lifeandliberty

A ministry opportunity from Life and Liberty Ministries This is the schedule for LLM's upcoming annual tour. The Face The Truth Virginia Campus Tour will run through the week of September 26 - 30, 2005. Preaching to university students during a previous tour Universities, High Schools, and other busy areas are our target locations. If you are a born-again Christian with a heart for the murdered preborn and a desire to share God's Word with the lost, consider joining with us on this short-term mission. The cities and towns that will be visited are listed below but the exact locations can be obtained by contacting LLM at 804-492-9216 or by e-mail at lifeandliberty@juno.com Monday, Sept. 26 7:00 AM - Richmond 11 AM - Williamsburg 3:30 PM - Norfolk Tuesday, Sept. 27 6:45 AM - Norfolk 10:30 AM - Norfolk Afternoon stop TBA Wednesday, Sept. 28 7:00 AM - Richmond 10:30 AM - Richmond 3:30 PM - Richmond Thursday, Sept. 29 8:00 AM - Charlottesville 11:30 AM - Charlottesville Afternoon stop TBA Friday, Sept. 30 7 AM - Bridgewater / Harrisonburg 10:30 AM - Harrisonburg The below information sheet gives many of the logistical details that you may have questions about and is a must-read if you are considering joining with us on this short-term mission: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FACE THE TRUTH VIRGINIA CAMPUS TOUR INFORMATION SHEET What will we do during the tour? For five days we will travel to towns across Virginia to speak out on behalf of the victims of abortion. At each stop, we will line streets with large pictures of babies who have been killed by abortionists in our nation. We will distribute literature to educate the public and we will share Messiah. This is a prophetic and evangelistic outreach. When do we start? We will begin on Monday morning, Sept. 26, 2005. Those who can only join us when we stop in their town should be on site one half hour before the scheduled event. Where will we stay overnight? Out-of-Towners are welcome to arrive here at our home base on Sunday evening. There will be no cost for housing. We will arrange the housing for everyone in private homes. You should bring along a sleeping bag and pillow. There may be one or two nights spent at motels. How is the travel arranged? We car-pool. All who can drive are welcome to do so. There may be some in need of transportation who would be blessed to tag along with you. What about meals? Usually your host will provide a light breakfast. We try to stop for lunch at an economical restaurant or fast food joint. Some dinners will be bought on the road and some may be provided. We will arrange for church groups to feed us when possible. Who can take part in this short-term mission? If you are a born-again servant of the risen Messiah and have a heart for the babies who are killed by legalized child sacrifice, your participation is desired. Our attitudes must be guided by a love for the Father and a hatred of sin. With compassion and patience, we will seek to save the lost. Without apology or compromise, we will address the sins that are leading our neighbors to hell. This is an ideal opportunity for young people (Youth Groups) to be a light to this sin soaked nation. Spread the word. I want to come along. What do I do now? Give Life and Liberty Ministries a call. We need to know how many to accommodate. Let others know about this short-term mission. We will only make a difference in this world if we are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to bring about change. Contact Life and Liberty Ministries at: LLM P.O. Box 862 Powhatan, VA 23139 (Office) 804-492-9216 (E-mail) lifeandliberty@juno.com Life and Liberty Ministries

A ministry opportunity from Life and Liberty Ministries This is the schedule for LLM's upcoming annual tour. The Face The Truth Virginia Campus Tour will run through the week of September 26 - 30, 2005. Universities, High Schools, and other busy areas are our target locations. If you are a born-again Christian with a heart for the murdered preborn and a desire to share God's Word with the lost, consider joining with us on this short-term mission. The cities and towns that will be visited are listed below but the exact locations can be obtained by contacting LLM at 804-492-9216 or by e-mail at lifeandliberty@juno.com Monday, Sept. 26 7:00 AM - Richmond 11 AM - Williamsburg 3:30 PM - Norfolk Tuesday, Sept. 27 6:45 AM - Norfolk 10:30 AM - Norfolk Afternoon stop TBA Wednesday, Sept. 28 7:00 AM - Richmond 10:30 AM - Richmond 3:30 PM - Richmond Thursday, Sept. 29 8:00 AM - Charlottesville 11:30 AM - Charlottesville Afternoon stop TBA Friday, Sept. 30 7 AM - Bridgewater / Harrisonburg 10:30 AM - Harrisonburg The following information sheet gives many of the logistical details that you may have questions about and is a must-read if you are considering joining with us on this short-term mission: Dennis Green Life and Liberty Ministries P.O. Box 862 Powhatan, VA 23139 (804) 492-9216 --------------------------------------------------------- FACE THE TRUTH VIRGINIA CAMPUS TOUR INFORMATION SHEET What will we do during the tour? For five days we will travel to towns across Virginia to speak out on behalf of the victims of abortion. At each stop, we will line streets with large pictures of babies who have been killed by abortionists in our nation. We will distribute literature to educate the public and we will share Messiah. This is a prophetic and evangelistic outreach. When do we start? We will begin on Monday morning, Sept. 26, 2005. Those who can only join us when we stop in their town should be on site one half hour before the scheduled event. Where will we stay overnight? Out-of-Towners are welcome to arrive here at our home base on Sunday evening. There will be no cost for housing. We will arrange the housing for everyone in private homes. You should bring along a sleeping bag and pillow. There may be one or two nights spent at motels. How is the travel arranged? We car-pool. All who can drive are welcome to do so. There may be some in need of transportation who would be blessed to tag along with you. What about meals? Usually your host will provide a light breakfast. We try to stop for lunch at an economical restaurant or fast food joint. Some dinners will be bought on the road and some may be provided. We will arrange for church groups to feed us when possible. Who can take part in this short-term mission? If you are a born-again servant of the risen Messiah and have a heart for the babies who are killed by legalized child sacrifice, your participation is desired. Our attitudes must be guided by a love for the Father and a hatred of sin. With compassion and patience, we will seek to save the lost. Without apology or compromise, we will address the sins that are leading our neighbors to hell. This is an ideal opportunity for young people (Youth Groups) to be a light to this sin soaked nation. Spread the word. I want to come along. What do I do now? Give Life and Liberty Ministries a call. We need to know how many to accommodate. Let others know about this short-term mission. We will only make a difference in this world if we are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to bring about change. Contact Life and Liberty Ministries at: LLM P.O. Box 862 Powhatan, VA 23139 (Office) 804-492-9216 (E-mail) lifeandliberty@juno.com www.lifeandlibertyministries.com

The Dispensation of Optional Obedience I once heard a sermon in which the minister exhorted the congregation to be diligent in their witness because

Wolves and Children The fact of the matter is that some forms of "ministry work" are more appealing to the flesh than others. I rejoice that the Heavenly Father has put me where I am, but I don't find street outreach at abortion clinics to be very enjoyable. As a matter of fact I am finding that abortion clinic outreach is very unpleasant. Although there are many examples I could give, let me just share two experiences I have had in the last week to illustrate what I mean. Last week I encountered three individuals as they approached the door to "Richmond Medical Center for Women". I approached a young girl of fifteen with her parents. I began to share information about the dangers of abortion, the help available, and the Gospel. To my suprise, the young girls father allowed me to share at length. In the end, the family tearfully went home with the daughters preborn child still intact. This may sound like a wonderful victory, and it was to some degree. But here is the problem I so often see on the street. It's cowardice and complacency on the part of family members who bring their loved ones to have their children chopped up. It never ceases to amaze me how many of the family members who bring girls to the clinic claim to be opposed to the decision to kill the baby. This of course doesn't stop them from driving the car, offering "support" etc. So many today are steeped in cowardice and complacency and are so worried that they might offend, that they actually become accomplices in the murder of the innocent child. By God's grace, we are sometimes able to infuse some backbone into these accomplices and they actually rise up and play a key role in saving the childs life. More often that not, however, they simply stand around and do nothing. I encountered a "wolf" two days ago at "A Capital Women's Health Clinic". Some may doubt this and say that wolves are not native to this geographical area, but they would be mistaken. I have seen dozens of these wolves over the years, and yes, they are very deadly, especially when cornered or when they feel threatened by someone moving too close into thier comfort zone. This wolf was in the process of killing one of its young. As I tried to intercede on behalf of a baby scheduled to be killed, this creature of the night lashed out at me. I honestly thought that this would be the day that I would be physically attacked as he and another man charged up and began screaming at me, nose to nose, from three inches away. It was from this distance that I realized that this was not the garden variety dog but a true wolf. As I sought to speak to a woman around this screaming individual, he made his true identity known. This was a "Youth Minister" no less, that sought to use Scripture (dreadfully out of context) to attack me and defend his choice to have his girlfriend's baby killed. Those who are unfamiliar with outreach at abortion clinics may think that this was a freak occurance and by no means is the norm at the killing centers. Well, the truth is, this is all too often the case. Sin, like yeast, permiates the "church". In my years of clinic outreach I have witnessed hundreds of professing christians, Bible College students, church leaders and their children, even family members have their babies killed simply because they could. I become so grieved, and at times weary, as I stand on the sidewalk day after day, raising my voice in defense of the innocent and the Gospel, while multitudes walk by in complete indifference. With Churches all around, one would think that compassion for murdered children would rise up in many hearts and more voices would be raised in their defense. In all truth, the majority of "Christians" I encounter at the clinics are not there to stand for truth, but rather to have their children secretly killed. I pray for the day when this sleeping Body wakes up and decides to live as of Body of Messiah is called to live. When that happens, children will be protected, wolves will be exposed, and voices will be raised in defense of the truth in those places where there is deafening silence. Dennis Green, Pro-life Missionary http://www.lifeandlibertyministries.com

Judge drops all charges against Philly Christians February 17, 2005 Adults who evangelized at homosexual event vindicated, teen girl likely off hook tomorrow 2005 WorldNetDaily.com In what is being hailed as a victory for free speech, a judge in Philadelphia today dismissed all criminal charges against four Christians who were arrested for evangelizing at an outdoor homosexual event. Judge Pamela Dembe of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas dismissed the charges, saying that she found no basis whatsoever for any of them. "We are one of the very few countries that protects unpopular speech," Dembe said after viewing a videotape of the arrests. "And that means that Nazis can March in Skokie, Ill. ... That means that the Ku Klux Klan can march where they wish to. We cannot stifle speech because we don't want to hear it, or we don't want to hear it now." As WorldNetDaily reported, on Oct. 10, a group of 11 Christians was "preaching God's Word" to a crowd of people attending the Philadelphia "OutFest" event and displaying banners with biblical messages. After a confrontation with a group called the Pink Angels, described by protesters as "a militant mob of homosexuals," the Christians were arrested and spent a night in jail. Eight charges were filed: criminal conspiracy, possession of instruments of crime, reckless endangerment of another person, ethnic intimidation, riot, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and obstructing highways. None of the Pink Angels was cited or arrested. After a preliminary hearing in December, Judge William Austin Meehan ordered four of the Christians to stand trial on three felony and five misdemeanor charges. If convicted, each could have received a maximum of 47 years in prison. One female teenage protester faces charges in the juvenile justice system, but those charges likely will be dropped tomorrow. "The judge saw this case for what it is," Joe Infranco, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said in a statement. "This was the right response to an outrageous abuse of power to silence speech that some people didn't like. "What took place here was a government crackdown on disfavored speech. The OutFest participants staged a national coming-out day on a public street using public funds, and then they tried to say it's a private event. That didn't make any sense, and neither did the actions of the police.

I just recieved this note from the father of Lauren Murch (one of the Philadelphia 5). -------------------------------------------------------- Breaking News! I was contacted by the Philadelphia attorney and told that the Prosecutor in Lauren's case has said he will drop the charges. It is not yet official, the charges have not yet actually been dropped, and we may still have to appear in court on the 18th, but this is excellent news! In further good news, it is becoming evident what God's plan was in all of this. So far, 17 Pennsylvania legislators, led by a Democrat, have drafted a bill removing "sexual orientation" from their hate crimes legislation, that they just put in there back in 2002! Furthermore, the reason they are doing it is because of this case! The very first time it was invoked, it was so badly abused, and brought such overwhelmingly negative publicity to the State and the City, they have decided to mount a move to trash the language they fought so hard to have put in! Let's pray they are successful.

The Criminalization of Christianity By Wendy Griffith CBN News Sr. Reporter CBN.com

Bill Would Strip 'Sexual Orientation' from PA's Hate Crimes Law February 10, 2005 By Ed Thomas (AgapePress) - Legislators in Pennsylvania have introduced a bill designed to remove language from a state "hate crimes" law that was used against Christian protestors in the "Outfest" case in Philadelphia. The arrests of the Christians allowed political opponents of the hate crimes law to say their warnings were ignored. House Bill 1493 became Act 143 of the Pennsylvania Hate Crimes Law in November 2002 and added "sexual orientation" protection to the law. Legislators and other opponents -- like Diane Gramley of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania -- warned then that the law could be used against the First Amendment rights of Christians, a charge sponsors adamantly denied was the intent. She even recalls one of the measure's supporters accusing opponents of having "an active imagination," and saying the bill was about "thugs, hooligans, murderers, and blood in the street," not about infringing on the rights of Christians. That was until the pro-homosexual Outfest event in October 2004, when the "ethnic intimidation" charge against the arrested Christians was drawn from Act 143. Gramley says opponents of the measure now have the proof they need -- and 17 of them have co-sponsored House Bill 204. "[This bill] removes the wording that was added back in November 2002 [when] 'actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity' [were added]," she explains. State Representative Tom Yewcic was to introduce the new bill today (February 7) at a capital news conference. Gramley calls the lawmakers' move a "bold step in restoring the First Amendment rights of Pennsylvania's Christians." Five of the Christians arrested at the Outfest event are stilling facing 47 years in prison and fines up to $90,000 each. Those who were arrested committed no violence against homosexuals at the gathering. However, a city prosecutor declared that the bullhorn used by one of the Christians was an "instrument of crime." Agape Press

Judge eases curbs on protesters Bail condition barring the "Philadelphia Four" from gay events violated rights to free speech, ruling says. By Larry Eichel Inquirer Staff Writer In a case that has received national attention, a Philadelphia judge yesterday revoked a bail condition that had kept four antigay activists away from organized gay events, calling the restriction an unreasonable restraint on free speech. She also indicated she might be inclined to dismiss the entire case. The decision by Common Pleas Court Judge Pamela Dembe came in the case of the so-called Philadelphia Four. They are facing a variety of charges, including felonies, in connection with their behavior at the gay and lesbian community's Outfest celebration last fall. "We cannot restrict people's right to speak or to be near those who might not wish to hear them into the future," Dembe said. The limit had been put in place last month by Municipal Court Judge William A. Meehan against the demonstrators, who are affiliated with a local group called Repent America and who say their opposition to homosexuality is Bible-based. After viewing a 22-minute videotape of the events leading to the defendants' arrest, Dembe said: "It all amounted to annoyance on both sides, but it did not amount to criminal behavior that I can see." Cathie Abookire, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham, said that the prosecution would proceed with the case. A pretrial hearing is scheduled next month, at which Dembe is to hear arguments on dismissing the charges. The activists, led by Michael Marcavage of Lansdowne, say they are being prosecuted for preaching the Gospel, a claim that has won them considerable support among conservative Christian groups around the country. During the hearing yesterday, Assistant District Attorney Charles Ehrlich said that the criminal charges were based not on what the defendants said at Outfest but on their conduct. "Mr. Marcavage's conduct is to try to incite a crowd to cause a public disturbance... whether it's from the Bible or somewhere else," Ehrlich said. Marcavage faces felony charges of criminal conspiracy, incitement to riot, and violating the state's law against hate crimes, plus five misdemeanors. Felony charges (but not the misdemeanors) have been dismissed against the other three, though they remain in place against a 17-year-old girl who demonstrated. The activists were arrested after refusing a police order to move to an area farther from the center of the Outfest celebration, which covered eight blocks of Center City. Police said they were concerned about possible violence; the activists were being followed by counterprotesters using pink insulation boards and whistles to prevent the antigay words and signs from being being seen or heard. During the hearing, the defendants' attorney, C. Scott Shields, said the bail condition preventing his clients from getting with 100 feet of any gay event had effectively "muzzled" them, "and that's unconstitutional as a prior restraint." In addition, Shields argued that Marcavage and the other defendants were within their rights to go to Outfest with their bullhorn because the festival was a public event held on public streets. The legal situation would have been different, he said, had the event taken place in a private venue. Continue this story at: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/front/10705185.htm

Jail Marcavage? ACLU-gotta be kidding Gil Spencer, Times Columnist01/14/2005 In an elevator on his way down from Courtroom 504 in the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia Wednesday, a reporter is asking Michael Marcavage about his religious convictions. The elevator is stuffed with people, and Marcavage, 25, a good-natured but determined Christian soldier, doesn

The trial date has been set for the 17 year old girl who was arrested with us. It is Feb.18.

'Philadelphia 5' arrests like 'Christian Rodney King'Documentary producer happened to be filming protesters day of 'gay' event -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: January 12, 2005 1:00 a.m. Eastern By Ron Strom

CWA Urges DOJ Intervention In Philadelphia Hate Crimes Prosecutions 1/5/2005 Prosecutors continue to press felony charges against 4 Christian men and one juvenile for their activities at Philadelphia

Report Says Homosexual DOJ Lawyers Complicit in Arrest of Christians January 06, 2005 Philadelphia Family Advocate Blames Local Clergy, Politicians for Hostile Environment By Jim Brown and Jody Brown January 5, 2005 (AgapePress) - A Christian attorney is expressing deep concern over the latest development in a case involving a group of Christians who were arrested for preaching the gospel at a homosexual pride event in Philadelphia. Four Christians have been bound over for trial and face up to 47 years each in prison after preaching to a crowd of homosexuals at the pro-homosexual "Outfest" event in early October. Michael Marcavage, Mark Diener, Dennis Green, and James Cruse were each expected to enter a plea of "not guilty" on Wednesday (January 5) for the felony and misdemeanor charges filed against them by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. A female minor who also was arrested at the time faces charges in the juvenile justice system. A strange twist has developed in the case since it was discussed Monday night on the Fox News program The O'Reilly Factor. WorldNetDaily is reporting that homosexual attorneys from the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division not only attended the October event, but also advised the Philadelphia police on the scene when 11 Christian protesters were arrested. According to that report, those DOJ attorneys may have recommended to police that the Christians be charged with "ethnic intimidation" under Pennsylvania's new "hate crimes" law. WorldNetDaily identifies its source as a Justice Department employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity. That employee says because of those attorneys' involvement at "Outfest," it is unlikely the DOJ will take up the cause of those now facing criminal charges. A legal representative for "The Philadelphia Four" stated on Bill O'Reilly's show that plans included asking the DOJ to investigate the case. Brian Fahling, the Christian attorney who appeared on The O'Reilly Factor, says the report of DOJ attorneys' involvement on the scene should trouble all who are following the case, which he describes as "of historic dimension." For the rest of the story, go to.... http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/52005a.asp

U.S. attorneys complicit in arrest of Christians? January 06, 2005 Source says homosexual government lawyers advised Philadelphia police at 'OutFest' event -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: January 5, 2005 1:00 a.m. Eastern By Ron Strom

http://washingtontimes.com/culture/20041228-102341-4050r.htm Criminalized thoughts? By Amy Doolittle THE WASHINGTON TIMES Jokes about political correctness have been around for more than a decade, and many Americans now take for granted conflicts over manger scenes on public property and Christmas carols in public schools. Hostility toward religious expression is no joke, however, to advocates concerned that "hate crimes" laws could be used to rob Americans of religious freedom, which they say is already the case in some parts of Europe. Exhibit A: Ake Green, a Swedish pastor who was arrested for speaking against homosexuality from his church pulpit. While American hate-crime laws currently punish criminal acts motivated by bigotry, William Murray, chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition, says the principle behind such statutes could be "worse than a slippery slope" toward restricting fundamental freedoms. "In the '40s, '50s, '60s and even '70s, we were taught that the difference between the free world and the communist bloc was that in the free world if you committed a crime, you were going to go to jail for what you did, but in the Soviet Union and other countries, you would go to jail for what you thought," Mr. Murray said. "Hate-crimes laws are not really hate-crimes laws

We agree on this point, so since no laws were violated, the charges should all be dropped. "Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell." -- C.T. Studd

http://www.afa.net/clp/philly4.asp The Philadelphia Four Act Now! After reading below, please contact Assistant Attorney General, R. Alexander Acosta, at the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice and ask him to investigate this profound abuse of power and violation of constitutional rights. Assistant Attorney General R. Alexander Acosta U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Office of the Assistant Attorney General, Main Washington, D.C. 20530 Phone:(202) 514-2151 E-mail: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov Please pray for the Philadelphia Four: Michael Marcavage, Mark Diener, James Cruse, and Dennis Green. Eleven Christians were arrested on October 10 for praying, singing, and reading scriptures during an annual "gay pride" event known as "Outfest" in Philadelphia. Four out of the eleven were ordered on Tuesday, December 14 to stand trial because they were seen quoting scripture on a video. The charges include three felony (criminal conspiracy, ethnic intimidation, and riot) and five misdemeanor charges. If convicted, they could face up to 47 years in prison! The Philadelphia judge and prosecutor have labeled the Bible hate speech and called Bible verses "fighting words." The Pink Angels, homosexual activists, did everything they could to obstruct, impede, and frustrate the Christians from sharing the gospel in a public forum, yet no arrests or citations were placed on the Pink Angels. This is the clearest example of anti-Christian bigotry by city officials in the last century! Video Footage The following video footage from

MESSIAH'S BIRTH AT SUKKOT By Dr. James Trimm Shalom All, There is evidence that Messiah was born at Sukkot (Boothes/Tabernacles) in 4 B.C.E.. The key to calculating the date of the birth of Messiah is Luke 1:5 where we learn that Zechariah the father of Yochanan was a priest of the course of Abijah. The priests became to numerous to all serve at the Temple all the time, so they were divided into 24 courses (1Chron. 24). Each course served for two weeks each year, once in the former rain (first half of the year) and once in the latter rain (second half of the year). There were also three weeks in which all the priests were required to serve, these were the three pilgrimage festivals (Dt. 16:16). 24 times 2 is 48 plus three is 51. 51 weeks is 357 days fitting nicely within the 360 day lunar year. The course of Abijah is the eighth course (1Chron. 24:10) which serves the tenth week during the former rain portion of the year (this is because during Passover and Shavuot (Pentecost) all fo the priests serve together Dt. 16:16). Zechariah had his vision while serving in the course of Abijah in the tenth week (It will become apparant that he was serving his first course not his second as the timing will show as we progress). Thus Zechariah's vision took place during the 10th week of the year (The religious year beginning at Nisan/Abib around 14 days before Passover). We must add two additional weeks before Yochanon (John) could be concieved, due to the purity laws (Lev. 12:5; 15:19, 25). So Yochanon was concieved in the 12th week of the year. He was born about 40 weeks later during the 52nd week of the year (12 + 40 = 52) which brings us to Passover. Thus Yochanon was born at Passover, the very time that Elijah was, according to Jewish tradition, supposed to appear. Yeshua was concieved 6 months (about 25 weeks) after Yochanon's conception. This means Yeshua was concieved around the 37th week around Chanukah. This would mean the light of the world was concieved during the festival of lights. Yeshua was born 40 weeks later (around week 77 that is week 25 of the following year) this brings us to the time of the fall feasts. There are several clues that Yeshua was born at Sukkot: 1. Bethleham was "booked solid." This would not have been due census which would have taken place over the period of a year. Every Jew was required to come to Jerusalem for Sukkot (Dt. 16:16) this would have over run Jerusalem as well as Bethleham just five miles away. 2. Yeshua was born in a stable. The Hebrew word for "stable" is "sukkah" (as in Gen. 33:17) so it is likely that Yeshua was born in a Sukkah/booth. 3. If Yeshua was born on the first day of Sukkot then he would have been circumcised on the "eigth great day" a festival following Sukkot. This day was the original "Simchat Torah" (Rejoicing in the Torah) which is now held the following day in Rabbinic Judaism. So Yeshua would have entered the covenant on the day of "rejoicing in the Torah." 4. When the angels appeared to the shepherds they made a statement which closely echos the ancient Sukkot liturgy "...behold, we have come to declare to you glad tidings of great joy." (Lk. 2:10-11) 5. Sukkot is symbolic of God dwelling in a "tabernacle" (body?) with us. Now in Mt. 2:7-8, 16 Herod kills all the children two and under. The fact that he killed such a wide range indicates that he did not know quite how long ago Messiah had been born. Yeshua's parants fled to Egypt until they herad Herod was dead. They were back in bethleham in time to perform Miriam's (Mary's) purificationa nd Yeshua's dedication on the 4oth day after Yeshua's birth (as required by Torah) (Luke. 2:22-38. By this time Herod had to be dead or they could not have come to the Tempole in Jerusalem. Herod had to have died during the 40 days between Yeshua's birth, and his dedication 40 days later. Herod is known to have died in September of 4 B.C.E. So Yeshua had to have born in the fall (this rueles out that Zechariah could have been serving during Abijah's second course of the year, since that would place Yeshua's birth in the Spring and not allow for Herod's death during the 40 days after his birth in the fall). This also tells us that the year of Yeshua's birth was 4 B.C.E.

The Origin and Practices of Christmas: Christian or Pagan ? ____________________________________________________________________ RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AND CALENDARS - AN ENCYCLOPAEDIC HANDBOOK, 1993 Christmas Day December 25 Christmas is the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholic Church designates it as a day of holy obligation on which members of the Church must attend services. Originally, the birth of Jesus was commemorated in the East on the Feast of Epiphany (January 6) but by 354, the Christmas Feast had taken hold in the West and was observed on December 25. Since the fifth century, most Eastern Orthodox Churches have celebrated the Nativity on December 25; however, some Eastern congregations, called "Old Calendarists," still use the Julian calendar and honor the birth of Christ thirteen days later, on January 7. The Armenian Church continues to celebrate "Old Christmas" on January 6. As with many traditions surrounding Christmas, the selection of December 25 as a commemoration of Jesus' birthday may be an example of the blending of Christian ideas and the pagan traditions they replaced. December 25 was the date of the Mithric observance of the "Birthday of the Invincible Sun." This also coincided with Saturnalia and the Winter solstice during the period when Mithraism was practiced in Rome. Since the day was already being kept as a holiday, Christians may have adjusted the symbolism of the day, declaring it the birthday of their "Invincible Son." According to events in the Gospel of Matthew, the date of Jesus' birth may actually have taken place much earlier in the year. The word "Christmas" means "the mass of Christ," and originated in the 11th century as a name for this feast. It was one of the most popular and universally celebrated holidays in Europe during the Middle Ages. During the Reformation, however, the celebration of Christmas began to decline in importance. Reformers engaged in complex doctrinal arguments in an attempt to prove the celebration of Christmas was unscriptural. In some countries, the Protestant reforms brought about a ban of Christmas celebrations. By the time of the Restoration in 1660, however, the celebration of Christmas as a much more secular holiday was revived in these countries. In New England, Christmas remained outlawed until the mid-nineteenth century, and in Boston classes were held in the public schools on Christmas Day until 1870, with pupils who missed school that day being punished or dismissed. The mass immigration of Irish Catholics to New England brought about the reinstitution of Christmas celebrations. ___________________________________________________________________ "Christmas.", DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIANITY IN AMERICA, 1990 Both the northern European and North American custom of exchanging gifts at Christmas... are possibly related to pre-Christian celebrations at the close of the year. The celebration of Christmas has sometimes been opposed as pagan by religious leaders. New England Puritans* considered Christmas "popish" idolatry, and the Massachusetts General Court in 1659 passed an act against its celebration, though the law was repealed in 1681." ___________________________________________________________________ "Christmas", THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA, Vol. 3, "C-Ch", 1997 "The first mention of December 25 as the birth date of Jesus occurred in A.D. 336 in an early Roman calendar. The celebration of this day as Jesus' birth date was probably influenced by pagan [unchristian] festivals held at that time. The ancient Romans held year-end celebrations to honor Saturn, their harvest god; and Mithras, the [sic] god of light... As part of all these celebrations, the people prepared special foods, decorated their homes with greenery, and joined in singing and gift giving. These customs gradually became part of the Christmas celebration." "In the late 300's, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire... The popularity of Christmas grew until the Reformation, a religious movement of the 1500's. This movement gave birth to Protestantism. During the Reformation, many Christians began to consider Christmas a pagan celebration because it included nonreligious customs. During the 1600's, because of these feelings, Christmas was outlawed in England and in parts of the English colonies in America." ___________________________________________________________________ "Christmas", COLLIER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA, Vol. 6, 1992 "... The suppression of the Mass during the Reformation led to a sharp change in the observance of Christmas in some countries. In England, the Puritans condemned the celebration and, from 1642 to 1652, issued a series of ordinances forbidding all church services and festivities. This feeling was carried over to America by the Pilgrims and it was not until the nineteenth-century wave of Irish and German immigration that enthusiasm for the feast began to spread throughout the country. Objections were swept aside and the old traditions revived among Protestants as well as Catholics." ___________________________________________________________________ "Christmas," COMPTON'S INTERACTIVE ENCYCLOPEDIA, 1997 THE CHRISTMAS WREATH The use of evergreens and wreaths as symbols of life was an ancient custom of the Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews, among other peoples. Tree worship was a common feature of religion among the Teutonic and Scandinavian peoples of northern Europe before their conversion to Christianity. They decorated houses and barns with evergreens at the new year to scare away demons, and they often set up trees for the birds in winter. For these northern Europeans, this winter celebration was the happiest time of the year because it signified that the shortest day of the year--about December 21--had passed. They knew the days would start to get longer and brighter. The month during which this festival took place was named Jol, from which the word yule is derived. Yule has come to mean Christmas in some countries. THE CHRISTMAS TREE Trees and decorations. Ancient, pre-Christian winter festivals used greenery, lights, and fires to symbolize life and warmth in the midst of cold and darkness. These usages, like gift giving, have also persisted. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING Gift giving is one of the oldest customs associated with Christmas: it is actually older than the holiday itself. When the date of Christmas was set to fall in December, it was done at least in part to compete with ancient pagan festivals that occurred about the same time. The Romans, for example, celebrated the Saturnalia on December 17. It was a winter feast of merrymaking and gift exchanging. And two weeks later, on the Roman New Year--January 1, houses were decorated with greenery and lights, and gifts were given to children and the poor. As the Germanic tribes of Europe accepted Christianity and began to celebrate Christmas, they also gave gifts. Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia Copyright

The Origin and Practices of Christmas: Christian or Pagan ? ____________________________________________________________________ RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AND CALENDARS - AN ENCYCLOPAEDIC HANDBOOK, 1993 Christmas Day December 25 Christmas is the day on which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Roman Catholic Church designates it as a day of holy obligation on which members of the Church must attend services. Originally, the birth of Jesus was commemorated in the East on the Feast of Epiphany (January 6) but by 354, the Christmas Feast had taken hold in the West and was observed on December 25. Since the fifth century, most Eastern Orthodox Churches have celebrated the Nativity on December 25; however, some Eastern congregations, called "Old Calendarists," still use the Julian calendar and honor the birth of Christ thirteen days later, on January 7. The Armenian Church continues to celebrate "Old Christmas" on January 6. As with many traditions surrounding Christmas, the selection of December 25 as a commemoration of Jesus' birthday may be an example of the blending of Christian ideas and the pagan traditions they replaced. December 25 was the date of the Mithric observance of the "Birthday of the Invincible Sun." This also coincided with Saturnalia and the Winter solstice during the period when Mithraism was practiced in Rome. Since the day was already being kept as a holiday, Christians may have adjusted the symbolism of the day, declaring it the birthday of their "Invincible Son." According to events in the Gospel of Matthew, the date of Jesus' birth may actually have taken place much earlier in the year. The word "Christmas" means "the mass of Christ," and originated in the 11th century as a name for this feast. It was one of the most popular and universally celebrated holidays in Europe during the Middle Ages. During the Reformation, however, the celebration of Christmas began to decline in importance. Reformers engaged in complex doctrinal arguments in an attempt to prove the celebration of Christmas was unscriptural. In some countries, the Protestant reforms brought about a ban of Christmas celebrations. By the time of the Restoration in 1660, however, the celebration of Christmas as a much more secular holiday was revived in these countries. In New England, Christmas remained outlawed until the mid-nineteenth century, and in Boston classes were held in the public schools on Christmas Day until 1870, with pupils who missed school that day being punished or dismissed. The mass immigration of Irish Catholics to New England brought about the reinstitution of Christmas celebrations. ___________________________________________________________________ "Christmas.", DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIANITY IN AMERICA, 1990 Both the northern European and North American custom of exchanging gifts at Christmas... are possibly related to pre-Christian celebrations at the close of the year. The celebration of Christmas has sometimes been opposed as pagan by religious leaders. New England Puritans* considered Christmas "popish" idolatry, and the Massachusetts General Court in 1659 passed an act against its celebration, though the law was repealed in 1681." ___________________________________________________________________ "Christmas", THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA, Vol. 3, "C-Ch", 1997 "The first mention of December 25 as the birth date of Jesus occurred in A.D. 336 in an early Roman calendar. The celebration of this day as Jesus' birth date was probably influenced by pagan [unchristian] festivals held at that time. The ancient Romans held year-end celebrations to honor Saturn, their harvest god; and Mithras, the [sic] god of light... As part of all these celebrations, the people prepared special foods, decorated their homes with greenery, and joined in singing and gift giving. These customs gradually became part of the Christmas celebration." "In the late 300's, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire... The popularity of Christmas grew until the Reformation, a religious movement of the 1500's. This movement gave birth to Protestantism. During the Reformation, many Christians began to consider Christmas a pagan celebration because it included nonreligious customs. During the 1600's, because of these feelings, Christmas was outlawed in England and in parts of the English colonies in America." ___________________________________________________________________ "Christmas", COLLIER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA, Vol. 6, 1992 "... The suppression of the Mass during the Reformation led to a sharp change in the observance of Christmas in some countries. In England, the Puritans condemned the celebration and, from 1642 to 1652, issued a series of ordinances forbidding all church services and festivities. This feeling was carried over to America by the Pilgrims and it was not until the nineteenth-century wave of Irish and German immigration that enthusiasm for the feast began to spread throughout the country. Objections were swept aside and the old traditions revived among Protestants as well as Catholics." ___________________________________________________________________ "Christmas," COMPTON'S INTERACTIVE ENCYCLOPEDIA, 1997 THE CHRISTMAS WREATH The use of evergreens and wreaths as symbols of life was an ancient custom of the Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews, among other peoples. Tree worship was a common feature of religion among the Teutonic and Scandinavian peoples of northern Europe before their conversion to Christianity. They decorated houses and barns with evergreens at the new year to scare away demons, and they often set up trees for the birds in winter. For these northern Europeans, this winter celebration was the happiest time of the year because it signified that the shortest day of the year--about December 21--had passed. They knew the days would start to get longer and brighter. The month during which this festival took place was named Jol, from which the word yule is derived. Yule has come to mean Christmas in some countries. THE CHRISTMAS TREE Trees and decorations. Ancient, pre-Christian winter festivals used greenery, lights, and fires to symbolize life and warmth in the midst of cold and darkness. These usages, like gift giving, have also persisted. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING Gift giving is one of the oldest customs associated with Christmas: it is actually older than the holiday itself. When the date of Christmas was set to fall in December, it was done at least in part to compete with ancient pagan festivals that occurred about the same time. The Romans, for example, celebrated the Saturnalia on December 17. It was a winter feast of merrymaking and gift exchanging. And two weeks later, on the Roman New Year--January 1, houses were decorated with greenery and lights, and gifts were given to children and the poor. As the Germanic tribes of Europe accepted Christianity and began to celebrate Christmas, they also gave gifts. Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia Copyright

Center for Law and Policy Press Release Justifying Effort to Jail Christians, Officials Make Baseless Claims American Family Association P.O. Drawer 2440 Tupelo, MS 38803 1-662-680-3886 For Immediate Release: 12/22/2004 Tupelo, MS -

Free the Philadelphia 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: December 20, 2004 1:00 a.m. Eastern

Judge Orders Christians To Stand Trial Bans Evangelism Within 100 Feet Of Homosexual Events Christians Face 47 Years In Prison Because Philly Judge Calls Bible Verses 'Fighting Words' PHILADELPHIA, PA. Dec., 16 /Covenant News Wire Service/ -- At a preliminary hearing held December 14, Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan dismissed charges against six Christians who were evangelizing at the 2004