Montrose, Colorado

Rev. Willis A. (Bert) Jones, a country preacher & Bible teacher

"Christmastide," just what does this word mean? On the traditional church calendar this is the 12 days between Christmas and January 6 of the following year. January 6 is the traditional day of the arrival of the Magi or Wise Men to visit the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Epiphany Day is January 6th, though the traditional Church celebrates "Epiphany" season for several weeks until the Lenten season, the seven weeks before Easter.

Why this short history lesson? I just wanted to point out that the purpose of the celebrations at this time of year are to recognize the coming of God, in the person of Jesus, to His creation which includes earth and mankind. He came as a baby, born in a humble cave, to grow up as a man (even though He is God) to shepherd His people. The shepherds from a field near by visited on Christmas Eve. The Magi (or kings) from the East did visit several days later on Epiphany. These dates were most likely at another time of the year, but they really took place about 2,018 or 20 years ago. The shepherds' visit is recorded in the Gospel of Luke and the Kings' visit with their gifts is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. These visits foretell the mission of Jesus the Christ, who came from Heaven. He came to redeem His people, be their shepherd and to be their Lord and king.