Montrose, Colorado
Rev. Willis A. (Bert) Jones, a country preacher & Bible teacher
December 20, 2015
This Year Draws to a Close!
As this year ends, I have begun to think that it might not be long until Jesus receives the Church to heaven. If so the marriage feast would not be far off and the New Jerusalem would be our new home.
Hanukkah, the Jewish "Feast of Lights" began this year on December 7th at sundown. A candelabrum with four candles each side of a larger candle called the "servant" in the center is used in many Jewish homes. They light one candle each of 8 days. This represents the rededication of the Temple after it was desecrated by the Assyrian king. This was sometime between 175 and 164 BC.
Sometime in 2 BC, Jesus was born, likely September. We celebrate his birth on Dec. 25 each year with Christmas. Christmas last 12 days from Christmas day, until January 6th, Epiphany (celebration of the coming of the Wise-men). Christmas was first celebrated on December 25th on about 325 AD.
Why do we celebrate Christmas? Jesus came to set us free from the devil's power and provide salvation and eternal life, here on earth and with Him in heaven. This is why we celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and Easter.