“THE BLOOD’S most important role is to form a connecting link between the body and the spirit. If the body is alive, it is not because of the blood but because of the spirit – the only true living element within the human being – which is connected to the body through the blood.”

Christopher Vasey

It is heart wrenching and overwhelmingly sad to view the images coming in from the different media outlets reporting on the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Eyewitness accounts say that there are no words to describe the magnitude of what has happened.

Reports tell us that many different countries and rescue organizations are doing their utmost best to bring relief to as many survivors as possible and as quickly as possible.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States holiday marking the birthdate of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King’s birthday, January 15.†

Reverend King had high ideals for a better world, not just for the Black race in the United States but for all struggling peoples across the planet. He worked tirelessly, endured physical hardships and personal injustices but never wavered in «his dream» to instill the fundamental truth in all of us that all men are equal under God’s Laws. And in the end he payed the ultimate sacrifice and was assasinated through the hateful thoughts of a humanity that feared change.

No, it will not! Of all the predictions about 2012, only one has some scientific basis (the Yellowstone super volcano), and scientists assure us that notwithstanding the fact that this volcano could erupt one day, nothing is expected between now and 2012, nor in the foreseeable future. For the most part the numerous theories are a collection of suppositions, each one more incredible than the next. In fact, if we want to be honest with ourselves there is a very lucrative aspect to all of this hype about the year 2012.

After all of the holiday festivities, the parties, the food, the drink, the dancing, the singing and family gatherings, on January 1^st the planet wakes up to a New Year. In many parts of the world the New Year is ushered in with a look back on the events of the previous year, globally and personally. We take stock, so to speak, and in many a heart awakens the strong desire to do better in the coming year. In my country there are several popular New Year’s resolutions that are made annually. We vow to lose weight, to stop smoking, to drink less alcohol, to complete projects that were started but never finished. Some individuals resolve to be better partners, or parents, or friends. The list can get quite long!

For Mary the journey to Bethlehem was one long series of difficulties. They had joined a caravan and with no possibility of considering Mary's condition had to move on unceasingly.

The couple had to rest in overcrowded inns. For days on end they found only in miserable huts a wretched bed, on which Mary sank, totally exhausted. Yet when she then closed her burning eyes, sleep was long in coming. Only shortly before it was time to set out again did she fall into a fitful slumber.

And yet she was happy; she smiles at Joseph as he strode along beside the little donkey that carried her. He was to have no inkling of how hard the journey was for her and was not to be worried about her.

In the next issue of GrailWorld:

Does the brain decide for us? - Beauty, A reminder of eternity - Humus, last chance for the climate - Choice of name, merely chance? - Stress, causes, symptoms, treatment options - The power of music - I cannot hear, but I can listen - In flow with the current, electric vehicle: The future of transportation

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Once upon a time, a long time ago in my country, Christmas was a happy celebration. Children were on their best behaviour in hopes that St. Nicholas would bring them a small toy and fill their stockings that hung by the fire with candy treats and tangerines. Friends and neighbours greeted one another with more joy during the Yuletide season. Mothers were busy knitting and sewing gifts for their families and cooking special foods. Fathers would walk through the wooded areas in search of the Christmas tree that was always fun to decorate with handmade ornaments as the whole family gathered round to wrap it in garlands and tinsel amidst much laughter, good cheer and song.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"

This "song of praise by the great choir of angels" at the birth of the Son of God is well known to us from biblical tradition. The shepherds in the vicinity of the stable in Bethlehem, where the heavenly child came into this world, heard it and spread the message. The words contain a promise as well as a demand that says: Whosoever glorifies God, will experience peace. Whosoever does not glorify God, will no longer find any peace?

Thoughts are as fleeting shadows, we are able to direct thoughts as we feel inclined and cannot be called to account, as thoughts are free! Such assumptions are generally accepted; they shape our social self-image and concept of freedom. But are they right? Are there no consequences to thought activity? Experiences of "positive thinking" and experiments in thought-transference suggest a hidden power which influences our life and that of others?

Dr. Gerd Harms describes the working of thoughts, their effects and whither they lead.