Jesus’ birth, known as the Nativity, is celebrated at Christmas (December 25) but the exact date is unknown, with scholars estimating it between 6–4 BC, based on Biblical accounts in Matthew and Luke describing his birth in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph, marked by humble conditions (a manger) and visits from shepherds and wise men, signifying his divine-human nature and lasting spiritual importance.
Key Details:
Location: Bethlehem, in Roman-controlled Judea, a town associated with King David.
Parents: Mary (his mother) and Joseph (her betrothed, of David’s lineage).
Biblical Accounts: Narratives in Luke (shepherds, manger) and Matthew (wise men).
Significance: Marks his humanity and divinity, a humble beginning for a spiritual leader.
Date & Christmas:
Unknown: The Bible doesn’t state the date.
Estimated Date: Around 6–4 BC, before King Herod the Great’s death.
December 25: Chosen by early church leaders, possibly aligning with winter solstice festivals.
Symbolism:
Humility: Born in a stable, laid in a manger.
Universal Savior: Shepherds (poor) and Magi (outsiders) visited, showing Jesus’ message for all.
Historical Context:
The stories emphasize divine intervention and Jesus’ unique role, though scholars debate historical exactness.
The event profoundly influenced Western culture, calendar, and Christianity.
For Christians, the meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation—the belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a time to commemorate his birth as the fulfillment of biblical prophecies and the arrival of the long-awaited Savior who would offer humanity redemption from sin.
Core Theological Significance
The Gift of Salvation: Christians see Jesus as God’s “indescribable gift” to the world, sent out of love to bridge the gap between God and humanity.
Emmanuel (“God With Us”): This title for Jesus expresses the belief that God did not remain a distant deity but entered human history to share in the human experience.
The Light of the World: Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth as a “light shining in the darkness,” bringing hope to a broken world.
The Cradle and the Cross: The birth of Jesus is viewed in the context of his entire mission; he was born in a manger specifically to eventually die for the sins of humanity.
Meaning of the Name “Christmas”
The word derives from the Old English Cristes mæsse, which literally means “Christ’s Mass“. This refers to the special Eucharistic service held to honor his birth. The term “Xmas” is also deeply rooted in Christian history, as the “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi (Χ), the first letter of Χριστός (Christ).
Christian Symbolism in Traditions
Many modern Christmas customs have specific spiritual interpretations for believers:
Giving Gifts: Reminiscent of the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the Magi to the infant Jesus, symbolizing his kingship and sacrifice.
The Christmas Tree: Evergreens symbolize eternal life through Christ, and the lights represent him as the “Light of the World”.
Candy Canes: Shaped like a shepherd’s crook to represent Jesus as the “Good Shepherd.” The red stripes symbolize his blood shed for sins.
Holly and Wreaths: The sharp leaves of holly are often compared to the crown of thorns, while the circular shape of a wreath represents the eternal, never-ending nature of God’s love.
DOTHAN: 10:35 PM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire Engine Company 6 ( Napier Field Road ), Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan Police to a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. The location is Westgate Parkway and Montgomery Highway.
Reports to Dothan 911 a white male subject, on side of road, south bound side, in front of Smoke R Us.
The primary Dothan Police Patrol Officer reported facial bleeding.
Emergency units are on the scene. The call was dispatched as moderate injuries.
Dothan Police is in charge of the accident investigation.
COFFEE COUNTY: This evening Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd, Coffee County Sheriff Chief Deputy Michael Hines and the Sheriff Patrol Sergeant are at Flowers Hospital this Christmas Eve.
A Coffee County Sheriff Deputy was exercising one of the many duties of a Deputy Sheriff and that was having to execute a pickup on a mental patient. The patient did not want to go peacefully and a struggle took place. The Coffee County Sheriff Deputy ended up with a possible broken jaw in dealing with the patient.
Law Enforcement have had to become the front line in mental health issues. The law enforcement officers realize that mental health is a disease like heart problems, cancer and any other medical condition. The State of Alabama does not provide the adequate resources needed to handle the mental illness and it often rests on those of law enforcement. And when someone stops taking their medications and they reach the point to be hospitalized, that often times rests on law enforcement to court order take the patient to the hospital. Law Enforcement do their best to reason peacefully with the patient. But often times you can not reason with a unreasonable person. And the patient becomes combative. The Law Enforcement Officer is guarded about the force reasonably necessary to enforce the court order and with the extra care and compassion to the patient causes the officer and at times the patient to get injuries.
Pray for the Coffee County Sheriff Deputy and the medical staff as they treat the Deputy. Also pray for the mental patient to get the proper care for the mental injuries they are combatting. It is a illness and a miserable illness for the patient.
DOTHAN: 9:27 PM Dothan Police Major Will Glover is on patrol with the troops tonight. Major Glover also feed the troops.
The patrol division took break in groups in the Dothan Police Patrol Briefing room. Major Glover had food prepared and brought it into the briefing room to eat dinner. He is also spending his Christmas Eve patrol across the City of Dothan.
Dothan Police Department has a lot of officers with small children. The meal is a small token of the command of Dothan Police telling them they are appreciated, that command realizes being a law enforcement officer is 24/7/365 and takes a lot of time away from their families a lot, especially holidays.
Some younger Dothan Fireman, without children, and those in EMS work Christmas so others with children can be with their families.
HENRY COUNTY: 5:47 PM Henry County 911 was notified of a male subject who fell from the deer stand. The fall was reported to be about 9 ft. and the male subject was bleeding from the head.
Henry County Sheriff Deputies and Abbeville Fire – Rescue responded. Henry County Sheriff Deputies established a landing zone near where the injury took place as Survival Flight was dispatched.
Unknown the extend of injuries. The location was on Dothan Road just south of Henry County Road 107 East at Abbeville.
ATHENS, GEORGIA: RSN has received word that Retired Houston County District Court Judge William D. ( Bill ) McFatter has passed away.
Judge McFatter served several terms, at least 18 years, as District Court Judge. While he was criticized at his sternness with people, Judge McFatter would order people to take their GED and was big on co-operation with the Court Referral Officer. The Judge felt he could make someone’s court appearance unpleasant so the person would end their trouble cycle. Judge McFatter wanted to force the people, especially young people, to turn their life around.
Judge McFatter was known to hold court into the night. He was going to clear his court docket for the day. He worked hard each and every day. Judge McFatter handled traffic, small claims, was over juvenile cases and a lot of other cases.
Judge McFatter did not worry about the defendants liking him. The Judge was worried about stopping the troubled path. And if the person agreed to go into the military Judge McFatter would do all possible to get their cases disposed of where that was possible. The Judge was always about getting a person pointed into a positive direction in life. BUT, if you were stubborn and did not want to turn your life around and improve yourself in order to have a better life, then you had better HOLD ON !!!! You were in for a rocky ride!!!
Judge McFatter’s wife, Mikie McFatter passed away earlier this year. They were both in an assisted living facility in Athens Georgia at the time of both of their deaths.
No funeral details are known at this time.
10:32 AM Miki McFatter – Wife of Retired Houston Co. District Judge Bill McFatter Passes Away
PANAMA CITY BEACH FL: RSN has learned that Miki Thrasher McFatter, wife of Retired Houston County District Court Judge William ( Bill ) McFatter has passed away.
Miki Thrasher McFatter studied at the University of Alabama. She and Bill McFatter married on July 6, 1968. She was a great inspiration to everyone she met. She was always smiling, laughing and is a person who enjoyed life.
Mike McFatter was the solid rock to Bill McFatter. She was with him along the path of life. She was in real estate for many years here in Dothan. Bill McFatter served years as Houston County District Court Judge. A very firm Judge. He was often criticized of his handling defendants in court as someone strict. Ordering young people to Court Referral and to obtain their GED. But his goal was if he could help someone get a handle on their drug or alcohol problem or get their GED to help them in life to obtain a good job and career, then he had taken his role as Judge and turned lives around. And if he could put fear in them about the court system, that would help deter them from repeat offending. His goal was to change lives to be what each person could be.
On Judge McFatter’s retirement, they sold their home in Dothan and moved to their place on the beach. The Judge, an avid fisherman, enjoyed he and Miki living at the beach. A life of relaxton, fishing and no stress. Miki shielded the Judge and was very protective of him in his retirement.
It is my understanding Miki and Judge were living in an assisted living facility in North Georgia near family at the time of her death. At this time it is my understanding there will be no memorial service, but one may be announced later.
A post on Miki’s Facebook said “to my beloved McMom, Miki Thrasher McFatter: God speed on your journey to be with our Lord. I am glad that you have found peace, escaped this world and can be the best you again in heaven. I miss you so much but treasure every moment that you were in my life, your impact on me was immeasurable. Thank you for all the guidance, direction and love that you showed me. You were the best McMom I could have ever hoped for. I love this picture. It is how I always remember you, full of energy, sharing that energy and love with all of those around you”.
