Christmas Light

      Many people realize that Jesus most likely was not born on December 25. It is more likely he was born in spring when their are new lambs and shepherds in the fields at night. It is too cold in the winter for the shepherds to keep the flocks in the field; they put them in pens or corrals instead. The church chose December 25 to celebrate Jesus' birth, but the date was not arbitrary. Some believe that the date December 25 was chosen because of some elaborate connection between creation, conception, and crucifixion, as seen in the "Catholic Answer". The first time we have recorded that Christmas was celebrated on December 25 was 336 AD during the reign of Emperor Constantine. A short time later Pope Julius 1 declared December 25 to be the official date. There are many different theories about the date chosen, of which none are earth shatteringly important. The one that makes the most since to me is that the Emperor Constantine had just declared the official religion of the Roman Empire was Christian with the Edict of Milan. The church was hard at work trying to convert the pagan citizens of Rome. When you are asking someone to change their lives, you have to walk a fine line about demanding too much, so you don't want to take away all their festivals and parties. One of the biggest festivals in Rome was the winter solstice or the mid-winter festival. The winter solstice is the date that has the longest night and the shortest day. In other words, it is when the darkness is the strongest and the light is the weakest. The church chose a few days after the solstice to celebrate the birth of Jesus. To me this seems most appropriate, for what the birth of Jesus heralded was a faith in God who pushes back the darkness. Jesus was the light of God born into the world. From that date the light gets stronger and the darkness gets weaker. Just as the days get longer and the nights get shorter. The Christmas light is Jesus, the incarnation of God. Jesus' ministry was all about pushing back the darkness, pushing back evil, in the world and in humanity. Jesus also acquainted us with God's great guiding light to help the lost find their way. So for me December 25 is the perfect date to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Merry Christmas. www.fcccarrollton.org

Christmas Is Coming

     Advent is defined as the arrival of a notable person, event, or thing. What could better fit this definition than the arrival of Jesus into the world? At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the incarnation of God, Jesus, born of Mary. Advent for the church is the expectant waiting and preparation to welcome Jesus into our hearts once again. It is not that we somehow lost Jesus since last year; it is more like an anniversary of one of the most profound moments in history. It is one of my favorite times of year when people are a little kinder, a little happier. People smile more and call out greetings more often. Laughter peals from the lips of children. People hum, whistle, and sing some of my favorite songs, the songs that tell the tale of Christmas.

 

     Hark the Herald Angels Sing of Joy to the World. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear above Oh Little Town of Bethlehem that Angels We Have Heard on High sang Gloria about The First Noel. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night the baby Jesus was Away in a Manger. O Holy Night when the Infant Holy, Infant Lowly was born for Love Came Down at Christmas. Come thou Long Expected Jesus sang the Angels from the Realms of Glory. Do You Hear What I Hear then Go Tell It on a Mountain about what happened that Silent Night Once in Royal David's City. What Child is This? It is none other than The Sweet Little Jesus Boy. Mary Did You Know that Gabriel's Message would bring such Glory to God? There's a Song in the Air for Mary's Boy Child has been born. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and change our lives forever.

 

Enjoy the true meaning of Christmas as together we approach the wondrous date. www.fcccarrollton.org