Happy Christmas everyone!
It is hard to believe, that the Advent Season is ending on Monday with Christmas Day. From December 25, 2017 to January 5, 2018, we shall celebrate The Twelve Days of Christmas. Yes, there are literally twelve days of Christmas. That good, old, classic Christmas Carol is based off of real holidays and it is no joke. There is a day of Christmas for each one of Jesus' twelve disciples and the Twelve Tribes of Israel. As we approach Christmas Eve and the literal twelve days of Christmas, may we reflect on all of the blessings, which Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have given us this past year. Yahweh's greatest gift was His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Who died on the True Cross to save us from all of our sins. Jesus is delivered to us in the waters of Holy Baptism and in the bread and wine of Holy Communion, but, on Christmas Day, we remember, how Jesus was delivered in a humble stable as both the Son of Yahweh and the Son of the Virgin Mary. From all of us here at Ohio Irish Lutheran Press: Happy Christmas!
Thank you!
James W. O'Flannery President and Founder of Ohio Irish Lutheran Press
Let's read Luke 2:1-21 in honor of Christmas,
"2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made, when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, Which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, '14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, 'Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing, which is come to pass, which the LORD hath made known unto us.'
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying, which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all they, that heard it, wondered at those things, which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things, that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His Name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel, before He was conceived in the womb" (KJV 1611).