It's A Wonderful World!

 Toronto during Christmas is just sparkling with Christmas decorations all over the City. One of the best Christmas decorations is here at the largest mall in the City, the Toronto Eaton Centre. This mall covers several blocks along Yonge St (the longest street in the World). Then for this Christmas, the Eaton Centre put up the tallest Christmas tree here in Canada. This tree stands tall at 108ft, taller than the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in New York City. It was truly magical and delightful to see it. The Christmas tree was unveiled last 24 November with the Choir singing Louis Armstrong's song, What A Wonderful World, which is a great song to start the New Year 2017! Remember that we live in a wonderful world, full of hope, love and joy. Recognising and accepting all of our differences. Let us not destroy our wonderful World. Let us see the beauty all around us, beauty in each other, let us take care of each other and our World. Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

Watch here the unveiling of the Christmas tree and touching sing a long in Toronto of  Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World by Choir!Choir!Choir!

Wishing you all a wonderful and happy New Year!

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Tiffany Christmas

 The Tiffany & Co. Christmas windows is one of the best in our City. It always show class, style, elegance and sparkles. It's only at Tiffany that we saw a Christmas tree wrapped in jewels of diamonds and  pearls. I love the Tiffany blue box with the perfect white bow. I am most inspired by the beautiful and elegant jewels inside the Tiffany blue box. I hope you are having a merry Christmas holiday season with family and friends. Enjoy every moment, always be inspired and recognise all the beauty around us. 

 

 

 

 

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True Story of Christmas: The Birth Of Jesus Christ

When we visited Bethlehem, in the Palestinian Authority Territory in Israel, we were filled with excitement and also nervousness. Bethlehem was the birth place of Jesus Christ after all. As our Israeli tour guide explained to us, Bethlehem is under the Palestinian Authority Territory, therefore we are not in the jurisdiction of Israel.  During our visit, we changed guides to a local Palestinian tour guide together with our Israeli guide which made us feel safe. We learnt too that the irony of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, actually happened in this much conflicted land between the Jews and Palestinians. We do not want to be political here but this is the truth. We saw it in the signs all over the Church of Nativity, the actual site of Jesus' birth in a manger inside an animal shelter cave. As you can see, the Church is very old as this was commissioned by Emperor Constantine in 327 AD right here at Bethlehem. It was also under renovations so we hardly saw the Byzantine splendour of the interiors. Let us reflect this Christmas Day, on the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Jesus brings peace to us and to the World. 

 

 

Small entrance to the Church of Nativity so that the Muslims cannot ransack the place. It is also a symbol of entering the Church with humility. 

 

Entrance to the former animal shelter cave where Jesus was born in a manger. 

 

This Star symbolises the actual spot where Jesus was born in a manger. 

 

 

 

 

Church of St. Catherine, is the Catholic Church beside the Church of Nativity (controlled by the Catholics and Greek Orthodox) where the Christmas Eve mass is held every year and broadcast  around the World. 

 

 

 

 

 

Manger Square is between the Church of Nativity and the Mosque of Omar. 

 

We welcome you on your journey as we welcomed the Prince of Peace. 

This Christmas, please pray for peace in Syria and for the Syrian people. Please take the time to donate to your Red Cross, Syria Crisis Fund.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! 

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True Story Of Christmas: The Annunciation

 Let us reflect on one of the true story of Christmas, the Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel to Mary, that she will give birth to a son, to be named Jesus, through the grace of God. This act happened right here in Nazareth, in the home of Mary and Joseph, which is now the Basilica of the Annunciation. It was really touching to visit this site where it actually happened. We felt the sacredness of the place knowing that the Archangel Gabriel and Mary were in this same site over 2,000 years ago. The former home of Mary and Joseph were at the lower Church. This was the actual site where Archangel Gabriel appeared before Mary to deliver the good news. From Nazareth, Mary and Joseph then traveled all the way south to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. It must have been a long way for them to walk as we traveled from Jerusalem to Nazareth at almost two hours driving. It was worth the visit as we reflected in this miraculous and historical event that changed human history. 

In front of the Basilica, written in Latin, Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis, which meant that The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. The word of God was made flesh through the birth of Jesus Christ which started with the Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel to Mary. 

 

Depiction from the Philippines of the Annunciation. 

 

Upper Church.

 

 

 

The lower Church.

 

Former home of Mary and Joseph where Archangel Gabriel appeared before Mary. 

 

The Jerusalem Cross. 

 

A Byzantine painting depicting the Annunciation between Archangel Gabriel and Mary. 

This Christmas, please remember to pray for peace in Syria and for the Syrian people. Please take the time to donate to your Red Cross Syria Crisis Fund.

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Wrap It Up At William Ashley

 

 One of my favourite things during this Christmas season is walking, even in snowy and freezing weather, along Bloor Street in Toronto to watch the spectacular window displays. One of the best Christmas window display in town is from William Ashley, which is the best source of the finest and most elegant China, Crystal, Silver and Kitchen ware for your dining and cooking needs. This store just shows elegance, first class products and exceptional service. Their table settings are the best and most of all their window displays are just phenomenal every season. They are the only store I know who have created a wreath out of fine China from Wedgwood, Mikasa, Villeroy & Boch, Portmeirion, Royal Doulton, among other fine China brands. This is the place where every Bride in town would dream to have their Wedding Registry. It's also the perfect place to shop for elegant Christmas gifts for family and friends. Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? If so, get ready to wrap them up!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chanel Christmas Wish

Have you written up your Christmas wish list? Holt Renfrew  in Toronto has expanded their Chanel Boutique on the 2nd Floor with the bags, shoes, clothes and accessories more accessible and visible to shoppers. As you can see on the photos above, we can almost touch these most coveted classic flap and Boy bags in pastel colours of pink, fuchsia and yellow. There are even hard to find blue Chanel bags on display. It was such a delight to see. It made me wish that all I want for Christmas is Chanel. Who would resist? No way. I'll receive Chanel any time. 

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Christmas Walk On Bloor Street

 It's that time of the year again for Christmas shopping. I know that we should not be materialistic and not fill our Christmas season with consumerism. These beautiful and sparkling decorations along Bloor Street in Toronto just make one really happy and inspired to shop even if it just involves buying hot chocolate chunks at Williams-Sonoma. Walk with me here on Bloor Street and enjoy the Christmas display of the stores. Hopefully, this will inspire you to make your Christmas wish as you walk along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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