GOD of heaven came into this world. The only historic man who differentiated and partitioned the history into two epochs. His wonders sojourned in every generation. His birth gives the good news. Celebration of Christmas should not be an active participation of vain ritual, although the whole world is grooming into it.

Both the cherry faces and the shrunken eyes are in the midst of illusion. Yet we cannot deny the solution of melted soul, as well as the provision of God made for the sinner. We can hear the rejoicing sound the jingle bell, the tiny crystal star, Snowy of fairy Christmas trees, windy of season chills, brooks of invitation and fancy dream. All these are painting of sepulcher.

GOD is not mocked (Galatians 6:7) Celebration and merry or not to celebrate is not a question, rather, to accept him as a saviour is the gospel of Christmas.

From the very beginning the reasoning sound of celebration stand in history which was performed by the Persian king with that historic and spiritual acknowledgements they brought their gift as gold, frankincense and myrrh, which symbolises the Christ identity and what he would accomplish. The gold symbolised his royalty. Frankincense his deity and myrrh his burial.

The fulfillment of prophecy and these are the historical metaphoric shadows where one can see the fervor of celebration.

The saviour of the world came into this earth to save sinner he was conceived by holy spirit.”…in the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was God. And the word was made flesh (Jesus Christ) and dwelt among us.(John 1:1,14)

So each human is in need of divine origin. Every soul is wounded by their own sin. And consequently sin brought the eternal damnation but here is a good news that the birth of Christ Jesus takes away the sin of the whole world.

He came to eliminate the veil of enmity between the God and men. He is a bridge between God and men. Hence Christmas could be celebrate only with Jesus Christ.

If Christ is within us then Christmas springs forth its meaning. Otherwise if Christ is outside, then the bell of vanity will only resonate.

Writes: Tabita Rai. Mt. Pisgah Prayer House, Darjeeling

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The foundation, which was started by an Ireland born nurse Edith Wilkins in 2003, when she had come to Darjeeling for a visit, and was heartbroken at realizing that Darjeeling didn’t have adequate shelter homes and orphanages. Edith herself started by donating her money to start the home, and later raising funds from family and friends, and through charity events organized in different parts of Ireland.

Her foundation has served over 2500 children over the years. Currently they have over 500 children in their system.

We request all our Readers to KINDLY DONATE for his noble cause.

You can do so by visiting: http://edithwilkinsfoundation.org/

You can contact them at: edithwilkins54@gmail.com

St. Joseph’s College, Dept of English Post-Graduate Students at Edith Wilkins Street Children Foundation

[TheDC News Desk Special Report]

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The competition consisted of recording an original Christmas Carol in Nepali language and placing it in Radio Salesian FB page for voting which ended on Saturday 30 December 2017 at 4.00 pm.

The 10 member team that got the maximum likes is St Paul’s Parish Kurseong youth group which performed “Manavko Avtar Lyai” carol lyrics and music composed by Mr Peter Lepcha. They got 273 likes, 127 shares and 4k views.

Ten member St Theresa’s Parish Sonada youth group became the second winners bagging 223 likes, 102 shares and 4.8k views. Dr Terence Mukhia composed both music and lyrics of “Nazarethko Bethlehemma” carol.

Third prize went to Church of Jesus Christ for their carol entitled “Nishkalank Avatar Balak” composed by Pastor Peter Lepcha. It had 201 likes, 36 shares and 1.2k views

“This year, besides certificates, we are also offering cash prizes through the generous sponsorship of St Theresa’s Parish Sonada and Wang’s Restaurant Soanda” says Radio Salesian Director Fr. C.M. Paul.

Program Coordinator at Radio Salesian RJ Samir Chhetri explains, “The Carol competition consisted of creating one original Nepali Christmas Carol by a team of ten or fewer members including musicians.”

Among the five groups which won are Nepali Brothers of Salesian College and Nitya Sayeka Mata Church Mamring who secured fourth and fifth positions respectively.

The winning teams may collect certificates and cash prizes from Radio Salesian Studios from 2nd to 5th January 2018, between 9am to 3pm. END

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Sonada, Darjeeling — A youth group from Sonada parish became the first church group to start the Jingle Bells Season 2 in the hills to record original Christmas Carol composition in the Nepali language entitled: Nazarethko Bethlehamma.

Both lyrics and music are composed by Campus Coordinator and HoD Philosophy Dept at Saleisan College Soanda Dr Terence Mulkhia.

The 10-member choir under the leadership of Mr Savio Giri recorded the carol at Radio Salesian studio on 9 December, becoming the first team to enter the inter-church carol competition running into its second year.

“This year, besides certificates, we are also offering cash prizes through the generous sponsorship of St Theresa’s Parish Sonada,” says Radio Salesian Director Fr. C.M. Paul.

Program Coordinator at Radio Salesian RJ Samir Chhetri explains, “The Carol competition consists of creating one original Nepali Christmas Carol by a team of ten or fewer members including musicians.”

RJ Samir reminds, “The last date for recording songs is Monday 18th December noon.”

Samir adds, “The mode of judging the winners this year is totally internet based.”

Carol Broadcast and voting starts on Radio Saleisan Facebook page on Wednesday 20 December and top three carols getting the highest number of likes will be declared winners.

The Radio Salesian FB page voting ends on Saturday 30 December 2017 at 4.00 pm. The winners will be declared over the radio on Monday 1st January 2018.

Recalling the making of the original carol composition Dr Mukhia says, “I was touched by the concept of the competition that I went home, sat at my desk, prayed and the lyrics and tune just came to me.”

Last Sunday, first Sunday of Advent, after Eucharist, parish youth group consisting of parish youth studying at colleges in Sonada, Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kurseong came together and practised the carol which was recorded on 9 December 2017.

“It was a joyous experience to put together the carol with friends. It brought me peace and joy,” says first-year Economics student at St Joseph College Darjeeling Manisha Marina Bhitrikotti commenting on Carol recording experience.

President of St Theresa Parish Sonada Youth Club 3rd year Political Science student at Saleisan College Miss Shikha Gurung was grateful to have had the experience of recording her first song in a studio.

For recording schedule reservations please contact RJ Samir 7098273650.

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