The Angels and Shepherds, the Star and Wisemen were the first to celebrate Christ’s birth when He was born. The Churches of the first and second centuries began to mark the conception and crucifixion of Christ at the same time around Passover time – Africans about 6th April and Westerners about 25th March.  Second century African Churches (190 AD) documented that they celebrated Christ’s Nativity on 6th January.  Saint Hippolytus of Rome (200 AD) recorded that Christ’s Nativity was celebrated on 25th December by Western Churches. The Romans had their Saturnalia on 17th December.  Emperor Aurelius (c. 271 AD) introduced Sun worship in Rome with Sol Invictus celebrated with games on 28th August (not 25th December).  Emperor Constantine the Great (d. 337 AD) converted from Sun worship to become a Christian.  Pope Julius 350 AD marked the Annunciation or conception of Christ on March 25th as the Church’s New Year.  Emperor Valentinian the Great 370 AD shifted Sol Invictus feast of Roman

Comparing the Old and New Covenants Both OT and NT derive from God’s covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants and disciples (Exo 3:). But the two Covenants offer two types of salvation – OT Social national temporal salvation and NT Spiritual international eternal salvation.   Salvation in the Old Covenant is from ENEMIES and Domination. Luk 1:70-71 70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our ENEMIES, and from the hand of all that hate us;   Salvation in the New Covenant is from SIN and Damnation. Luk 1:76-77 76 And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest: for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their SINS.  The OLD COVENANT compared with the NEW COVENANT. The Old Covenant of natural Promised Land which was for Jacob’s national Political Israel, partitioned and FAVOURED