''Now as many of you are aware Jesus Sacrificed his life I will tell the story of how that came to be, and that this is the reason we celebrate Christmas, for it is not a time for presents, but a time for joy, laughter and spending time your loved ones.'' Father Phillips said with a smile as he began the next story like the last one.
''The chief priests and teachers of the law believed that Jesus was a criminal and needed to be punished. So, early Friday morning they took him to Pilate, who was the governor at he time. Pilate came out from his palace and asked the people, ''What did this man do wrong'' The people replied ''He doesn't pay his taxes to Ceaser! he stirs up trouble with all his teachings. He even claims to be the Christ!''
Pilate looked at Jesus and asked, ''Is this true what the people are saying? Are you the king of Jew?''
''My kingdom is not of this world, but yes, I am a king'' Jesus answered.
Pilate thought about that for a while. Then, he turned to look at the crowd and said, ''I don't' find this man to be a criminal. He has done no wrong!''
But the people insisted. ''He is a criminal. He must be punished by death!''
Later that morning, Pilate called all the people together again and said, ''I have studied the situation well. I still find that Jesus has done nothing wrong. Nevertheless, I will punish Him for you, and then let Him go.''
Upon hearing this, the people demanded that Pilate release another prisoner instead. ''Release Barabbas!'' they shouted.
''Then what should I do with Jesus?'' Pilate asked.
The people all shouted, ''Crucify Him!'' Louder and louder they yelled and chanted. ''Crucify Him, Crucify Him'' over and over.
Finally, Pilate took Jesus into the palace. He didn't want Jesus to be put to death. He didn't' believe Jesus did anything wrong. However, he also didn't' want to make things worse by disagreeing with so many people. He could still hear the people shouting to Crucify Him. Pilate had his soldiers beat him with whips. They made a crown of thorns and put it on His head. The soldiers yelled repeatedly, ''Hail the king of the Jews!'' as they struck him in the face.
Then, the soldiers led Jesus to a place called Golgotha. A large crowd followed, many weeping for Jesus. The soldiers made Jesus carry a heavy wooden cross. Jesus grew tired and weak. The cross was so heavy he fell to the ground. The soldiers grabbed a man named Simon and made him carry the cross part of the way.
When Jesus finally got to the place called Golgotha, the soldiers offered him a drink of wine mixed with something to ease the pain, but Jesus refused to drink it. They nailed Jesus to the cross, and crucified him along with two other criminals. There was one to the right and another to the left.
Jesus looked up and said, ''Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.''
The soldiers made fun of Jesus by saying. ''If he is the Christ, let him save himself!'' But Jesus didn't come to save himself. He came to save us.
The one criminal on his right hurled abuse at him saying ''Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!'' But the other on his left rebuked the one who was taunting Jesus and asked ''Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of the condemnation?''
He then looked at the others and the other criminal ''While we are indeed suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.'' the man wasn't as cruel as the other he saw the innocence in Jesus and asked for forgiveness by asking Jesus to remember him. ''Jesus, remember me when you go to your kingdom!'' The man said with tears in his eyes.
Just before noon, darkness came over the whole land. The sun actually stopped shining. It was dark for several hours. Jesus looked to the man and nodded ''Truly I say to you, today that you shall be with me in Paradise.'' Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ''Father, I give to you my spirit.'' as he took his last breath.
Suddenly, the curtain to the temple ripped from top to bottom and there was a large earthquake. Everyone was terrified, One of the soldiers who watched everything cried out ''It's true he was the Son of God.''
Father Phillips looked out and smiled ''The Bible says, ''For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, his wish he made it so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'' The story of Jesus's death is sad I know, but it is also very important. Jesus didn't do anything wrong. He died on the cross for us. So when we do anything wrong, we should ask Jesus to forgive us, and He will like he did for the two other criminals he begged for them to be forgiven and promised the other one that was kind to Jesus that he would be seeing him in his kingdom thereby giving him forgiveness, also if we are lost, lonely and in need guidance, all you have to do is speak and he shall guide.'' he said smiling.
So this story taught us many things it taught us forgiveness for Joseph still took Mary as his wife and fathered the child that was not his own giving her another chance, it has taught us compassion for Jesus healed and blessed those who were hurt, the story has taught us acceptance for Jesus accepted his fate even though he was innocent and lastly it has taught us love for the love Mary and Jesus's disciples had for him, and hope for Jesus promised the criminal a life in paradise with him thereby giving him hope of a better life and a way to make up for his sins and forgive him for all his wrong doings''
Harry sat there and was touched by the story, although he wasn't' sure he believed in God and there was no proof that this really happened, it still was a nice story.
Father Phillips looked out and smiled ''Now everyone I want you to all take your candles and light it from the one at the altar, then take you lit candle and place it along the altar and think of a loved one, a friend, or even an acquaintance''.
Father Phillips took the first candle and lit it, placing it on the top of the stand, then stepping back and allowing the others to follow.
Harry, Helen and Richard lined up and followed the others whilst chanting the ritual with the others when it was his turn he lit his candle thinking of his mum, dad and Sirius along with all there friends that perished in the war as well as praying that Lyra will be well and get a heart before placing his candle on the altar, he watched as his mother and father did the same.
Hermione placed hers on the alter thinking about her daughter, son parents and Harry along with her other friends and wished Sirius, and both Harry's parents a Happy Christmas before placing it next to her mothers and fathers. ''Ok Matthew your next''
Matthew closed his eyes and thought that he wanted his sister to get well before he placed his next to his mothers and stepped back he watched as Lyra's joined his before she too stepped back.
''Now if you would join in the ritual it is above you on the wall you will all continue with the ritual as you light your candles by repeating the words in bold''
As we light our advent candles
Light of the world, shine on us. [everyone]
As we prepare for Christmas time
Light of the world, shine on us. [everyone]
In this world of pain and darkness,
Light of the world, shine through us. [everyone]
To all the people who don't know you,
Light of the world, shine through us. [everyone]
Jesus you are coming again,
Light of the world, light the way. [everyone]
In our service here today
Light of the world, light the way. [everyone]
''Now come let us all sing some Christmas Carols'' Father Phillips said when everyone returned to their seats ''The words like before will appear on the wall behind me as we sing each carol.''
Harry smiled at Hermione as he joined in the carol he held Matthew in his arms as Hermione held Lyra and began to sing he couldn't' help but think the Choir sounded good and then realised that Hermione must have blown everyone a way for he thought her voice was better than there's.
Hermione and Harry turned and smiled at each other as they continued to sing as she swayed with Lyra she smiled again when she heard the kids singing.
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day.
While shepherds watch their flock by night,
They see a bright new shining star,
They hear a choir sing a song, the music seem to come from afar.
Hermione looked at her parents and smiled as she laughed with them as they all continued to sing she was feeling all Christmassy now as she focussed back on the song.
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.
Mmmmmmm [repeat 10x in high and low tone]
For a moment the world was aglow, all the bells rang out
There were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
"Let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace."
Now Joseph and his wife, Mary, came to Bethlehem that night,
They found no place to bear her child, not a single room was in sight.
And then they found a little nook, in a stable all forlorn,
And in a manger cold 'n' dark, Mary's little boy was born.
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.
Oh a moment still worth was a glow, all the bells rang out
There were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
"let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace".
Hermione and everyone began clapping in time with the ending of the song...
Oh my Lord...
you send your son to save us,
Oh My Lord...
your very self you give to us.
Oh My Lord...
that sin may not enslave us
and love may reign once more.
Oh my Lord...
when in the crib they found him,
Oh my Lord...
a golden halo crowned him.
Oh my Lord...
they gathered all around him, to see him and adore
(he is the truth forever)
Lyra laughed ''I like that song its cool you can dance to it''
''I wonder what their going to sing next mum'' Matthew said
Helen smiled ''I wonder if Father Phillips will make your mother get up there and sing Silent Night, after all she was one of the best and lead singers of the choir he would have her sing it on her own and the others joining in softly''
Harry laughed ''Really''
Hermione sighed ''Yes when I was younger, I doubt it Mother he probably isn't even thinking it''
''Oh look mum they put the next song up'' Lyra said smiling and pointing.
I hope you are all enjoying the bits with the music in, there will be more songs through the story eventually, for there are going to be a few more surprised up our Hermione' sleeve yet, we had one shock by who her Grandfather was and how many relatives she truly had. It's like Harry once said there are many surprises where Hermione is involved. So on with the next Chapter, this will be the second one i posted in the same day you lucky bunch :)
