Merry Chirstmas!

Matthew 1:21
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Did you know that December 25th is not REALLY Jesus' birthday? This was the date on which the Romans celebrated the birth of the sun god. After Constantine converted to Christianity in A.D. 312, he combined the worship of the sun god with the worship of Christ. Christian leaders saw this "Christ-mass" celebration as a vital part of the process of converting pagans. We do know that Christians used January 6th to celebrate Jesus' appearance at the Jordan and his baptism by John. Sometime later they expanded this "festival" to include Christ's birth. Christians called it Epiphany, or manifestation. So,the meaning of the "first" Christmas was not pagan; it was a celebration of the Word made flesh!

Amen, Hallelujah!
Have a Blessed Christmas.