The Languages (& Translations) of the Bible – Linguistic Conundrums
Much of the Christian Bible was written in Greek so why don’t we read the Bible in Greek? How many languages has it been translated into? and Why does it matter? It turns out that the answer to the last question is very important indeed when you study the linguistic differences, subtle nuances and context in which writtings can appear within a passage of scripture.
So Why is the Day After Christmas Called Boxing Day?
In Britain, Boxing Day is usually celebrated on the following day after Christmas Day, 26 December. But why is it called boxing day ?
The End is Nigh : 6 Times that the World was Supposed to End
Over mankind’s history the end of the world has been predicted many times, most recently in the hype over the supposed end of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012. In this article we look at just 6 of these gloomy ‘predictions’.
The Star of Bethlehem – The Evidence
There are many parts to the nativity story : Shepherds, Angels,Wise men & of course the star. That last part about the Star must be made up surely? … maybe not ! In this article we look at some surprising evidence.
Good King Wenceslas – The Story behind the Carol
Good King Wenceslas is more than just a popular, jaunty Christmas Carol, it encompasses a true story of a man who was made a saint by the Catholic Church.
Pivotal Moments : November 27 1095 – The Pope orders Crusade
There are key moments in history when on the decisions and actions of men the course of human history is changed forever. November 27 1095 was such a day. It was the day on which Pope Urban II made perhaps the most influential speech of the Middle Ages calling for crusade in the Holy land.
The Tipping Point – The Day Rome Embraced Christianity
Christianity has shaped Western society and the way we perceive the world. In this article we look at the event that propelled a dynamic new religion to official state sponsored religion.
Popes, Protests and Protestants : Martin Luther and his legacy
The period know as the Reformation came about largely due to the actions and corrupt practices of the medieval Catholic Church. The split started when a German Monk named Martin Luther, who was so disgusted with the behaviour of Catholic clerics, initiated what we would call today a ‘Back to Basics’ campaign. In this article we look at what happened at this seminal moment in Church history.
Was Jesus really born on the 25th December?
Was Jesus born on December 25? There is no real evidence for this date. So then we must ask is, who and when was it decided that Jesus’ birth would be celebrated on this date? Secondly when was it really ?
The Magi – a new revelation ?
An ancient document found in the Vatican archives has cast new light on the story of the Nativity and the Three Wise Men. The document called “The Revelation of the Magi” is an 8th century copy of an earlier one dated to the 2nd or 3rd century AD
Christmas Traditions Around the World
Christmas is probably the time of year when, certainly in the West, there is an overwhelming plethora of traditions and practices that each culture likes to embrace. Many are similar but there is also a huge range of completely different ones.
The Spread of Christianity in the Ancient World
They were unlikely leaders. Most knew more about mending nets than winning converts. Yet 2,000 years later, all over the world, the apostles are still drawing people in.
New Year in Different Cultures
News Year Eve in the West means December 31st. However for a large part of the World this isn’t the prelude to a new Year.
Who is Father Christmas ?
Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Santa Claus, Sinterklass … whatever you call him he has a rich set of folklore and traditions surrounding him. But are they even the same person ?
Anno Domini – Origin of the Western Calendar
Anno Domini or “the year of our Lord” is the dating system we use in the West and is all but the de-facto world standard for chronology. But when and how was it calculated and what was in use prior to this dating system in western Europe ?
