T: Dad, when did God die? Dad: “God” is immortal. T: What is Immortal? Dad: “God” lives forever. T: No! God did die. That’s why he is in Heaven. Dad: I see! T: When did he die, daddy? Dad: Do you remember I said God means different things in different religions? T: No. Dad: Do you remember I said ancient people believed in many Gods? T: Yes. Dad: Do you remember I said that Greeks and Romans made big and beautiful temples for their Gods and Goddesses? T: Like Athena? Dad: That’s right, honey; Goddesses like Athena, Hera, and Arthemis. Now, remember the story about Moses? T: “Prince of Egypt” daddy? (Refers to Disney animated film) Dad: Yes, “Prince of Egypt”; do you remember what God meant to the ancient Egyptians? Now think what God meant to Moses and his people. T: What was Moses’ mothers’ name? Dad: Jochebed (Yo-shi-Beth). What I mean is that God meant and means different things to different people. T: Was it before the Ice Age? Dad: No, about four thousand years after the Ice age ended. You know Ice Age started about 70 thousand years ago and ended about 10 thousand years ago. T: I know that. Dad: How do you know that? T: From Jack and Annie books. (Refers to a characters from Magic Tree House book collections) Dad: Good. T: Was it after the Dinosaurs? Dad: Oh yeh! Dinosaurs lived some 60 millions years ago – it means thousands and thousands of years ago. T: Dad, Mammoths and Saber-toothed cats lived in Ice Ages. Dad: I know. What was I saying? T: Dad Is Jesus dead? Dad: Oh, I was saying that God means different things in different religions. And Judaism and Islam think similarly about God, the living and the dead. But Christians think differently about God, the living and the dead. So, If you are a Christian Jesus was resurrected – returned to life. T: Which we know can not happen. Dad: If you are a Christian, then, there is no question no doubt. And, also, If you are a Christian, there is Heaven too. Of course, Islam believes in Heaven… It’s a little complicated - you know. T: I’m confused. Dad.Did Jesus die? Dad: It’s Christmas sweetie. Let’s talk about his birth. We can talk about his resurrection later. Are we celebrating his birth? T: You said he was born in January. Did you say he was born on January 7th? Dad: January 6th. T: No 7th. Dad: I don’t think I said January 7th. Your Cousin was born on January 7th. He was born on January 6th and some Orthodox Christians who did not follow Catholic church say that - not me. Even that date is being challenged. But never mind that. T: Dad, why we celebrate Christmas if Jesus was born in January? Dad: So many years ago some one from Catholic Church came and said Jesus was born on December 25th. T: But it’s not his birthday. Dad: Depends on who you choose to listen to. T: I want to listen to you. Dad: I like that. But I just tell you what I know and what I tell you is what I read and learned by doing research over the years. You need to do your own research. T: Can you help me? Dad: Of course, I can help you. T: Dad if Jesus was Christian then he went to heaven. Dad: Jesus is the head of Christianity. There was no Christianity before him. Jesus was Jewish. T: Jesus was Jewish? Oh my God. He was Jewish? Dad: Yes he was. Let’s talk about something else. Are we buying a Christmas tree? T: Next year. Dad: Why? T: Next year, I said - I’m copying you. Dad: I never put any thing off. T: You always say I said. Dad: No I don’t. T: Yes you do. Dad: No I don’t. T: Yes you do. Dad: I said I don't. T: You just did!
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