About 2000 years ago, when KING HEROD ruled Judea (now a part of Israel) God sent the ANGEL GABRIEL to a young woman called MARY, who lived in Nazareth, she was engaged to marry JOSEPH.
The ANGEL GABRIEL appeared to MARY saying, “Peace be with you, God has blessed you and is pleased with you.” MARY was very surprised by this and wondered what it meant. GABRIEL said, “Don’t be afraid MARY, GOD has chosen you to be the mother of his own son. You will give birth to a baby boy and he will be called ‘JESUS’.” MARY replied, “How can I become pregnant?” To which the ANGEL replied, “You’ll become pregnant by the HOLY SPIRIT, your baby will be God’s own son, and his kingdom will never end.”
JOSEPH was worried that MARY was expecting a baby before their marriage, but an ANGEL appeared to him in a dream and said, “Don’t be afraid to have MARY as your wife.” And the ANGEL explained that MARY had been chosen by GOD to be the mother of his SON and told JOSEPH that the baby should be called JESUS, which means ‘SAVIOUR’.
The Roman Emperor AUGUSTUS wanted a list of all the people in the empire, to make sure everyone paid their taxes. So, MARY and JOSEPH travelled a long way from NAZARETH to BETHLEHEM, because that is where JOSEPH’S family came from. MARY’S baby was due very soon and so they travelled slowly. When they arrived in BETHLEHEM, they had problems finding a place to stay and the only place they could find was with the animals. So, in the place where the animals slept, MARY finally gave birth to JESUS, the SON of GOD. JESUS’ bed was the manager that the animals ate their hay from and that’s why today you would find in many Christian homes and churches – a CRIB which depicts the birth of JESUS. When JESUS was born a bright star appeared in the sky. So, CHRISTMAS marks the birth of the SON OF GOD – JESUS, the SAVIOUR!
When is CHRISTMAS celebrated?
Although December 25th is the date when most people celebrate CHRISTMAS, there are other dates as well!
Some orthodox churches in Russia, Serbia, Jerusalem, Ukraine, Ethiopia and some other countries use the old ‘JULIAN’ calendar, and they celebrate CHRISTMAS on JANUARY 7th.
ADVENT – The Time before CHRISTMAS!
Many CHRISTIANS use the time of ADVENT to prepare themselves to celebrate the joy of CHRISTMAS. ADVENT is a period of four Sunday’s and weeks before CHRISTMAS. In many orthodox churches ADVENT lasts for 40 days, starting on November 15th.
The 12 days of CHRISTMAS and EPIPHANY!
After ADVENT, traditionally, CHRISTMAS celebrations start on CHRISTMAS DAY and lasted for 12 days, so that is why it is known as THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS! The celebrations finished on the evening of 5th January, which is known as the TWELFTH NIGHT, which was a time of feasting and fun.
CANDLEMAS - The End of Christmas!
You might think that CHRISTMAS ends when you take down the Christmas decorations, but it doesn’t! After both Christmas and the season of Epiphany, the end of the Christmas celebrations come on February 2nd, 40 days after CHRISTMAS, known as CANDLEMAS.
CANDLEMAS, is also known as the ‘Presentation of JESUS at the Temple’ or the ‘Feast of the Purification of the VIRGIN MARY.’
The History of the CHRISTMAS TREE!
The CHRISTMAS TREE is put up in mostly all Christian homes during the time of CHRISTMAS, but what is the history behind putting up the beautiful CHRISTMAS tree?
The evergreen fir tree has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals for thousands of years. Pagans used its branches to decorate their homes during winter, as it made them think of the spring. Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples during the festival of SATURNALIA. Christians use it today as a sign of the EVERLASTING LIFE WITH GOD! Fir trees were used as CHRISTMAS TREES probably about 1000 of years ago.
The Man behind Santa Claus/Father Christmas!
SAINT NICHOLAS was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century in Myra. He was a very rich man, he was a very kind man and loved helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who were in need. There are several legends about St. Nicholas, although we don’t know if they are true! Because of his kindness he was made a SAINT.
In UK, he became ‘FATHER CHRISTMAS’ or ‘OLD MAN CHRISTMAS’. In some countries, present giver became the ‘CHRISTKIND’ a golden-haired baby with wings, who symbolizes the new born baby JESUS!
IN USA, old stories of St. Nicholas were taken and referred to as ‘Sinterklaas’ or as we now say ‘SANTA CLAUS’!
Some people say that Santa lives at the North Pole, and he travels through the sky on a sledge that is pulled by a reindeer, and he comes into houses down the chimney at night and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds or in front of the family CHRISTMAS TREE! Most children receive their presents on CHRISTMAS EVE or early CHRISTMAS morning, but in some countries they get their presents on SAINT NICHOLAS EVE, DECEMBER 5TH.
We at ‘NEWS TRACK’ WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MAY YOU BE BLESSED WITH PEACE AND JOY!!!