Holiday News.

 

On this day and every day, we celebrate the birth, death, resurrection, and sacrifice of one person. He lived in the Levant or in the Middle East, and his actions changed the world. During that time (which was after the age of the Maccabees and before the 2nd Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans which was prophesized by the Lord Jesus Christ in the book of Matthew), the imperialistic Roman Empire dominated the Jewish people and other groups of people in colonialism and authoritarianism, and forced many people to worship their false gods, from Jupiter to Mars. Still, heroic Jewish people (among the 12 tribes) worshiped God in the Second Temple, refused to worship false Roman gods, and supported their families. In Israel, Joseph and Mary lived in Israel and were involved in the Roman census according to the New Testament. The angel Gabriel told Mary that she had Emmanuel, or God with us, in her womb. When Mary gave birth to Yeshua ben Yoseph, the world changed of forever. Jesus Christ was unique and spoke revolutionary words like The Kingdom of God is within you and bless those who curse you. He told the Pharisees that he who is without sin cast the first stone in stopping them from stoning Mary Madgelene to death for the act of adultery. Jesus told Mary Madgelene to sin no more. Jesus Christ's followers were the Apostles who preached the Gospel filled with the Golden Rule, to not hate your enemies, and to comfort the poor and suffering. In fact, Jesus Christ said that he preached the good news to the poor and the oppressed. He confronted those in power, like getting rid of the people in the Temple who were gambling in the Temple. Yeshua ben Yoseph believed in the separation of church and state, opposed murder, and wanted a high standard of character promoted among the human race. 

Jesus Christ's existence has been confirmed by the Bible, Josephus, the Talmud, Roman scholars, and other researchers. The Edomite Herod the Great persecuted many Jewish people and even allowed the authorities to behead John the Baptist. Yeshua was betrayed by Judas, and he was sentenced to death by crucifixion. He was beaten, mocked, and ridiculed before he was placed on the cross to be crucified. Roman soldiers gambled near the cross in a blasphemous way. Jesus Christ was innocent, but He bore the burden for all the sins of the whole world in His ultimate sacrifice to redeem human souls. After three days, he rose from the dead, and the Apostle Thomas and other people saw him. He ascended into Heaven from Jerusalem. Back then, the Roman Empire spread from Britian, North Africa, and to Iran (in millions of square miles). In less than 500 years after the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Roman Empire ended. It has been almost 2,000 years since the resurrection of Jesus Christ and Pentecost, but we certainly are inspired to show compassion, show strength, give forgiveness, follow self-control, and be a light in the world. 

Now, in the end of 2025, we face real issues of evil, xenophobia, oppression laws, racism, and the corruption found in the MAGA movement. Today, not centuries ago, we face a person in the White House who desires American history to be whitewashed, murder against people in boats accused of being drug dealers without adequate due process of the law, and a tariff policy that hasn't decreased grocery prices and prices of other items. We want the poor, the marginalized, the refugees, and other human beings to have peace and justice. That is why I will forever believe in living wages, union rights, environmental protections, racial equality, an end to sexism, and compassion for immigrants. This time of the year also is about recognizing the fact that everything is not about us. All of us have to sacrifice our time to help people and be selfless in blessing yourself plus others and understanding that we are all connected as human beings.

During this time of this time of the year, it is important to recognize what is important. What is most important doesn't deal with fame, fortune, or ego. It has to deal with your family, friends, and loved ones. It also deals with the values of integrity, justice, loyalty, and a sense or purpose in your life. You only have one life to live. It's best to grow, learn from errors, strengthen your positive attributes, and seek fundamental improvement. During this holiday season, we are always reminded that courage and heroism can be unsung. Anyone can achieve greatness behind the scenes. That form of greatness can be helping a neighbor, assisting the elderly, helping the homeless, and sacrificing your time to bless someone else without seeking fanfare. Some people advocate common ground on issues. The truth is more complex. I agree with supporting common ground to a point. There is always a line that shouldn't be crossed. In other words, eliminating my history from museums, banning books from public libraries, promoting illegal policies, and promoting bigotry has nothing to do with common ground. These beliefs are just plain evil and archaic in a free and open society. Therefore, we must love our neighbors and use discernment to stand for the truth in a compassionate, just fashion.

Days ago was the Birthday of the late Sister Madam C. J. Walker. She was an icon and represented the blueprint of black self-determination. She was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. She was the first woman self-made millionaire in America, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. She was born in Louisiana during the early years of Reconstruction. Her parents were Owen and Minerva Breedlove. She had 5 siblings. She lived in Vicksburg, Mississippi, at the age of 10 years old. She attended church and took Sunday school literacy lessons. She was a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She developed a hair care business. She supported the NAACP, the National Association of Colored Women, W.E.B. DuBois, and Booker T. Washington. Her company's business market expanded beyond America to Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Panama, and Costa Rica. She gave thousands of dollars to charities throughout her life. Her daughter was A'Leila Walker, and her great-great-granddaughter was A'Leila Bundles (who is an author, scholar, and social activist).

Rest in Power Sister Madam C.J. Walker.

By Timothy