A question and its answer about Christmas

A question and its answer about Christmas
Question fromRev. Father George Thankachan, Ireland
Dear Brother Paul Ciniraj,How do you respond to the teachings of the certain churches that thebirth of our Lord Jesus (Christmas) was not in the month of Decemberas it was very diificult for the shepherds to stay outside overnightduring winter time?
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Answer from Paul Ciniraj,Indian Orthodox Church Missionary,Kottayam-686038, India.
Dear Rev. Fr. George ThankachanWISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

We have no answer for the argument about Jesus birthday on December25.
Some of the Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas not on December 25,but on January 6, which is "Denaha" or the baptismal day of our LordJesus. Our Lord was baptised for the mankind on His 30th of age.

Our Lord's birth, baptism, crucifixion, death, resurrection andascencion - everything was done for the whole mankind.
Whenever we accept Jesus, that day onwards we are partakers of Hisbirth, baptism, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascencion. So wecan celebrate all these in our life at any day or any time as atradition. Anyday means, including December 25.
As you know, when a priest baptise a child he pour out water from theside of child's head to the chest, then from the side of leg to thechest, then from the side of right ribs to the chest and the left sideto the chest. It is cross. That means the child is crucifying withJesus, dies and burying. It is the symbol of the resurrection when thebaptised child is taking out from the water. That is a christian's re-birth in Jesus Christ.

December 25 is six days before the new year. January 6 is six daysafter new years. Whether December 25 or January 6, Christmas is agreat day for a christian. Most of the people around the globecelebrates christmas on December 25 and the Indian Orthodox Churchjoin with them.
Christmas means Christ-Mas. It is a MAS Belief. Those who accept Jesusas personal saviour transforming likely as Jesus. So millions, whoaccepted Jesus joined together with one mind and one faith isChristmas. It must be for the glorification of God with purity andholiness of mind and body. And never.... never for unholy and crazythings.in Jesus
Paul Ciniraj,Indian Orthodox Church Missionary,Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,Kerala-686038, India.

Published on "MGOCN(Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Network)" mgocn@orthodoxchurch.in