Every December, more and more folks say "put Christ back into Christmas," but did Jesus Christ ever have anything to do with Christmas?

It is getting more and more obvious that Christmas today has little to do with the birth of the baby Jesus.  There was a time in America, that they often talked about gifts, etc. but the main emphasis was 'religious' in nature.

Illegal in America - in the past?

• However, there was even a time in the history of America that Christmas was not only 'not' celebrated, it was illegal. America's early colonists banned observance of Christmas.

• "The real reason for the season is winter solstice," proclaims Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-founder of the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation which re-erected its atheistic message Monday in the rotunda of the state seat of government.
• The front of the sign states: "At this season of the winter solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
• The back reads: "State/Church: Keep them separate," and carries a little caveat, advising "Thou shalt not steal."
• The 23-by-30-inch billboard was OK'd as part of Wisconsin's seasonal display which also features menorahs, angels, and what appears to be a giant Christmas tree more than two stories tall.

God manifest in the flesh!

• I Timothy 3:16 - And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
• John 1:1,14 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

• II Corinthians 4:21: For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

• Philippians 2:6-8 - Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

• Matthew 1:21
• Luke 1:33
• Finished / Unfinished?
• See John 17:4 SS teaching

• Of course:
• Matthew 1:18-25 - 'before they came together'...; and knew her not...
• Luke 1:34-35
• But also:
• Genesis 3:15
• Jeremiah 22:29,30 (24-30 for the whole story)
• Micah 5:2
• Isaiah 9:6
• Isaiah 7:14

• Acts 17:2,11
• Romans 15:4

• Zacharius about John the Baptist - Luke 1:57-66; 67-80
• Simeon on the Lord - Luke 2:25-35
• Anna, the prophetess - Luke 2:36-40