Christmas Season

Thanksgiving is the most celebrated holiday, BUT Christmas is the most loved holiday.
AND, what we love and enjoy, we want to last!

So... 1)  Advent = the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas.
        2)  Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
Then it's over, unless you recognize
CHRISTMASTIDE
Aka:  the 12 days of Christmas - recognition of what God has done through Christ
-- in the west - Dec. 26 - Jan. 6, the last night being "12th. night" - which is the end of Christmas festivities

So...... gift each day for 12 days!!! - Song:  "Twelve Days of Christmas" - 1st. published in 1780 in England, the origin is unknown and there are many variations.

During the 12 days are several notable 'feasts' (ie:  holy days, days of commemoration)
these are designed to 1) commemorate persons or events to 2)  inspire us

Today - will review 3 feast days.
I.  The feast of Stephen
II.  Epiphany
III.  The feast of Innocents

I.  The Feast of Stephen  (St. Stephen's Day) - Dec. 26th.
Stephen was:  A)  the deacon - Acts 6:1-5
                      B)  the witness - Acts 6:8-10
                     C)  the martyr - Acts 6:11-23, 7:54-58

Stephen was the 1st. Christian martyr - so Dec. 26th. = day of distribution to the poor (giving day)
The song:  "Good King Wensaslas" - story of Feast of Stephen
The moral/point - last 4 lines of the song:
"Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth of rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing."  Prov. 19:17
(note:  effect of Stephen's witness??  Acts 7:58 - 8:1  Point being:  our good deeds/lifestyle are an essential part of witness.

II.  Epiphany - last day - Jan. 6th.   Definition of epiphany = a manifestation, a striking appearance
(west)  A.)  the Coming of the Magi
           B.)  the revelation of the Christ to the Gentiles  Matt. 2:1-12 - priestly caste of scholars - astrologers - "magicians"
Point:  He is the light of the world and WE are to hold forth that light!!

III.  The Feast of the Innocents - Matt. 2:13-21
Estimated number of young children killed - around 20 - 1st. Christian martyrs??  they were killed because of the testimony of the Magi
This is also called "Childermas"

Remember:  Christmas is not all about peace, joy, celebration, etc.
It is also about sin, sorrow, grief, evil, spiritual warfare - Rev. 12:1-17, 13:9-10
When Christ came into the world, Satan and forces of evil were not happy.
The battle is not over.  Peace has not arrived.  Calls for great perseverance on our part.