December 25 marks the day we commonly celebrate the birth of Prophet Isa (a.s.), known in English as Jesus. It’s a wonderful occasion to spend time with family, and to think about the commonalities amongst all the Abrahamic faiths. I have to theological objection to celebrating the birth of a prophet of Islam, after all I celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Imam Ali (a.s.). However, since we don’t recognize Jesus as the Christ, I felt we as Muslims needed to recognize both our commonalities and differences with other faiths, hence Eid ul-Isa. If you like it, please use it with your friends and families, Muslims and non-Muslims.
Courtesy of a Bible browser web site, I also found some quotes from Hazrat Isa that I’m including below.
Matthew 5:3-15
3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely* on my account.
12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Luke 6:32-38
‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.* Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’