Some verses for Christmas from the Qur‘an

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For several years, one of my sons wrote occasional articles for the Deseret News, along with Peterson père.  Here’s an interesting and seasonally appropriate article from Peterson fils that appeared in 2010:

“Telling ghost stories is a lost tradition on Christmas Eve”

It seems a rather odd Christmas custom, doesn’t it?

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I thought that, at this Christmas season, some of you might possibly find these passages of interest.  According to Muslim belief, the Qur’an was divinely revealed through the Prophet Muhammad between AD 610 and his death in AD 632.

The Qur’an on the Annunciation of Christ

Behold!  The angels said: “O Mary! Truly God has chosen you and purified you, and chosen you above the women of all the worlds.  O Mary!  Worship your Lord devoutly: Prostrate yourself, and bow down [in prayer] with those who bow down.”  This is some of the news of the unseen that We reveal unto you [O Muhammad]: You were not with them when they cast lots with arrows as to which of them should be entrusted with the care of Mary.  Nor were you with them when they disputed [the point].  Behold!  The angels said: “O Mary! God gives you good news of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, honored in this world and the world to come and among those nearest to God.  He shall speak to the people in the cradle and in maturity. And he shall be among the righteous.”  She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?” He said: “God is like that.  He creates what He wills.  When He decrees a matter, He simply says to it ‘Be,’ and it is!’  And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel, and [appoint him] a messenger to the children of Israel. (Surat al-Imran 3:42-48).

And mention in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to an eastern place.  She took a veil [to veil herself] from them.  Then We sent her our Spirit, and he represented himself to her as a man in all respects.  She said: “I seek refuge from you with the Merciful; [do not touch me] if you are pious.” He said: “I am a messenger from your Lord, to give to you a pure boy.”  She said: “How shall I have a son, since no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?”  He said: “So [it will be].  Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me.  And We will make him a sign unto humanity and a mercy from Us’: It is a matter decreed.” (Maryam 19:16-21)

The Qur’an on the Birth of Christ

So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a distant place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree: She said: “Oh!  Would that I had died before this!  Would that I were forgotten, in oblivion!” But [a voice] cried to her from beneath [the palm-tree]: “Do not be sorrowful!  Your Lord has provided a rivulet beneath you.  Shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards yourself: It will drop fresh ripe dates upon you.  So eat and drink and cool your eye. And if you see anybody, say, ‘I have vowed a fast to the Merciful, and I will not speak with any human being today.’” And then she brought him to her people, carrying him.  They said: “O Mary! truly you have brought an amazing thing! O sister of Aaron!  Your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman!”  So she pointed to him.  They said: “How can we talk to a child in the cradle?”  He said: “Truly I am the servant of God: He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; and He has made me blessed wherever I am, and has enjoined upon me prayer and charity as long as I live; (He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; so peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up alive!” (Maryam 19:22-33)

And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign.  We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs (Al-Mu’minun 23:50).

All translations are mine.

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I include this link here not as an entry into politics but because it’s about Latter-day Saints — so that, I think, other Latter-day Saints will find it interesting:

“Poll: Majority of Utah Mormon Republicans Do Not Believe Trump Should Run for Reelection”

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A book was delivered to our house this evening that is filled with anecdotes and generous comments from a number of my former students and some of my former colleagues.  My wife tells me that she was aware that some such thing was in the works, but I was completely caught by surprise.  It was an unexpected gesture, and a very kind one.  I look forward to reading through the book.  Who doesn’t love praise?  (Even when we know the real truth.)

I’m grateful to those who spearheaded this project and to all of those who contributed to it.

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Here is a quartet of utterly horrifying abominations that I recently discovered in the Christopher Hitchens Memorial “How Religion Poisons Everything” File©.  If you feel you’re up to such things, please consider taking a look at them:

“ShelterBox, Latter-day Saint Charities Partnership Helping Displaced Families Worldwide: The organizations provide emergency kits and essential items to help set up households after disasters, wars”

“How the Relief Society General Presidency and Latter-day Saint Charities are Empowering Families to Improve Children’s Health”

“The Tabernacle Choir Celebrates 20 Years of Christmas Broadcasts: Choir gives thanks to The Actors Fund at New York City event”

“What These Bishops’ Storehouse Managers in North Carolina Learned About the Church Welfare Program”