a Kinta Christmas 2008 (2)

Sunday January 4 2009 was the Feast of the Epiphany, the last day of Christmas. This was the day the three wise men ( below scene is from the OMPH church) find Jesus in the manger and present to him their gifts of fankencense and myrhh. They were first alerted of the birth of Jesus when they noticed a new star shining high in the sky symbolising that a great ruler had been born.....

Before ending my Kinta Christmas story i must highlight the beautiful work that is going on at St Michaels Church to upgrade its structure. Seen below is the church, built in 1924, undergoing an upgrade. This was taken in early December 08. The original church was an attap roofed structure built in the 1890's by a French priest.

The design is similar to other churches found from Penang to Singapore. Its interior was gaily decorated for Christmas. St Michaels Church is air conditioned by the way. I had popped in last Friday to attend first Friday mass and was pleasantly surprised what a little extra decoration could do to put you in the festive mood.
( please click on the photos to enlarge)

The altar was very well decorated and to the right...

... a whole wall was used for the Nativity scene.

On the walls, below the 'stations of the cross' were hung 10 of these banners outlining the events of the Nativity story...from the time the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary informing her that she would bear the child Jesus.....

..the wise men noticing the new shining star and heading out to search for the "new great ruler.."

Mary and Joseph were told to leave Gallilee for Bethlehem

..when Jesus was born the Angel Gabriel appeared to some shepherds in Bethlehem bringing them the "good news that the son of God had been born"....

..the shepherds upon seeing Jesus knelt down to worship him....and they were followed by the three wise men.....

..these banners are an interesting addition for the Christmas celebration.

..parish priest Fr Michael Cheah performing the first Friday service......

... a statue of Saint Michael has been newly erected at the entrance of the Church ... I couldn't get a clear shot that eveing so i went back during the daytime for a clearer shot...

..the statue built on top of a water fountain shows St Michael standing on top of the serpent ...

..the upgrade is not completed yet..but for sure its going to be beautiful...a photo story of the completed church will surly be forthcoming...

..until then....

Happy New Year ......

kk