When most of us older members were growing up people generally believed that Christmas pictured the birth of Christ. Today nations all over the world celebrate this holiday and in most cases with little or no religious meaning attached to it. How did this change take place? In this sermon Mr. Smith asks some more important questions. What does God think of Christmas? How did a celebration that is filled with non-biblical practices that pre-date Christ grow into a religous holiday?

Gary Smith

United Church of God Pastor

Gary Smith was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, but spent most of his youth in the Pasadena, California area. He graduated from Ambassador College in 1976 and he and his wife, Liz, moved to Peoria, Illinois. For the next six years he worked as a nursing home administrator in Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.
In 1982, he and Liz began to serve in the full-time ministry. Since that time, they have served in a number of congregations in the Midwest.
Gary and Liz now pastor in Houston, Texas near their two children and grandson.