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Believe it or not, the Christmas season is here. In my neighborhood and around our town, people are decorating like crazy. We even have some homes that you can see their outside decorations from outer space. HA! Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Christmas on December 25? We know that Jesus was not born in the winter because it is very cold in Israel in the winter. Therefore, shepherds would not have been outside watching their sheep when the angels appeared with the big announcement. There are several plausible explanation:

  1. Some feel it has to do with the Roman Empire. December 25 was when they celebrated the rebirth of Sol Invictus —the Unconquered Sun— (Roman god of the sun). This holiday not only marked the return of longer days after the winter solstice but also followed the popular Roman festival called the Saturnalia (during which people feasted and exchanged gifts). It was also the birthday of the Indo-European deity Mithra, a god of light and loyalty whose cult was at the time growing popular among Roman soldiers.
  2. The Roman Emperor Constantine, once Rome was officially Christianized, declared December 25, 336 AD as the official date. Some feel this was his attempt to outshine the old pagan Roman holiday of Sol Invictus. No one knows for sure. 
  3. A more plausible explanation may be that the Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus dated Jesus’ conception to March 25 (the same date upon which he held that the world was created), which, after nine months in His mother’s womb, would result in a December 25 birth. This was also originally the “official” date for Jesus’ crucifixion as well. Think about that parallel.

No one really knows. We do know that under the Puritans in New England, they declared celebrating Christmas illegal because they viewed it as a British custom.  Can you imagine — making Christmas illegal? Eventually they lost their influence and in New England in 1887, Christmas became officially a holiday again.

Through the years, people, families, cultures and countries in every generation have developed theirown traditions for Christmas. How about this year your family start a new tradition — reading daily Advent or Christmas devotionals that prepare your heart for the birth of the Christ child? Below are some links you can go to that will assist you with this:

These are just a few and you might choose to search yourself. Why not this Christmas season sit your family down either at dinner or after dinner and take turns each day some reads the Advent devotional for that day. This is a great way to get your children involved as well. Then after the reading, take the time to discuss as a family what you read and what are the implications for you as a family. In case you are wondering, the word “Advent” means “the coming of Christ.” Thank you.

Verse to Meditate On: Micah 5:2, "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me one Who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days" (ESV).

Prayer to Pray: "Dear Jesus, I do not want to become Scrooge during the Christmas/Advent holidays. Neither do I want to become the Grinch, that steals the joy from anyone else's Christmas.  I want to celebrate this wholeheartedly. So, I promise to use some Advent Devotional Guide personally and with my family to keep my mind and heart focused on the real reason for this season. In Jesus' name, Amen!"

Love you, Pastor Kelly

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