January 7 is Christmas Day for many Orthodox Christians. Why? Because in A.D. 325, the church fathers set all holy days by the Julian calendar. But Pope Gregory XIII and his astronomers decided to adjust the calendar to accommodate leap years by dropping 10 days. And so, in 1582, the 365.24-day Gregorian calendar that we use today was created. Presbyterian Christians in Egypt also celebrate on the 7^th, to be in unity with the Orthodox majority of Christians in Egypt. I wish all Christians in the whole world celebrated on the same day. In the meantime, we can celebrate twice the birth of Christ. We should celebrate His birth every day. I wish you a Merry Christmas.

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Maryam and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 Luke 2:11-18

 

It seems to me that the first evangelists were not the disciples but the shepherds. True they did not have the story of salvation through The Cross, but they spread the news about the birth of The Saviour.

What can we learn from Maryam’s actions?

 

But Maryam kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.                         

Luke 2:19

 

The learning is that we need to be still and ponder things asking God for guidance and clarity.

 

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, I pray that out of Your glorious riches You strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner being, so that I can see the star I should follow to fulfill Your call for my life. Help me to communicate about the salvation Jesus offers. Help me to be still in front of You and listen to Your voice and ponder like Maryam, The Mother of Jesus, on Your words and to internalize them totally and fully. In this celebration of Your birth Jesus let every night be a holy night where You are reborn in our hearts, minds, souls, and spirits. I declare Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and I pray in His Holy Name. To Jesus be the power, the glory, the majesty, the blessings, and the dominion forever and ever, Amen.

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein