Christmas comes but once a year! - or does it? The traditional time for Christmas in the western Christian world is December 25th. There is a Christmas Carol that says "it came upon a mid-night clear". This is based on the ancient Hebrew prophecy saying that Emmanuel (God with us) would be born at a certain time and day. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke do not mention a specific time or day when Jesus was born. But in Bethlehem it is still a tradition that at 12:00.01 A.M. on December 25th each year you celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you are busy helping Santa at that time this year, turn on the TV and watch the celebration.

But ask yourself, does Christmas really come only one time each year? Some talking about Texas said "Texas is a state of mind". That means that Texas can not be confined to time or place. Christmas is like that, it is not limited to one time or one pace but is indeed a Christian State of Mind that needs to be carried with us every day every where.

This past year my theme in the Grand Lodge of Mississippi has been A TIME TO REBUILD. Christmas is also a time to rebuild. Take a few minutes and just think about what you would like to rebuild in your life, the life of your family, or even the world this Christmas.

I believe that at the top of all our lists should be our family relationships. Christmas is story about Family. It highlights one specific family, but it joins us all together in the family of Jesus Christ, our Savior born at Christmas. What a great foundation to build or rebuild upon this year.

Add to that list our Masonic Family. Burl Ives sang a Christmas song about "a holly jolly Christmas". Christmas is a time of good cheer and good wishes. We need to remember our Masonic Brothers and Sisters is our Christmas wishes and prayers this year.

May God Bless you! - and "we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year".

William J. "Billy Joe" Smith

Grand Lodge of Mississippi F. & A.M.  

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