December 18, 2011

Christmas in America
Celebrating the Virgin Birth of Jesus
Christmas was not observed as a holiday at all during the first few centuries of Christianity. Early Christians generally celebrated the deaths of important persons such as the martyrdom of Stephen. The birth of Jesus was not widely celebrated until the 4th century. By the 5th century, the church declared a feast for the birth of the Savior on December 25th, at least partially to compete with the pagan Saturnalia celebrations of the Winter Solstice, revered as the birth of the sun. book gave it a whole new meaning one that people could get excited about. In America, the Dickens' Christmas Carol tale became popular along with the poem, The Night Before Christmas, which many believe was written in 1822 by an American dentist, Clement Clarke Moore. These two books completely transformed the Christmas holiday in America into a fun and jubilant celebration of the birth of Christ, with a heavy emphasis on helping the less fortunate. This new holiday quickly The tradition of a Christmas nativity replaced the pagan secular events of presentation and Christmas carols the Winter Solstice that had began to be popular about the 13th previously been popular in Englishcentury as a way of keeping the story speaking countries. of Jesus' birth alive in populations As people of God, let's keep Christ in that could not read the Bible for Christmas and keep this season a themselves. But in English speaking positive time of the year focused on countries, Christmas was just not a our Savior's birth and on helping major holiday. Charles Dickens' 1843 others.

The New Testament Baptist Church, 437 N. Duffy Road, Butler, Pennsylvania 16001

Volume 11,

Dont Leave Christ Out of Your Christmas

Dont leave Christ off your gift list. We have included a list of gift items that you may purchase for the Lords work at New Testament Baptist Church. Sign up for those items you would like to purchase, take the gift tag, and then bring your gifts on Christmas.

Visit us at www.VisitNTBC.com

Church Phone Number: 724.282.2494

Jesus is the Reason

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 51

for the Season!

PAGE 2

Where Will I Spend Eternity?

Your relationship to Jesus Christ is central to the answer to that question.
We are, by nature, sinners who stand guilty and condemned before our Creator and Judge. In our thoughts and actions, we have disobeyed His perfect standards. We are sinners (Romans 3:10, 23). We are helpless to save ourselves. Forgiveness is a gift to be received, not a reward that can be earned. We need a Saviour (Ephesians 2:8-9). Because of His love for us, God provided salvation through His Son, Jesus. He became a member of the human family, lived without sin, and died on the cross to pay for our sins. Jesus is the Saviour (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). Salvation is an individual matter and requires a personal response on the part of anyone that wants to be saved. All who acknowledge their sin and place their trust in Christ are adopted as Gods children (Romans 10:9, 13).

Free Nursery & Childcare

Out of respect for your loved ones and those in attendance, we ask parents to use our clean & well-equipped nursery. Please avail us the opportunity to serve! This free service is available for newborns and infants (birth through 24 months). Sunday School: Renea Holt Sunday AM: Harriett Sibley & Katlyn Fisher Wednesday PM: Mrs. Waterhouse
TAKE 5 Gospel tracts and kindly distribute them this week.

The Lords work through the church is dependent upon the generosity of Gods people. Saturday, December 31, is the last day tax-deductible contributions can be received for the 2011 tax year.

First-time visitors are asked to stop by our Welcome Center for a gift.
Welcome to New Testament Baptist Church! We are so excited that you are taking the time to contemplate eternal matters with us. Thank you for your interest. We trust that the singing, preaching, and fellowship with our people will be a blessing to you.