Reflection #9: The Incarnation of God

The First Noel

The first noel, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the the East, beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel

This star drew night to the northwest
Over Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel

Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel

     In the Christmas carol, The First Noel, Jesus is depicted as the King of Israel. In the movie, The Nativity Story, Jesus was shown as son of God.. The carol shows what happened around Jesus while at birth and after his birth. It showed how shephered received Angel's message, how the light shown from the sky to where Jesus was born, how three astrologers followed the star, and how three astrologers presented the three gifts to Jesus.

     The last verse shows when three astrologers, depicted as three wise men, present three things to Jesus when he was just born. The three things were gold, myrrh, and frankincense. Those three things have meanings behind them. The gold represents kingship, frankincense represents priestship, and myrrh represents sacrifice. The three astrologers, who traveled from afar, kneeled as they presented the gift to Jesus. In addition, Noel means birth; therefore, this song was about Jesus’s first noel.

     Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and Persian astrologers took different parts in the story. Mary was obviously important because she gave birth to Jesus while being pure. She was the birth mother of Jesus. Even though Joseph wasn’t Jesus’s birth father, Joseph was important because he looked for a place for Mary to give birth and received Jesus when he was born. He also took care of Mary while she was pregnant with Jesus. Furthermore, shepherds were important because one of them lends space for Mary and James and because they received Angel’s message and they were lead to witness the birth of son of god or King of Israel. The three astrologers were important because they traveled all the way by following the stars from Persia to Bethlehem to witness the king of Israel’s birth. They also presented Jesus three things: gold, myrrh, and frankincense.

     Jesus is Son of God, a messiah, and prophet. He was described as self sacrificing, wise, and compassionate. His mother, a virgin, was believed to receive a baby in her womb by God. If the story was true, I believe God chose this method to send his son through human form to show God’s love and compassion toward human beings. Furthermore, it gave connection to God and humanity as Jesus was son of God in human form.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives

Modern Religious Experience: 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 fr..."

Article from CNN: Family waits to see if mother, accused of blasphemy, will be hanged
Asia Bibi, 45 years old Christian woman, was sentenced to death because she broke strict Pakistan blasphemy law. Asia insulted Islamic belief and the prophet, Muhammad. When Asia dipped her cup in the bucket of drinking water, her co-workers, who are Muslims, insulted Asia by saying that she contaminated the water because she was non-Muslim. Asia in response, said that Muhammad was no real prophet. There apparently were witnesses; therefore, she was sentenced for 15 months in prison and finally to death. There were no teachings that a person should executed for blasphemy in Koran and in Hadith. Such rule was added by Islamic jurors and thinkers. The government was unable to take back its decision because they fear the consequences they will get from Muslims. Asia’s daughter misses her mother and thinks that the whole thing is just wrong.
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-18/world/pakistan.blasphemy_1_islamic-law-death-sentence-blasphemy?_s=PM:WORLD

Article from the view of Muslims: CNN whitewashes Islam's death penalty for blasphemy
The Muslim states that people who insults the Islamic view and its prophet, the people should be sentenced to death. They used Koran and Hadith to prove these facts. They say that in Koran it says: "The hypocrites fear lest a Soorah (chapter of the Koran) should be revealed about them, showing them what is in their hearts. Say: '(Go ahead and) mock! But certainly Allah will bring to light all that you fear.” The Muslims believed that those who offend the prophet will become Kaafir and should be executed.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/11/cnn-whitewashes-islams-death-penalty-for-blasphemy.html
The two are different and written in a different perspective. The CNN article emphasize on human right and show how it is not right to judge based on beliefs. On the other hand, article written in the view of Muslims show the importance of following one’s faith. The CNN article claims that in the Koran and Hadith, there is nothing about killing blasphemers. However, the Muslims clearly states that the teaching definitely exists. The CNN puts Islam in a bad position by pitying the family of the victim and by possibly manipulating the fact. The article written by the Muslim shows the weight of blasphemy as a crime.