I had typed out a reply and then accidentally hit the wrong button and lost it. I hope I can accurately reproduce it. I also hope this reply comes across in the spirit in which it is intended. I have no desire to offend anyone.

1) Yes, other people refer to me as "clergy." Since I cannot find that word in Scripture I do not use it. Neither am I a "reverend." That title belongs to God (Psalms 111:9 KJV). I am just His servant. I am engaged in full-time ministry and as such, am financially supported by the people in this congregation. However, I do not "work for them." I work for the Lord, but those good people have chosen to support me financially and have the option of "transferring" me at any time they choose to do so. I also have the option of going elsewhere if I choose to do so. Thankfully, neither they nor I have chosen to relocate me during the last 16 1/2 years. I am financially supported in order to enable me to devote my full time efforts to this work (two sermons and a Bible class on Sunday, a Bible class for college students on Monday evening, a twice a week Bible class at the assisted living center, and another Bible class on Wednesday evening, along with any one-on-one study opportunities as might be available). I would preach and teach whether I was financially supported or not (and have done so on occasion). However, if I was not financially supported in this work I would have to maintain a secular job to support myself and my family thus limiting my time for spiritual work.

2) If you choose to set aside a day to commemorate/celebrate the birth of Jesus you are certainly free to do so (Romans 14:5-12). But I cannot find in Scripture any indication that the early Christians set aside a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Yes, obviously He was born, but the only "special day" I can find that they set aside is the first day of the week for the purpose of assembling to "exhort one another and to stir up love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24, 25) and for the purpose of commemorating His sacrifice for our benefit (Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-30, plus the rest of 1 Corinthians chapters 11-16, which govern our first day of the week assemblies).

3) Most of the traditions that have grown up around the idea of Christmas is based on supposition and speculation. Luke (chapter two) gives us the most detailed account of Jesus' birth but he gives no indication of a day or even a time of year. Since the shepherds were in the fields with their flocks at night I would suppose that it was not the dead of winter, but that's just my supposition. The only thing we know for sure is that He was born during the reign of Augustus Caesar (Luke 2:1-7) and that John (the baptizer) began his preaching in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1-3). It would seem that Jesus was about 30 years of age at that time (Luke 3:23). That's about all we can know for sure. Those religions that do set aside a special day cannot even agree on a day. Catholics and most of the western world choose December 25th. The eastern version of that religion choose January 6th. Still other religions choose other day more closely related to spring time, connecting it with His death.

4) Many "manger scenes" that I have seen depict the wise men/magi coming to the stable to present their gifts. First, tradition has it that there were three wise men. Matthew never says how many. It is just assumed that there were three based on the fact that three different categories of gifts were given. Furthermore, the magi are never mentioned in connection with the stable. By the time they found Jesus He and the family were in a house (Matthew 2:11). Additionally, the word Matthew used in reference to Jesus is a word that referred to a toddler as opposed to a babe (Luke's word). Jesus was probably as much as two years old by the time of the visit by the magi based on the word used and the order by Herod the kill the babies two years old and under (Matthew 2:16). Just a side note: Our current Gregorian calendar is "off" by about 5 or 6 years. It is supposedly based on the birth year of Jesus. Historians and archeologists are in general agreement that Herod I died in 4 BC. Therefore, if Jesus was born two years before that He would have been born 6 years "Before Christ."

5) Yes, I celebrate Christmas - in much the same way as I celebrate Thanksgiving - with the enjoyment of fellowship and good feeling among family and friends. Christmas affords me the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends that I don't get to see very often. We often exchange gifts and good wishes for each other. And most of the time a tree is involved. Even if we don't exchange gifts we enjoy the opportunity to be together and express love and concern for each other. I believe that the exchange of gifts and good wishes is a good thing. I just wish that the "Christmas spirit" would permeate the world throughout the year and not just for this one season. After all, Jesus is not just the reason for this season. He is the reason for ALL seasons. I also wish that people would not get so caught up in the materialism that is so blatantly promoted by the retail establishments.

6) I am not "against Christmas" as some religions are (e.g. Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.). I just realize that it is a man-made "holy day" and treat it as such. As stated earlier, I greatly enjoy and participate in most of the so called Christmas activities. Tomorrow (12/22/24) I will present my "Christmas sermon." If you want to hear it, it will be available on our church Facebook page any time after about 10:45 am. You are not required to have a Facebook account to watch. It is publicly available (  https://www.facebook.com/clevelandcofc  ).

So... God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember, Christ our Savior was born (edit - TLM) to save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy. O tidings of comfort and joy.