Pastors: Christmas is a time of reflection

This weekend, Christians around the world will be celebrating the start of Christmas.

Christmas runs from Sun., Dec. 25 until Jan. 6, 2017, or Epiphany.

Local pastors said Tuesday that Christmas is a time of reflection and serves as a reminder of the good the holiday brings.

“To me, every year when Christmas comes around, it serves as a reminder that we serve a God that keeps his promises,” First Baptist Church Pastor Arnold Hendrix said. “He made promises to solve man’s sin problem in scripture. Two-thousand years ago, he came through with his promise. That was the beginning of it all.”

Fr. Jay Arulappan of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, said that the season of Advent — what many Christians are participating in — is meant for many to prepare themselves to receive and meet the divine son.

“Jesus has come. He has fulfilled all of the prophecies,” Arulappan said. “Everything is fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Now, we are preparing receive Jesus.”

Arulappan said that the Christmas season is also a time where we take in the values of our hearts and then give glory to God.

First Baptist will hold one Christmas Day service at 11 a.m., which is called a Christmas Express.

Hendrix said worshippers will be in and out in one hour, guaranteed.

“We’ll have music, communion and a special surprise,” he said. “Everybody is welcome.”

St. Bellarmine is holding a 5 p.m. Christmas Eve vigil for the children, and a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, the Catholic Church will be holding a 10 a.m. mass.

First United Methodist Church Pastor Dr. Debora Bishop the meaning of Christmas is all about celebrating God’s greatest gift — Jesus Christ.

FUMC will be holding two Christmas Eve services — a 4 p.m. communion and 8 p.m. candlelight and communion service. The Christmas Day service is at 11 a.m.