UCO Beirut Newsletter
December 2021 - Christmas
Reflection
The Feast of the Incarnation: The Greatest Miracle of All!
-John Keating
Whether your tradition celebrates the Feast of the Incarnation on December 25th or on January 6th, all of us disciples of Jesus rejoice immensely in this central truth of our faith. In His wisdom, at the perfect moment, God accomplishes the greatest miracle of history.
Every “miracle” is simply God’s personal intervention – “supernaturally” – into the “natural” realities of this fallen world. But this “Grand Miracle”, the one which gives every other miracle its basis and its significance, is the breaking into this world by God Himself, as a human being.
This divine revelation was so unbelievable, so stupendous, so awe-inspiring that neither angels nor human beings could possibly have conceived of it, unless God Himself had revealed it.
The coming of the Son of God into this fallen, enslaved world, was not a “bungee jump” out of heaven and back. Rather, His Incarnation was the shocking invasion of the power of heaven into this world, breaking into “Fortress Earth” (which was enslaved and oppressed under the power of Satan). In Jesus’ coming, the whole tide of the cosmic war over the destiny of human beings has been turned, forever. God Himself has come into this world to destroy the power of death, sin, and Satan. He has come to conquer hearts and souls, and to transform them eternally. And He ascends once again to His Father, bringing all of us with Him into heaven.
As we celebrate this great feast of the Incarnation in 2021 here in Lebanon, let us rejoice deeply in the Holy Spirit! Even in the darkness and confusion and uncertainties of this time and place, we know who we are and we know where we are going – now and forever. God’s Great Miracle has been consummated!
Personal Sharings
Lea Chaiban
We are very familiar with the Christmas story; Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, three wise men, shepherds... Recently however I figured that some minor details aren’t Biblically accurate.
Toufic Lattouf
Tis the season! Christmas trees start appearing through windows. Hymns start popping up on radios, the semester starts wrapping up like the presents we got our loved ones.
Star of the Month
Julian of Norwich
By Vicky Moussaed
Julian of Norwich lived from 1342 until about 1430 -
turbulent years for the Church. God, however, even
in periods of tribulation, does not cease to inspire
such figures to recall people to peace, love and joy.
Talents
Perla Saade
Embroidered hoops
Game
November’s Solutions
Connect the dots
December’s Game
Christmas Maze
Map the way of each Christmas item to the houses.
Announcements
We hope to see you in our upcoming events! Mark your calendars and save the following dates:
December 10: Bible Study
January 7: UCO public meeting
Also, January’s newsletter is going to be all about Continuity in Our Decisions!
So if you have something personal you would like to share, or if you would like to showcase a talent, send them in to:
ucobeirutnewsletter@gmail.com
Meet the team
Rhea Fahd / Editor-in-Chief
Rackel Dahdouh / Resident Writer
Alex Abdelnour / Graphic Designer
Previous Newsletters
You can check our previous newsletters on this link!
Contact
To participate in our upcoming newsletters, you can reach out to us on our email: ucobeirutnewsletter@gmail.com
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