Reflection #9: The Incarnation of God

After viewing "The Nativity Story", analyzing your chosen Christmas carol, and reading Philippians 2:1-7, reflect on the meaning of Christmas....

The christmas carol that I have chosen is "silent night". The lyrics as a whole from it signifies a huge event, the birth of Jesus especially the verse, "Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth". In "The Nativity Story", Mary gave birth to Jesus by God's power. She was however already betrothed to a man, Joseph. The angel appeared in Joseph's dream saying that the child in Mary's womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he is the son of God. And when Mary eventually gives birth to him, he must name Him "Jesus" which also means Saviour, as He will save His people from their sins. Being aware of this, Joseph accompanied her on a journey to Bethelehem where she ended up giving birth after so much pain she had to go through. Shepherds were all there to visit Jesus's birth. They were one of the first people who acknowledge the importance of Jesus's birth. The Persians also known as the wise men from the east also came to Bethlehem bringing along gifts to see Him born as the king of Jews.

What was really significant is that God came to the world  himself born as a human form instead of appearing in power. He rather make himself a true man and live among everyone else. This could be because if God came to the world as a living man just like everyone else, He will be able to connect or communicate better with His people. I also believe that not only this but God can also experience the human's life and His creation if he started his life off in a human form. He can also lead and teach His people taking the right journey through life. This is also an equal advantage as everyone will still worship Him as equally as if He was still God if the people know that He is born as a human. 

This is why to celebrate this significant event, christmas is celebrated every year. 

Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives

Find where Islamic religious beliefs intersect with current events. Research a Western news source on the story and summarize the article from that perspective, adding the article link to your OP. Then, using Google search, site: (country code) research the same story from an Islamic country's perspective, again, adding the web link to your site. Compare and contrast both articles, noting differences in actual facts, or the role that Islam played in the story.

ARTICLE #1
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/10/lebanon-veil-jobless-discrimination-ad-student-islam-position.html  (from Los Angelos Times)

This article is called " Islamic hijab not welcome in Beirut offices, says frustrated job-seeker". With the law that Islamic religion has set for the Muslims women to wear headscarves have caused many difficulties. A 21 year-old, Lubna, have not been able to get a job at Beirut companies as they have a problem with her being veiled. She was rejected from most of her job interviews.

ARTICLE #2 is from Indonesia's perspective:

http://www.dakotavoice.com/2009/02/sharia-law-overtaking-indonesia/
This article is called "Sharia Law Overtaking Indonesia". This article has stated that more than 15 regencies in 16 of the 32 provinces in Indonesia that practices the Islamic religion have passed laws linked to Sharia. This have been an issue because with the Sharia inspired laws which include both Muslim and non-muslim women to wear headscarves. Female students who do not wear headscarves will be suspended from school. All of these issues have caused unhappiness towards many of the Indonesians. 

Both of these two articles shows the different attitudes towards the Sharia law from two different countries. The law that is focused within these two articles from these countries is the wearing of headscarves. In Indonesia, most women wear headscarves but they do not feel the need to especially by non-muslims. However in Beirut, women follows the Islamic law and faith but suffers from the views of others within our society. Both articles based on just one religious practice which is for muslim women to wear headscarves but yet different countries have different views of their own religion. It is always up to people to believe in their own faiths.