For many Christian sects, including the Greek and Russian Orthodox faithful, as well as Coptic, Assyrian, Armenian and other Christians, today Christmas is celebrated.
Biblical accounts, especially discussed in the Gospel.of Matthew, place the Birth of Jesus during the reign of King Herod the Great, deemed to be between 6 and 4 BCE. This appears to align as well to the planetary alignment, or "syzygy" the Magi observed.
These were learned men, who apparently read some of the prophesies foretelling the birth of the Messiah, and as such, looked to this alignment as if a star were leading them to his birthplace. When they arrived in Jesusalem, Matthew's gospel reveals they met with Herod in order to meet with the King of the Jews.
Herod was furious and ordered that all boys under two years old should be slaughtered, according to these gospel. While no historical account exists specifically to corroborate the event, other well-documented facts exist to support Herod's madness discussed in both Matthew and Luke's gospels.
It is impossible to expect that these events occurred within in days of each other, ie, the Birth of Jesus and the Epiphany to the Magi. But over the centuries they have been linked together by many societies to tell the story of Christmas. And it makes the season even more magical.
In many countries, this is a religious holiday as Christ's birth is revered by many one more time before we turn our focus onto Lent, the events of Holy Week, Christ's crucifixion and His Ressurection, which is the basics to our faith.
So, for those who celebrate Christ's birth today, Merry Christmas. For the rest of us, may you continue to bask in the warmth of the season the whole year long.
And perhaps, one day we will all live in peace which we have been promised.
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