Merry Christmas, Again

Merry Christmas! You’re thinking I’m late? Only if I celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar (which I do). While all Christians believe that Mary, “brought forth her first-born Son” (Luke 2:7), there is disagreement as to when that happened. Orthodox Christians in Central and Eastern Europe, and other parts of the world celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian calendar. Christmas on January 7 is also known as Old Christmas Day. Eleven days were dropped to make up for the calendar discrepancy that accumulated with the Julian calendar when England and Scotland switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in 1752. Many people, especially in rural areas, did not accept the loss of these 11 days and preferred to use the Julian calendar. Nevertheless, January 7 is a time of reflection, inner thoughts and healing in many eastern European countries. Many Orthodox Christians fast before January 7, which is a day for feasting and enjoying their friends’ and family members’ company. So Merry Christmas to my friends who live and serve in places where today is Christmas Day. And for everyone else, if you didn’t get enough Christmas on December 25, you can celebrate again.

Join me in praying for the following global concerns:
• Pray for a film crew that is spending this week filming Connexxion, a campus ministry in Germany.
• 40,000 new residents are moving into Berlin every year. Living space is becoming a problem, crime is increasing, rent is going up and the spiritual darkness is oppressive. Pray for those who serve in this great city.
• Pray for Pastor John and the financial needs of The Connection, Maple Ridge/Vancouver, Canada