Two Sermon Videos: Remembering the Advent of Jesus Christ

1. The Conception of Jesus: A Troubling Announcement of Good Cheer – Sermon text: Luke 1:26-38; Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7 (other reading: Isaiah 43:1-28) – Delivered on September 28, 2025
2. Proclaiming the Birth of Jesus Christ – Sermon text: Luke 2:1-20; Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20 – Delivered on October 5, 2025

Both messages delivered by Pastor Richard Stetler, Resurrection Hope Congregation, Hartley, IA

Explanation as to why we are remembering the birth of Jesus Christ now and not December 25th:

You might be wondering why a message on the conception of Jesus Christ. It has been learned that December 25th was arbitrarily chosen by Constantine in AD 336 in an attempt to “Christianize” a pagan feast day that is celebrated even to this day by many Satanists called Satunalia in honor of Saturn, Roman god of time. It was a time of giving gifts and feasting with drunkenness as part of the celebration – sound familiar. In addition, it is also the same date that pagans celebrate for the birth of Nimrod, a rebellion decedent of Noah who is said to have orchestrated the building of the Tower of Babel. Further research has also revealed that the Persian god of light was said to have been “born” out of a rock on December 25th with the Roman Emperor, Aurelian, in AD 274 establishing a festival “Dies Invicti Solis,” meaning, the “Day of the Invincible Sun” on that date. Emperor Constatine adhered to Mitraism up to the time of his supposed conversion to Christianity in the 4th century. So, it seems very suspicious that Constatine would set December 25th for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday in AD 336, as mentioned above. In addition, the 300 years of Christianity the birth of Jesus was not celebrated, though His birth, as revealed in Scripture was taught and remembered by the apostolic and church fathers. Considering the pagan roots of December 25th and that there are no Biblical grounds for that date; not to mention, travel during the winter months would make it impracticable for people to get around. It makes more sense that a decree to register would most likely be in the spring, summer or fall, not the winter.

In consideration of what been discovered, it would be better not to remember the birth of our Savior on December 25th; a date that has become a tradition for many centuries with no Biblical grounds and having pagan roots attached to it. Additionally, it seems to have taken on some of the pagan traditions the mark the celebration of pagan gods that have been “Christianized”; yet, never practiced by our Fathers of the Faith before the 4th century. Therefore, Resurrection Hope Congregation will remember the birth of our Savior on some other date. Moreover, the Church never celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ until the 4th century. More research will be done over the next six months or so to determine a more appropriate to date to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In the meantime, we have taken time away from the series of messages in the Gospel John this past two Lord’s Days to remember the birth of Jesus Christ; its importance to a proper understanding of who Jesus is and the purpose of His birth, which has impacted many lives throughout the New Testament age in which we live.

With that being said, click on the links below to hear the messages from God’s Word concerning the Virgin birth of Jesus Christ and how God, the Son took on the very nature of man to save sinners from their sins and deliver them from the bondage to sin and establish His Kingdom through His death and resurrection:

1. The Conception of Jesus: A Troubling Announcement of Good Cheer:

2. Proclaiming the Birth of Jesus Christ: