻛﺎﻧﻮن اﻷوّل وأﺻﺒَﺤﺖ ﺟﺰءاً ﻣﻦ زﯾﻨﺔ اﻟﻤﯿﻼد ، وﺗﻢّ إﻋﺘﺒﺎر أوراﻗﮭﺎ ذات اﻟﺸﻮك رﻣﺰاً ﻹﻛﻠﯿﻞ اﻟﻤﺴﯿﺢ ، وﺛﻤﺮھﺎ اﻷﺣﻤﺮ رﻣﺰاً ﻟﺪﻣﮫ . اﻟﻘﺼّﺔ اﻟﺨﺎﻣﺴﺔ ﺗﻘﻮل : ﺑﺄﻧﮫ أﺛﻨﺎء ھﺮوب اﻟﻌﺎﺋﻠﺔ اﻟﻤُﻘﺪّﺳﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻨﻮد ھﯿﺮودوس ، إﺣﺪى اﻟﺸﺠﺮات ﻣﺪدت أﻏﺼﺎﻧﮭﺎ وأﺧﻔﺖ اﻟﻌﺎﺋﻠﺔ ﻓﻜﺄﻓﺄھﺎ اﻟﺮبّ ﺑﺠﻌﻠﮭﺎ داﺋﻤﺔ اﻟﺨﻀﺎء ورﻣﺰاً ﻟﻠﺨﻠﻮد . 33 Lebanon Times اﺿﺤﻚ ﻣﻊ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ

ﻣﺠﻠﺔ ﻟﯿﺒﺎﻧﻮن ﺗﺎﯾﻤﺰ راﻓﻘﺖ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﻓﻲ رﺣﻠﺘﮫ إﻟﻰ ﺑﻌﺾ اﻟﺪول ﻓﻤﺎ إن دﺧﻠﮭﺎ ﺣﺘﻰ وﺟﺪ اﻟﺸﻌﺐ اﻟﻔﻠﺴﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﯾﺮدد ﻗﺎﺋﻼً : إذا اﺧﺘﻔﻰ وﻗﺮأت ﺑﻌﺾ اﻟﺮﺳﺎﺋﻞ اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﺴﻠّﻤﮭﺎ وﺟﺎءت ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻌﻠﯿﻘﺎت اﻟﺘﺎﻟﯿﺔ : اﻟﺸﺮق اﻷوﺳﻂ ﻋﻦ اﻟﺨﺮﯾﻄﺔ ﺗﺨﺘﻔﻲ اﻟﺨﯿﺎﻧﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ .؟ ﻓﺼﻌﺪ ﻣﺠﺪّداً اﻟﻤﺤﻄّﺔ اﻷوﻟﻰ ﻟﺒﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻓﻲ ﻟﺒﻨﺎن : إﻟﻰ ﻋﺮﺑﺘﮫ ﺻﺎرﺧﺎً : اﻧﻄﻠﻘﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻏﺰﻻن ﻓﺄﻧﺎ ﻋﺎﺋﺪ إﻟﻰ اﻟﻘﻄﺐ اﻟﺸﻤﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﺴﻜﯿﻦ ﺛﯿﺎﺑﮫ ﺗﻤﺰّﻗﺖ ﺑﯿﻦ 8 و14 آذار ﻛﻞّ ﻓﺮﯾﻖ ﯾﺮﯾﺪ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﻟﮫ . . ﺣﻤﻞ ھﺪﯾّﺔ ﻟﻮﻟﯿﺪ ﺟﻨﺒﻼط وﻟﻜﻦ ﻟﻢ ﯾﺴﺘﻄﻊ ﻟﻘﺎءه أو ﺗﻘﺪﯾﻤﮭﺎ ﻟﮫ ﻷن رﺳﺎﺋﻞ اﺳﺘﻠﻤﮭﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﺧﺎرﺟﺔ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻤﺄﻟﻮف : ﺟﻨﺒﻼط ﻛﻞّ دﻗﯿﻘﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻜﺎن ﻣﺎ وﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﺣﺎول اﻟﻠّﺤﺎق ﺑﮫ وﻟﻜﻦ اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻷوﻟﻰ: ﺗﻮرﻣﺖ ﻗﺪَﻣﯿﮫ ﻗﺒﻞ أن ﯾﻠﻘﺎه ﻷنّ ﺟﻨﺒﻼط ﺗﻨﻘﻼﺗﮫ ﺳﺮﯾﻌﺔ . ﻋﺰﯾﺰي ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ، ارﺟﻮك اﻋﻄﯿﻨﻲ ﺛﺮوة ﻛﺎرﻟﻮس ﺳﻠﯿﻢ وﻟﻮ ﻟﯿَﻮﻣﯿﻦ . ﻗﺪّم ھﺪﯾّﺔ ﻟﻠﻨﺎﺋﺐ ﺟﯿﻠﺒﺮت زوﯾﻦ وﻟﻜﻦ ﺣﺘﻰ اﻵن ﻟﻢ ﯾﺘﻠﻖَ ﻛﻠﻤﺔ ﺷﻜﺮ اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﯿﺔ: واﺣﺪة ﻷﻧﮭﺎ ﻻ ﺗﺘﻜﻠﻢ وھﺬا ﻣﺒﺪأھﺎ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺤﯿﺎة . ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ أﻧﺎ ﻣﺘﺠﮫ إﻟﻰ اﻟﻜﺎزﯾﻨﻮ ﺳﺄراھﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺮﻗﻢ 7 ، اﺟﻌﻞ اﻟﻜﻠّﺔ اﻟﻌﻤﺎد ﻣﯿﺸﺎل ﻋﻮن اﺷﺘﺮط ﻹﺳﺘﻘﺒﺎل ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ أن ﯾﺼﻠّﻲ ﻣﺮّة أﺑﺎﻧﺎ ﺗﺘﻮﻗﻒ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺬا اﻟﺮّﻗﻢ . وﻣﺮّة اﻟﺴﻼم ﻓﻲ ﻛﻨﯿﺴﺔ ﻣﺎر ﻣﺨﺎﯾﻞ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺸﯿﺎح . اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺜﺔ: اﻟﻨﺎﺋﺐ د. ﻋﻤﺎر ﺣﻮري اﻋﺘﺮف ﻟﺒﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﺑﺄﻧﮫ ﻧﺎل ﻧﺼﯿﺒﮫ ﻣﻦ ﻏﻀﺐ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ دﺧﯿﻠﻚ ﻗﻞ ﻟﺼﺪﯾﻘﻲ أن ﯾﺴﺎﻓﺮ ﻟﻤﺪة ﺳﻨﺔ ﻛﻲ أھﺘﻢ ﺑﺰوﺟﺘﮫ .. أھﻞ اﻟﻔﻘﯿﺪ أﺛﻨﺎء ﺗﻘﺪﯾﻢ اﻟﺘﻌﺎزي ﻟﮭﻢ ﻷﻧﮭﻢ ﻇﻨﻮا ﺑﺄﻧﮫ ﯾﻀﺤﻚ ﻓﻮق رأس وﻋﻠﻤﻚ ﻛﻔﺎﯾﺔ .. اﻟﻤﯿﺖ (ﻣﻼﺣﻈﺔ ﻷن اﻹﺑﺘﺴﺎﻣﺔ ﻻ ﺗﻔﺎرﻗﮫ ) . اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﺮاﺑﻌﺔ : اﻟﺮﺋﯿﺲ ﻧﺠﯿﺐ ﻣﯿﻘﺎﺗﻲ ﺗﻠﻘﻰ ھﺪﯾﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﻋﺮض ﻟﻠﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﻊ ﻓﺮﯾﻖ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﻋﻠﻤﻨﻲ ﻛﯿﻒ أﺳﺘﻄﯿﻊ ﺗﺰوﯾﺮ ﺗﻮﻗﯿﻊ ﺑﻌﺾ رﺟﺎل اﻷﻋﻤﺎل . Laker’s ﻟﻜﺮة اﻟﺴﻠﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻟﻮس أﻧﺠﻠﻮس . اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﺨﺎﻣﺴﺔ : أﻛﺜﺮﯾﺔ اﻟﻠﺒﻨﺎﻧﯿﯿﻦ رﻣﻮا ھﺪاﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﻓﻲ وﺟﮭﮫ ﻗﺎﺋﻠﯿﻦ : ﻣﺎ ﺑﺪﻧﺎ ﻟﻌﺐ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﺣﻘّﻖ ﺣﻠﻤﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼل إﻧﺘﺼﺎر اﻟﺘﯿﺎر اﻟﻌﻮﻧﻲ ﻓﻲ اﻹﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت ﺑﺪﻧﺎ دواﻟﯿﺐ ﻛﻮﺗﺸﻮك ﻟﻘﻄﻊ اﻟﻄﺮﻗﺎت وإﺷﻌﺎﻟﮭﺎ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺸﺎرع ... إﯾﮫ روح اﻟﻘﺎدﻣﺔ . ﯾﺎ ... أﻧﺖ واﻟﻠّﻌﺒﺔ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ... اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﺴﺎدﺳﺔ : وأﺧﯿﺮاً ، وﻗﺒﻞ أن ﯾﻐﺎدر ﻟﺒﻨﺎن ﺻﺮخ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ : ﯾﺎ ﻋﻤﻲ ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﺣﻘﻖّ ﺣﻠﻤﻲ ﺑﺈﻧﺘﺼﺎر اﻟﻘﻮات اﻟﻠﺒﻨﺎﻧﯿّﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻹﻧﺘﺨﺎﺑﺎت ﻓﺮﯾﻖ ﯾﺴﺄﻟﻨﻲ ھﻞ أﻧﺖ ﺷﯿﻌﻲ أم ﺳﻨﻲ؟ وﻓﺮﯾﻖ آﺧﺮ ﯾﺴﺄﻟﻨﻲ أﻧﺖ ﻋﻮﻧﻲ اﻟﻘﺎدﻣﺔ . ﯾﻤﺎ ﻗﻮاﺗﻲ؟؟... ﺷﻮ ھﺎﻟﺒﻠﺪ .. ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺣﺪا ﻟﺒﻨﺎﻧﻲ ﯾﺎ ﻧﺎس ... اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﺴﺎﺑﻌﺔ : اﻟﻤﺤﻄﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻧﯿﺔ ﺳﻮرﯾﺎ : ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ اﻧﺼﺮ اﻟﻄﺎﺋﻔﺔ اﻟﺸﯿﻌﯿّﺔ . ﻣﺎ إن دﺧﻞ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ إﻟﻰ ﺳﻮرﯾﺎ ﺣﺘﻰ اﻧﮭﺎﻟﺖ ﻋﻠﻰ رأﺳﮫ اﻟﺒﺮازق إذا اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻣﻨﺔ : ﻛﺎن ﻣﻦ ﻣﺆﯾّﺪي اﻟﺴﻠﻄﺔ اﻟﻘﺬاﺋﻒ ﻓﻮق رأﺳﮫ ، وإذا ﻛﺎن ﻣﻊ اﻟﺠﯿﺶ اﻟﺤﺮّ ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ اﻧﺼﺮ اﻟﻄﺎﺋﻔﺔ اﻟﺴﻨﯿّﺔ . اﻟﻘﺬاﺋﻒ اﯾﻀﺎً ﻓﻮق رأﺳﮫ . ﻟﺬا ﺻﺎر ﯾﻐﻨﻲ ﻃﺎﻟﻌﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺑﯿﺖ أﺑﻮھﺎ ﻧﺎزﻟﺔ اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﺘﺎﺳﻌﺔ : ﻋﻨﺪ اﻟﺠﯿﺮان ، ﯾﺎ رب اﺣﻤﻲ ﺳﻮرﯾﺎ وﺷﻌﺒﮭﺎ وﺿﻊ اﻟﻤﺤﺒﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻗﻠﻮﺑﮭﻢ ، ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ اﻧﺼﺮ اﻟﻄﺎﺋﻔﺔ اﻟﺪرزﯾّﺔ . ﻓﺄﺳﺮع ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ إﻟﻰ ﻋﺮﺑﺘﺔ وﺿﺮب اﻟﻐﺰﻻن ﺑﺎﻟﻜﺮﺑﺎج ودﺧﻞ ﻓﻠﺴﻄﯿﻦ . أﻣﺎ اﻟﺮﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﻌﺎﺷﺮة ﻓﮭﻲ ﻟﻠﯿﺒﺎﻧﻮن ﺗﺎﯾﻤﺰ : اﻟﻤﺤﻄﺔ اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺜﺔ ﻓﻠﺴﻄﯿﻦ: ﯾﺎ ﺑﺎﺑﺎ ﻧﻮﯾﻞ ﺧﺬ ﺟﻤﯿﻊ اﻟﺬﯾﻦ ﯾﺘﺎﺟﺮون ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺎﺋﻔﯿّﺔ وﺑﺎﻟﻮﻃﻦ .. ورﯾﺤﻨﺎ .

34 Lebanon Times In Austria, he became known as 'Christkind', the But the definitive, iconic image of Santa Claus as spirit of Christ's generosity. He had other names we know him today was created by Coca Cola. In around the world but few of them are used any 1931, Coke began a massive publicity campaign longer. When Austrians brought Christkind to using Santa Claus as their gimmick. The ads America, the name was secularized and became showed a smiling Santa holding a Coca Cola in Kris Kringle. his hand. This interpretation of Santa was a rather Different aspects of the combined legend were large man, tall and tubby, with a bushy white represented in Santa Claus. Santa brought toys to beard. He had a bright red outfit lined with white kids and was a immortal being who symbolized fur. Christmas. His appearance was rather vague at Many Santa actors were hired by Coke for per- this point and different groups pictured him differ- sonal appearances. Department store Santa’s ent ways. But the one definite, consistent element started to appear at this time and they adopted was the white beard. the tall, plus-sized version of St Nick. Taller Santa/Kris Kringle was sometimes described as a Santa’s were easier to find than little people. How- jolly elf, because the Santa legend got mixed with ever, they did cast dwarfs and midgets as Santa's another myth which talks of a magic Elf who Elf helpers. (Beginning, the legend that Elves comes to your home to deliver gifts. The elfin’s made Santa toys.) image that was popularized by Clement Clark This over-sized rendition of Santa was adopted by Moore's classic 1823 poem, "A Visit from St. Macy's who used the large Santa as the anchor of Nick". (Moore also invented the idea of the flying their annual parade. The 1947 film "A Miracle on Reindeer.) This elfin image was the prevailing 34th Street" finally cemented this image. view of Santa for a long time. The name Father Christmas never really caught In 1881, Harper's Weekly cartoonist Thomas Nast on in America but the names Santa Claus/Kris made some famous illustrations of Santa which Kringle/St. Nicholas are all still well known and depicted the jolly fellow as a chubby fellow. He used today. The figure of Santa Claus has ap- was drawn with a big belly. The text that accom- peared in every possible medium of entertainment panied the Nast cartoons suggested that Santa and literature. He is forevermore established as a and his magic Reindeer lived in the North Pole. large, portly, ageless man in a red costume who Nast also designed his trademark red suit. Up un- lives in the North Pole and brings toys (built by til this point, Santa Claus had usually been drawn Elves) to children on his flying reindeer and as wearing Bishop Robes. sleigh. life annually. Sailors, migrants and various travel- over the next 100 years. And since the life of St. ers carried the tale of Bishop Nicholas throughout Nicholas was also celebrated every December, Europe. His deeds were honored every Dec. 6th the two legends somehow began to merge. Peo- in many countries. The Church eventually made ple began to think of them as one character and him St. Nicholas. so St. Nicholas became Father Christmas. In the 1700, many Dutch speaking people began In 1686, Josiah King wrote "The Examination and to settle in America. They brought with them the Trial of Father Christmas" to celebrate Christmas legends of St. Nicholas/Father Christmas. They being reinstated as an official holiday. Father called him Saint Nikolaas, but the name got short- Christmas embodied the spirit of good will and joy ened and altered by American writer Washington that Christmas is supposed to represent. Father Irving who wrote the first popular stories about the Christmas was depicted as an old man with a Saint Nikolas, who Irving renamed "Sinterklaus". white beard. This could be because he typified the Americans, hearing this legend for the first time, antiquity of the Christian tradition. Another theory adopted the story into American culture but they is that he was based on Wotton (Or Odin) the All- had trouble pronouncing Sinterklaus and so they Father of Scandinavian/Dutch/Germanic mythol- changed the name to make it easier to say. Saint ogy. Father Christmas did not bring gifts to chil- Nicholas/Father Christmas became Santa Claus dren, at this point. He was implicitly immortal, as in America. Although the name Father Christmas eternal as Christmas itself. would eventually fade from popular use in Amer- Father Christmas became a symbol of Christmas ica, Santa Claus would not.

36 Lebanon Times Where did the legend of Santa Claus come from? How did it start? Let’s look at the real story behind the myth, beginning with a very real man named Nicholas.

The legend began in fourth century Myra in Asia tradition of hanging Christmas stockings and put- Minor, which today is known as Turkey. Nicholas ting gifts in them.) was a Bishop who was known for his generosity and kindness to children. At least one miracle was Later, Bishop Nicholas got into trouble with Em- attributed to him by the Catholic Church. The most peror Diocletian for saying things which the Em- famous story about him is the following… peror preferred were not said. Nicholas didn't ap- prove of many things which occurred under the A father had three daughters. They were so poor; Emperor and said so. He was exiled from Myra. they were likely to lose their home. The three Nicholas wandered Europe for a time and his young daughters had decided to turn to prostitu- reputation had preceded him. He was well re- tion to save their father from financial ruin and re- ceived everywhere as a man of integrity and cour- tain their home. When Bishop Nicholas found out, age. The Pope himself praised Nicho- he visited their house and left three stocking, each las.Eventually Bishop Nicholas returned to Myra with a piece of gold within. The three gold pieces and was quickly arrested. He ultimately died in saved the family from ruin (And also started the prison on Dec. 6, 350 AD. Many mourned his

37 Lebanon Times I was their only son and I have two sisters. Since I missionaries, but those who heard the words of was a little child my mother kept a book describing Christ out of Christ own mouth and those who con- every detail about me, like about my first tooth, when verted by his apostles .We have a glorious Christian I got my first haircut, everything first. And she wrote heritage, the Christians from the middle east. that from the time I was two years old I wanted to be a priest. That I would play priest, not cowboy not In- If you were Santa Clause, what do you offer: dian, so they knew. My family was very close to the church. Lebanon: Peace Palestine: Justice What is your Christmas message this year? Syria: Love Iraq: Stability The message that was pronounced when our savior was born, the message that came from heaven from What does your grace ask from Santa Clause? the angels. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace. Peace throughout the world, but especially in Maybe some Joy and toys for all the poor children, the land where our savior walked in the Middle East, especially for the children that don’t have homes. where the first Christians came from. The ones who heard the angels sing .It has to be our eternal Christ- Private questions mas message. What is your favorite meal? I am a monk now so I How do you describe your visit to Houston and don’t eat meat. The thing I miss the most is grape what do you ask from the orthodox community? leaves

I have been coming to Houston even before I was When is your birthday? November 26 ordained a deacon. I worked with the young people of our archdioceses beginning of 1975 .I have been Why don’t you choose Houston as your hometown coming to Houston for 37 years .I know many of the instead of Wichita ? The state of Kansas is right in people here . It is like coming back to family, it is a the geographic center of America. By the way, there wonderful community. What I expect from the ortho- is a little town in Kansas, which is the geographic dox people in Houston is what I expect from all our center of the United States, the government has a orthodox people in all of the parishes, that they stay monument there and a little church and the name of faithful to the faith, and that they act as descendants this little town is Lebanon Kansas. So I live in Wichita of those first Christians who were converted not by because it is the center of our diocese.

38 Lebanon Times The Right Reverend Bishop Basil Bishop of Wichita and Mid-America, of the Antiochian Archdiocese

I wish love to Lebanon. Peace & love in Syria. Justice for Palestine. And Stability in Iraq.

Interviewed By Julia Nader & Lina A. Jaoude

The Honorable Bishop Bassil will allures you with his loving personal- ity. He is an encyclopedia of thoughts and knowledge He Enters your heart without a passport. When he speaks you listen to his words as if the words coming out of a golden mouth. He is the Bishop of speeches. His Holiness's visit to Houston brought together the com- munity around him because of his big heart. Lebanon Times Magazine had the honor to interview his holiness while his visit to Houston:

Who is Bishop Basil? When did you be- come a priest and where are you from?

My family name in English is Essey and in is Issa. I was born in a small town near Pittsburgh, PA. My grandparents came from Syria in the turn of the twenti- eth century. I was ordained a deacon in 1979, became a priest in 1980, and a bishop in 1992. I n 1986 to the middle of 1987, I lived in the Balamand in Lebanon.

What was your parents’ opinion when you decided to become a priest?