Pronunciation: \ˈkris-məs\
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English - Christemasse;
Date: before 12th century
The Christmas Story
Long ago, about 2000 years, King Herod ruled Judea (now part of Israel.) God sent Archangel Gabriel to a young women who lived in the northern town of Nazareth. Her name was Mary and she was engaged to marry Joseph.
Archangel Gabriel said to Mary: 'Peace be with you! God has blessed you and is pleased with you.' Mary was frightened. The angel said to her 'Don't be afraid, God has been very kind to you. You will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a baby boy and you will call him Jesus. He will be God's own Son and his kingdom will never end.' Mary was very afraid but she trusted God. 'Let it happen as God chooses.' She replied to the angel. Gabriel also told Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth who everyone thought was too old to have children, would have a baby boy whom God had chosen to prepare the way for Jesus.
Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah. Elizabeth was very happy to see her. She knew that Mary had been chosen by God to be the mother of his Son. An angel had already told Zechariah that Elizabeth's baby would prepare people to welcome Jesus. He was to be called John. Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home to Nazareth.
Joseph, learning that Mary was with child was deciding not marry her; however, while Joseph slept an angel appeared in a dream and said: 'Don't be afraid to have Mary as your wife.' The angel explained that Mary had been chosen by God to be the mother of his Son and told Joseph that the baby would be named Jesus which means 'Savior' because he would save people. Joseph accepted Mary as his wife.
At this time, where Mary and Joseph lived, it was part of the Roman Empire. The Roman Emperor Augustus wanted the names of the people in the empire, to make sure they paid their taxes. He ordered everyone to return to the town where their families originally came from, and enter their names in a census. Since Joseph’s family was from Bethlehem, he and Mary had to return to Bethlehem, traveling about 70 miles from Nazareth. Mary's baby was due to be born soon, so they traveled by donkey, they being fortunate ones to be able to.
Upon arriving in Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhere to stay because many people had come to register their names in the census. Every house was full and every bed was taken in all of the inns. The only shelter found was a stable or cave with the animals. In this poor place Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God. In those days it was the custom to wrap newborn babies tightly in a long cloth called 'swaddling clothes.' Jesus' bed was the manger that the animals ate their hay from.
In the hills and fields outside Bethlehem, shepherds looked after their sheep through the long night. As the new day began, suddenly an angel appeared before them and the glory of God shone around them. The shepherds being frightened heard the angel say, 'Don't be afraid. I have good news for you and everyone. Today in Bethlehem a Savior was born. You will find the baby lying in a manger.' Many more angels appeared, lighting up the sky. The shepherds heard them praising God singing: 'Glory to God in highest, and peace to everyone on earth.' The shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus was lying in a manger as they had been told. When they saw him, they told everyone what the angel had said and everyone who heard the story were astonished. Then the shepherds returned to their sheep, praising God for sending his Son to be their Savior.
When Jesus was born, a brand new bright star appeared in sky. The Wise Men in faraway countries who navigated their travels by studying the stars saw the star which confirmed what they learned - a new star would appear when a great king was born. They set out to find the new king and bring him gifts.
Different Schools of Thought: There are three different schools of thought about the birth of Jesus. Was Jesus really born on December 25th or was he born March 25th, in the Spring (Spring Solstice is March 21st); or was the December 25th date in line with the Roman pagan tradition of celebrating the New Year or Re-birth – the Winter Solstice?
Accordingly, there is a celebration on March 25th called the Annunciation - the announcement by Angel Gabriel to Mary that she was with child and she was to give birth to the Savior. At this time, it is believed that conception had taken place known as the “Virginal Conception.” This should not be confused with the “Immaculate Conception.” Even though Mary’s parents conceived her in the conventional manner, Mary’s soul was immaculate, so pure and without original sin.
Today, many believe that life begins in the womb at the time of conception and that the celebration of birth is at that time, hence Jesus was born on March 25th, the Spring. But if you believe that birth is at the time the child is physically removed from the womb, then Jesus was born nine months later on December 25th. And we must not forget the Roman pagan celebration of the Winter solstice or the New Year/re-birth. Interesting? Wouldn't you say so?
Miracles: Even though there is a controversy as to the December 25th date, it doesn’t matter. The meaning behind it is what is important - giving of oneself, caring about others, loving not hating, understanding and having tolerance towards other’s beliefs, living in peace and harmoniously with each other. Miracles do happen, no matter how small or how big every day of our lives.
Each of us has experienced miracles throughout our lives. One I can speak of just happened recently.
A young service man was trying to get home for Christmas. Where he was stationed the weather was perfect; however, where he was to arrive the weather was dangerous, (the winter storm Albert was ravaging the east coast and northeast.) When he arrived at the airport in North Carolina to switch planes, he found his flight cancelled. He was upset to say the least. The flight crew that was to fly his plane was stranded in Philadelphia for two days because of the storm. He was trying for hours to find what can be done, even thought of renting a car to drive home – in the storm. However, as he was waiting contemplating on what to do, a woman had come up to him and had given him a gift card thanking him for his service to our country and for what he is doing. He found a woman who was on his flight to North Carolina standing by a reservation desk. They spoke. It was a small miracle - a flight was available for them to come directly to Connecticut instead of their destination to White Plains. The small miracles continued - the woman had him move ahead of her. And before he knew it, word had spread through the line, moving him forward to the front so he was the first to board the plane! When he boarded the plane, he found a fellow serviceman and they sat together. The flight attendant had come to them and asked them to follow her. She placed them in First Class! He arrived around 2:00 a.m., on the 21st of December.
It is a story of how miracles that are so small we don’t realize that they even happened. We think we went with the flow or how nice those people are to us. But isn’t that what the Christmas Season is all about? Heck, the Season’s of Giving is all about; not the brightly wrapped gifts under the tree. It's about the gifts we give out of the goodness of our hearts – the woman gave the service man a gift card thanking him for his service – the woman let him ahead of her in line – word spreading in the line and each person allowed him to go ahead and finally, the flight attendant sitting him in first class. The true miracle in this story was the flight that became available for him to come home directly to Connecticut.
May everyone realize the small miracles, and large ones too, each and everyday because if you do, you will experience Christmas and the Season’s of Giving every moment of every day!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! PEACE and BLESSINGS to everyone during the most wonderful time of the year!
