Police said a witness to the assault moved the stroller to the aspect of the road and waited there until police arrived, consistent with court records.

William Joseph Kelly Jr., 21, of 1442 E. Sixth St., Bethlehem, is charged with straightforward assault, endangering the welfare of kids, harassment and reckless endangerment. he’s in Northampton County prison below $10,000 bail.

Around 6:15 p.m., police were referred to as to a parking zone within the four hundred block of Heckewelder Place. The victim, Zuleima Pou, had redness and bruising on her face and back. Pou said Kelly shoved her into objects, inflicting bruising.

Pou told police that Kelly started a verbal argument with her regarding relationship problems. Court records did not indicate the link between Kelly and Pou.

A witness told police she saw Kelly “violently shove” Pou into a wall, into a fence and push her to the bottom.

During the alleged assault, police said Kelly was holding an infant in his arms. A second child was in an exceedingly stroller that was left unattended.

Police said the assault happened regarding 1/2 block aloof from where the stroller was and Kelly wouldn’t allow Pou to go near the stroller.

A news unleash didn’t give a time for the theft, but said it happened within the parking zone of an house on Keystone Avenue. The victim was Eddie Pena, 41, of Allentown, police said.

Police said the armed men took an undisclosed amount of money and jewelry from Pena and the investigation is ongoing.

Both suspects are in their early 20s and Hispanic, police said.

The first man was skinny, wore a baseball cap and sunglasses. He had a tattoo with large letters from his left elbow to his wrist.

The second man was shorter and conjointly had sunglasses. He was sporting a baseball cap and red shorts.

Signs of Christmas, such what he saw Joseph and Mary, seeking albeit uncomfortable, but at least warm and sheltered from the winds of space for the birth of first child – a blue sky, gazing skyward with cypresses, crowds in the narrow streets of Bethlehem, the city of David.

“Here, in this City, we are in a different sense of the New Year holiday because Orthodox believers do not imitate those who dress in clothing of mythical animals, do not imitate their way of life, and really hoping for someone who can give a bright future well-being and health. Here every believer feels in her new family, he is experiencing a rebirth with the whole Church. And so Christmas can rightly be considered the birthday of every believer, “- says the father Theophanes, Abbot, deputy chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical mission in Jerusalem.

Everything else came later. Tradition of giving gifts in imitation of Oriental Magi and Nicholas saints, supports the Greek Archimandrite Eusebius, distributing gifts to children saints from a large plastic bag.

“I congratulate her on behalf of all Russian pilgrims to the Holy Land and those who for various reasons could not come to Jerusalem, but, God willing, will come later”, – bless my father, Eusebius, arhimadrit.

Mandatory on this day the thunder of drums, flutes, singing, discordant Jingle bells of brass bands, where since the days of British rule still prevail bagpipes – the tradition of the twentieth century.

“We are pleased that at Christmas in Bethlehem comes to town every year more and more pilgrims, they become messengers of peace for our country. And we try to do everything to the land of Palestine Russian guests feel comfortable, safe and festive,” – explains the Cold Daybey Abu Daeh, Minister of Tourism Palestinian national administration.

Add a festive mood local Christian schools, each brings to the area of your Christmas party drummers, and on Christmas Eve where you can observe the highest concentration of percussion instruments in the Middle East.

“We note the three Christmas in a year: in December, with the Catholics, now with the Orthodox and a few days later with the Armenian church. And it’s always a holiday for all city residents – and Christians, and Muslims,” – glad Victor Batarsa, the mayor of Bethlehem.

Muezzin singing from a nearby minaret is woven into the Christmas hymns and psalms orchestras Scouts of the clergy to accompany the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos. For pilgrims from Russia, it is obvious proof of a Christmas miracle, when peace on earth and goodwill to men.

“For many, this is the first time, people overflowing happiness, they are filled with joy from the fact that there are in places where the dream of visiting all my life” – says Father George, a pilgrim.

“All is well with a prayer. And the Lord granted to us on his birthday arrived, and we are very happy,” – says Anthony Semenov, pilgrim from Yekaterinburg.

At low, so that you can enter only with a bow, the gates of the temple of Christmas – pandemonium, but not crush. There was no case to a large Palestinian police had at Christmas to use force and demonstrate power.

As once the shepherds at the call of an angel, so today, the believers, but not one, but thousands of believers in Palestine, Greece, Serbia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldavia and, of course, Russia, came to the cave today – under the arches of the oldest of revered shrine for Christians to celebrate the most important for them birthday.

The patriarch, introduced Kawase, Spreading the crowd noise of metal staves, the church begins to burn incense, Christmas comes into its own. From the beginning in Bethlehem, and later throughout the world….

Image source

Santa Claus (Father Christmas or St. Nicholas) is a mythical figure created as a tool to encourage good behavior in children; however, children in Hungary, Bavaria and particularly Austria have every reason to be scared aside from being included in Santa’s naughty list.  As Santa’s evil twin, Krampus’ main job is to punish children who have misbehaved, in contrast to Santa who give presents to good children.  Krampus Night is celebrated on the December 5th, the eve of St. Nicholas Day, when young men dress up as Krampus in some of the most frightening devil-like costumes conceivable, and roam the streets frightening children as well as adults with rusty bells and rods.

Caganer

Image source

Traditional Christmas decorations often involve the setting up of the Belen, which is quite comparable to the nativity scenes in English-speaking nations except that it encompasses the entire village of Bethlehem rather than just the usual manger scene.   A unique feature of Belens in Italy, Portugal and especially Catalonia of Spain is a figurine called a Caganer (literally “Shitter”), a porcelain model of man with trousers down and in the act of defecation.  Though the exact origin of the centuries-old tradition is lost, it is often cited that placing a man in the act of excreting waste symbolizes the fertilization of the earth for a bountiful harvest.

Kentucky Fried Chicken

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Typical Christmas celebrations in Asia are normally patterned after western traditions, so for the Japanese people, traditional Christmas feast is–Kentucky Fried Chicken.   The practice is so well promoted that advance reservations may be needed to eat at KFC.  Christmas in Japan is also celebrated as a couple’s holiday that stresses the importance of romantic love, thus, it is a day when sweethearts and couples spend time together and exchange gifts.

Rollerskates

In Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, the streets are closed off to vehicular traffic on Christmas Eve so that the locals can attend mass by roller skating to church.

Pudding

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Pudding plays a very essential part in the Christmas traditions of Great Britain.  Traditional Christmas pudding is made of dried fruits and nuts, much like a fruit cake; and it is usually moistened with brandy or other alcohol, flamed in a dimly lit room, and brought to the table in a ceremonious manner.   Every member of a household would take turns to make a wish while mixing the ingredients, which must be stirred in a clockwise direction in order for their wish to come true.

Broom

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According to Norwegian ancient belief, witches and evil spirits would emerge on Christmas Eve to steal brooms to ride the skies.  Thus, on Christmas Eve, all the brooms and similar cleaning implements are hidden and men would fire their shotguns outside their houses to frighten these menacing creatures away.

La Befana       

Image source

In Italian folklore, a kindly old and ugly witch named La Befana travels around town on her broomstick on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany (the night of January 5), delivering presents and candies to good children or a lump of coal, actually a dark candy, to bad ones.  It was said that the Vatican propagated the myth of La Befana when they were unable to prove the existence of Santa Claus. Another Christian legend takes on a different storyline: La Befana was an ordinary woman grief-stricken by the death of her beloved child.  Upon learning of Jesus’ birth, she searched for the child believing that he was her son. She eventually found Jesus and presented him with many gifts. The infant Jesus was pleased and bestowed on her a gift in return that she would be the mother of all children in Italy.

Mumming

The Latvians practice a very odd but wonderfully delightful Christmas tradition known as mumming.   Mummers would parade down the streets, wearing an assortment of masks that customarily include faces of horses, bears, cows, and amusingly, living corpses. 

The word parol or Christmas lantern is derived from the Spanish farol which means street lamp or lantern. It is a traditional Christmas decoration in the Philippines next only to the Christmas tree in terms of popularity. The usually five-pointed star lantern symbolizes the star in the Biblical account that guided the three magi to Bethlehem to pay homage to infant Jesus. Lanterns are usually sold by mid November, and the increase of demand and sales start by the beginning of December.                                  Image via Wikipedia                                   

The lanterns come in variety of sizes and colors. Some have rings around them, others do not. The frame of the “star’ is made from thin bamboo strips. It is covered or wrapped in a colored transparent crepe paper. The ring is made of a larger bamboo strip that is bent into a circle. The ring may be totally round or an incomplete circle. It maybe wrapped in old newspapers or any paper to make the surface round and thicker. It is then coiled with cut rice papers with loops pattern to cover entire length of the ring. Tassels of thin strip of papers are hung at the point connecting the bottom tips of the “star” and the ring. The tassels or tails of the “star” signify its “ray”. Usually, the upper half of the length of the tassels are swathed with a decoratively cut paper. There are lanterns that have only one tail when they have a ring with full circle. Blinking lights are usually placed on the surface of the “star” or around its ring. Although the parol is literally a lantern, great numbers are made with no lights. Christmas lanterns are not displayed in the house but outdoors. They are usually hung from the eaves.

Image via Wikipedia

Making Christmas lantern is a folk craft in the Philippines. Some people make it as seasonal means of livelihood in the months of November and December. Prisoners of Misamis Oriental jail are allowed by the provincial authorities to make lantern to enable them to earn income for their families during the Christmas season.

Star-shaped lanterns come in variety of prices and designs from the intricately made to the simplest. Adults usually design and make them, but children are also capable of doing them. In the Philippines especially in the rural areas it is a common practice to hold a parol or Christmas lantern making contest in public halls or grounds and in the elementary school campuses just before Christmas break.

Related articles:

Love, the Essence of Christmas

http://socyberty.com/holidays/love-the-essence-of-christmas/

The Story of First Christmas

http://relijournal.com/christianity/the-story-of-first-christmas/

image source

In fact the news of Jesus’ birth evoked a mixed reaction.  An angel brought “good tidings of great joy.”  The shepherds and wisemen welcomed the Savior.  In the palace, King Herod was not at all happy about it.  He was so troubled and insecure that he intended to destroy the baby Jesus.  The religious leaders of that day were indifferent to the event that happened in a manger in an inn. They sent no delegation to Bethlehem to find out what happened. 

Still today, thousands honor Jesus and rejoice in their salvation.  But many others hate Him.  They make efforts to outlaw singing of Christmas carols in shopping malls and display of nativity scenes in public places.  Many others are simply apathetic.  They just go along with the commotions and celebrations of the season.  They eat, they get drunk, they buy and receive gifts also (mind you), but never really ask themselves who Jesus is or why He came.  

Christmas happened because someone was sent to earth to give us a gift.  Are we among the indifferent?  Do we accept or de we reject? If not, what are we celebrating then?  Christmas demands a decision about Christ. The choice is yours.

image source 

Christmas is the most awaited by any person who loves Christianity.  A great way to celebrate Christmas is by decorating a Christmas tree and people celebrate all over the world so the Christmas tree is also decorated in many different ways.

People mostly use a real evergreen coniferous tree as a Christmas tree. Usually at the top of the Christmas tree a star is put to show the star which led the way for the three kings when Jesus was born according to Christianity.  Mostly people use a real tree as a Christmas tree but in some places people also use an artificial tree as a Christmas tree.

Image via Wikipedia

People celebrate Christmas all around the world and the best way to wish a merry Christmas to anyone around the world is by using a card. Now people have started using Christmas cards more and more because the festival is getting more popular. Christmas cards are even used by many non- Christians. When a person sends a Christmas card then the common quote is “wish you merry Christmas and a happy new year”.

Christmas lights is also another popular way of celebrating Christmas and many people exercise this form of celebrating Christmas even those who are non- Christian or in countries like Japan where Christmas is not very popular. The conventional for of Christmas lights always include a star which represents the star of Bethlehem. This star is mostly placed on top of the Christmas tree.

The best way to celebrate and rejoice Christmas is by singing Christmas songs or better known as Christmas carols. Christmas music is usually different in different countries because of the language difference but some of the most famous Christmas carols always remain the same. A few very famous Christmas carols are “O come all ye faithful”, “silent night”, “feliz navidad” and “joy to the world”

Christmas gifts are a very popular way of celebrating Christmas among family and relatives. Christmas gifts are sent from one country to another in order to give Christmas greetings to friends and relatives.

The main reason why we all celebrate Christmas is because Lord Jesus was born on the 25 of December and we celebrate his birth by the name of Christmas. According to the Christmas story mother marry was told by an angel that she will have a child and she will name him Jesus. Jesus was born in a manger and three great kings came to give gifts to him but as they did not know the way, they were led by the star of Bethlehem.

”Popular name for Bethlem or Bethlehem Hospital. It was founded in London in1247 as a religious house and went on to become a home for the insane, the first one in the country, in 1403. In1676 it was moved from Bishopsgate to Moorefield and in 1815 to Lambeth. There it remained until 1930, when new buildings were erected at Monks Orchard, Beckenham….”

No mention of ‘pandemonium’ or ‘state of wild uproar and confusion’.

So how did ‘bedlam’ come to mean uproar and confusion?

It is most probable, and widely believed that over the years there has been a verbal corruption of Bethlehem to Bethlem to Bedlam. The word was used in the 1500s by William Tyndale to mean a madman. (Source: New Advent)

In 1247, just outside the walls of the city, the monks from the order of St Mary of Bethlehem founded a priory on land given to them by merchant Simon FitzMary.

It is thought that around the early 1300s the poor and the sick were being cared for there – Bethlehem being Hebrew for “house of bread”.

In1330 it was granted a license to collect alms as a hospital.

By 1405 it’s known that the ‘insane’ were being cared for there, through a reference in a Royal Commission

From this caring start it would appear that from around the middle of the 16th century, when it was handed over to the City of London, some of the Keepers (managers) were somewhat patient-care less orientated. There are descriptions of the inmates making a terrible noise described by one source as “so hideous, so great that they are more able to drive a man that hath his wits rather out of them” and of patients being restrained with chains.

Even when it moved to new premise in1675 things didn’t get any better, and by the 18th century it became a form of entertainment to visit the asylum to view the poor wretches. One source quotes that the visitors could “laugh at their antics, generally of a sexual nature or violent fights” or even poke them with sticks.

The financial accounts show that in one year alone visitors generated £400 at one penny per visitor. Pre decimalisation, there were 240 pennies in the British pound, so that equates to 96,000 visitors in one year!

Thankfully things have changed over the years.

From 1851 there have been regular government inspections and the Royal Bethlehem Hospital continues to this day with the highest standard of mental health care.

So the next time somebody says “it’s like Bedlam in here”, poke them with a stick!

Images

1. The Rakes Progress by William Hogarth
2. Bethlehem Hospital 1675
3. Inside The Hospital from the Museum of London
4. Picture by David Beales- patient Image Source

Also by C.Jordan

The Mystery of The Doll That Grew Old in The Attic

Rev 1:10

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

(KJV)

God has never spoken to me quite that way. But I was in the Weiglestown SureFine (Pennsylvanians will recognize that as a grocery store) on the Lord’s day when a song that I have not heard in years came rolling back. When that happens often God wants to get my attention and show something to me. Sometimes it is to show a concept that has been correctly followed in the church and sometimes it is to show me how we have followed our own ways.

“My Religion is not Old Fashioned, but it’s real genuine.
Two and two make four together, As it did in my Lord’s time,
Modern days don’t make a difference, You can’t alter truth or time,
My Religion is not Old Fashioned, but it is real genuine.” Writer: Stuart Hamblen

And I began to wonder about this. Even with the credentials of Stuart Hamblen; and they are impressive, when I hear a song, a teaching, a sermon, a book, I “check it out with the word.” In case you don’t know, that is the Word of God, the Bible. If I can’t find a couple of scriptures that CLEARLY support the song in proper context, I stow it. If I find one that CLEARLY contradicts it, I dump it. That goes for songs, teachings, internet postings, sermons, books, prophecies, utterances of apostles. Nobody alive has the credentials to bypass this check. Not Billy Graham, not the pope, not anyone.

And I started to mull over in my mind Hamblen’s words. Yes, my religion is not Old Fashioned. Sure it is close to 2000 years old. But it is as viable today as it was when after speaking in tongues Peter got up on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2 in case you didn’t notice) and declared that our sons and daughters would prophecy. It kinda blows the “no women in ministry” teachings, doesn’t it? I have seen that. It is as alive today as it was when the Apostle Paul stood before King Agrippa and said, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” (Acts 26:19)

It is as real as the day Peter saw the sheet lowered and was told to eat the food once forbidden him as unclean. (Acts 10:11) Yes, “my Religion is not Old Fashioned, but it is real genuine.” And it is as real as the day that Paul and Peter divided the church, Peter to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles. (Yes, Paul is the father of the Gentile church, not Peter. Read the letters they wrote to the churches.) (Gal 2:7) My religion is both timeless and timely.

Sure many things have changed since that time. The earth was thought to be flat when Peter preached that sermon in Jerusalem. They thought the earth was the center of the universe. They thought light traveled instantly. But on that day two plus two was four. On that day Jesus was Lord. Today we know the earth is almost round. The earth is not the center of the universe and neither is the sun. Light travels a paltry 186,000 miles a second. (Job 38:19 has a verse that talks about light in its way so God knew about it all the time.) But two plus two is still four. Jesus is still Lord.

What has not changed? Truth. Man’s concept of the shape of the earth, its location and the speed of light changed. Man’s concepts have changed but then they are always subject to change. But two plus two is four and Jesus is Lord are truth. They are and will be true. You can’t alter truth. I rarely quote the secular but Winston Churchill said it so well.

“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” Winston Churchill

No matter what you try to do with it, truth will still be there staring you in the face. The statement by Churchill is certainly supported by scripture. But there are those who say. “Times are different today.” People today cite the shaky economy, the perilous world situation, corruption in government, corruption in business, corruption in the church, disease, greed, strife, hatred, malice, just to mention a few.

But in my nearly 60 years there have been other times of shaky economy. There have been times of uncertainty. We had government corruption and immorality that went to the White House long before Nixon, Clinton or Johnson. We had the cold war, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and a host of others. These things are not new.

I maintain that times are no more perilous today than they have been for the last 2000 years because we are, and have been in the last days since the day Peter stood and preached the church’s first sermon. And there is no scriptural foundation for the last of the last days concept nor can we say it is even soon. But that is looking at the condition of the world.

Let me ask you this. What do you believe? Is God faithful to His Word?

Num 23:19

19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

(KJV)

And if He is faithful, then what is the meaning of all this that surrounds us? King David spoke words of wisdom and praise to God when he said,

Ps 37:25

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

(KJV)

The writer of Hebrews went further.

Heb 13:5-6

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

(KJV)

“My religion is not old fashioned. It is real genuine.” It was not conceived at some council of man or some meeting of the political leaders of a church but at the throne of God. It was not handed down by some human line but by the Holy Spirit. It is as timely, and as timeless today as it was in 33 AD. It is as relevant as it was when the two men walked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13)

It is as powerful to protect us as it was when the three walked in the fiery furnace and then there were four, and one was as like the Son of God. (Dan 3) It is as real as it was the day Stephen looked up and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the father. (Acts 7:59) It is as real as the day a tent blew away in Texas while 12,000 people worshipped God and none were hurt. It is as real as it was in 1972 when we escaped the flood of Agnus. Yes God is alive and real today.

Let me ask this. Why are we cast down? Why is our countenance grim? Why do we read the news of gloom with fear?

Rom 8:31

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

(KJV)

There are many today who look at the current situation and their hearts are filled with fear. They point to the wickedness of many in America. I see the situation through the eyes of the scripture. I see those who have not soiled their garments with the things of the world, the ones who have not kissed the alters of Baal. I too look at the forces arrayed against us.

Most of those who oppose us are of the faith that denies that Jesus is the Christ. They deny that He is the slain Lamb. Some refuse to recognize that He is the Risen Son of God. Some deny that He is the Son of God, calling Him a mere prophet, one of their 124,000 prophets. I am watchful but I do not fear those who hold these doctrines of devils either inside or outside the church.

II Jn 1:7

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

(KJV)

This is a practical definition of those who follow the hateful, thieving, murdering, polygamous, pedophile Mohammed.

Gal 1:8-9

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

(KJV)

1 Cor 12:3

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

(KJV)

I do not fear the hosts of this world who place their trust in a God that is not alive. I do not hold any reverence for those in the church who deny the Deity, power or authority of Jesus the Christ. I am reminded of the prophet when the city of Samaria was surrounded.

II Ki 6:14-18

14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

(KJV)

There is something that I once wondered about in this passage. Why was it so important to the prophet to let the servant see the Armies of the Lord? The prophet could see them They could do their work without the young man seeing them. But the prophet did ask God to show the armies to him and those armies were as real as the armies that surrounded the city. Let me give you the answer I hold for myself by faith in God. The young man was in fear for his life. The prophet showed him the army that was there to protect them. By doing that God took the fear out of the camp of the prophet.

My prayer to God this day is that He will open my eyes to more fully see the protection he has prepared for those who love him. Sure I pray that He will open the eyes of others but I have to make sure I see properly. I pray that he will open our eyes so we see the harvest fields that are white for the harvest. I hear people saying that the fields are white (ready) today. They are. They have been for nearly 2000 years. The church has neglected portions of the harvest. It was allowed to lay in the fields and spoil.

Truly the harvest is ripe but the labors are few. Too many have set in ivory towers on their laurels of honor while the harvest spoiled in the field. It has been that way for 2000 years. Nothing has changed. Let us see the need for those to go and labor in the fields. It can be anywhere. Let us see the risen Christ in his fullness. And let us see the Armies of the Lord are more than those who are against us. Let us no longer fear the 400,000 of the ACLU.

Let us see that the faith of our fathers is living still, in spite of dungeon fire and sword. Let us see the faith of our fathers can be strong in times that are good or bad. For that to happen we must have that faith of our fathers in our hearts. My religion is not old fashioned. It is still in vogue for any who will call on the Lord. It is real, genuine.

Other Articles by Ralph Brandt

Churches That Get Government Money

Financial Help in These Trying Times

Anonymous and Irresponsible: the Radical Left

The Comparison of the Assassinations of Kennedy and Lincoln

Relationship of Church and State

I’m Going on
Compromise in the Church
Come Away My Beloved
Communion
Contradictions – Science and Religion