Christmas Is Coming

Linked to Cosmic Photo Challenge where Dale offers the theme of “Christmas is coming”.

When I think of Christmas I think of decorated trees, presents, special food, family, quiet, cold wintry nights – and snow. Here are some photographs of snowy scenes from last year. Annette Rochelle Aben reminded me in one of her recent posts of this Christmas song that may fit these photos:

Michael Bublé, Let It Snow, Rubi Malik’s YouTube Channel.

Christmas is the traditional time to celebrate the birth of Jesus although He was not likely born on this date. Joseph Lenard argued that Jesus was born on the Feast of Trumpets (specifically, September 11, 3 BC, at the beginning of the Jewish civil year, Tishri 1, or Rosh Hashanah). David Pawson argued that Jesus was born later in Tishri during the Feast of Tabernacles. Richard Lanser argued that Jesus was born on March 20, 6 BC, on Nisan 1. There may be arguments for other dates that I’m unaware of.

Pawson, however, pointed out something important in his argument. The supernatural event was not the birth, but the conception of Jesus nine months earlier recorded in Luke 1:26-38. He pointed out that a virgin could theoretically give birth to a baby girl through parthenogenesis, but not to a baby boy. This reaffirms the significance of conception in human life.

Regardless of when Jesus was actually born, winter is a good time for a celebration and Jesus is worth remembering at any time of the year.

I am also linking this to Trent P. McDonald’s The Weekly Smile. I began writing the post on Saturday, December 5th, which happened to be my own birthday. That thought led to a realization this past week that has given me many reasons to smile, with gratitude to all of our parents and to the grace of God, that we have all been assigned to this same time together.

And so, my fellow assignees, may all of you, friend and foe alike, have a blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas.

Snow for Christmas

Crystal Grimes is hosting a Holiday Blogging Party. I am linking this post to that party.

Cosmic Photo Challenge

Author: Frank Hubeny

I enjoy walking, poetry and short prose as well as taking pictures with my phone.

31 thoughts on “Christmas Is Coming”

  2. It’s interesting that the Christian festival of Christmas takes place at or around the same time of year as pagan festivals such as Yule or the winter solstice. I suppose using the same time of year gave it more appeal to those converting to Christianity from pagan religions. Also intersting what you say about the appeal of having a winter celebration, as that tradition is still celebrated in the southern hemisphere during their summer months. I was born in New Zealand and my sister still lives there. She says that she would love for Christmas to be in the winter as that image of falling snow and roasting chestnuts over an open fire seems, for her, to encapsulate the Christmas atmosphere. Anyway Merry Christmas to you too Frank.

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    1. It is good to replace those pagan festivals with something better since they weren’t able to adequately make sense out of why we are here and what we should be doing. I would prefer that we celebrated the birth of Jesus closer the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, but one can celebrate it at any time or season. It is the conception that is the miracle. Thank you and Merry Christmas, Arthur!

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  6. Happy Birthday fellow Decemberarian! I made that word up! Mine is the 12th. I love the pic and the song, and I hope I am smiling when the snow starts falling. Interesting about the conception of Jesus. “Come, let us reason together, says the Lord to Isaiah.
    And I still won’t let you know everything…..
    It takes faith to believe!

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  9. Regardless of when Jesus was actually born, winter is a good time for a celebration and Jesus is worth remembering at any time of the year – this is so profound and true. Absolutely beautiful pictures!!

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  11. What a lovely post…and Happy Birthday, Frank!! Did you have a party, or special dinner and cake? (Yep, it looks like I may be back to doing some blogging :))

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    1. I will be looking for your posts, Jael. For my birthday, we went out for dinner which provided a pleasant celebration. Since we are in southern Florida the weather was warm and we could sit outside.

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      1. Oh that sounds nice, to be able to eat outside 🙂 In case it was unclear, I’m still the same blogger you knew days ago–deleted that blog 🙂 God bless you with a whole year of His birthday gifts!!

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  12. Happy birthday wishes, Frank. Tad late but heartfelt. I’m also so excited that X’mas is around the corner.
    The snow looks lovely and surreal.

    Happy holidays for you and yours.

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  14. A few birds with one stone here, Frank. I’ve actually never questioned the immaculate conception. It is a miracle and miracles take the form God choses. That is what I was always taught and I’ve never even thought about it.

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