From Saturnalia (a Roman festival in honor of the god Saturn), came the exchange of gifts and the habit of decorating pine trees. Many of the pagan traditions associated with the latter were assimilated, becoming part of Christmas as we conceive it today. Moreover, if the Annunciation coincides with the spring equinox, Christmas coincides with the winter solstice. But considering that March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation (when the Angel Gabriel appeared before the Virgin Mary, telling her that in her womb a child, daughter of God, was sprouting), 9 months later it is December. It is not possible to conclude in which year the early Christian Church instituted December 25 as the date to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Matt and his wife, Abby, have served in the children's ministry, led a Life Group, and have had the joy of serving on the worship team, and occasionally teaching Bible Study at Re:New on Sunday mornings.The word Christmas comes from the Latin, natalis, from the verb nascor, to be born. They became members in the Summer of 2018 and immediately felt at home.

The Simmonds family felt that God was (and is) doing something here and they’re excited to be apart of it. The theology is sound, the congregation is diverse, and the people are authentic.

Redeemer Church stood out as a welcoming group earnestly trying to live in a gospel-centered biblical community. After relocating to Royse City in 2018, the Simmonds’ visited several churches in the area. In December of 2017, the Lord made it clear that He was calling Matt and his family to move to this area. After graduating from Kansas State University, he began a career as a pilot. Matt’s life was forever changed and was baptized. Even at a young age Matt knew that apart from Christ he was not enough and the gospel truths that he was taught to confess with his mouth became the truths that he believed in his heart (Romans 10:9). Through the faithful teaching of God’s word from his parents, Sunday school teachers, and local church family, he accepted Christ at the age of ten. When his nose is not lost in books that only seminarians and theologians enjoy, he can be found playing in his flower gardens. He is semi-retired, enjoys studying Biblical minutia, especially Old Testament history. Stephen began attending Redeemer shortly after it moved to Fate and became a member the following year. Stephen has five grown children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren, Marilyn has two sons and four grandchildren. They were married in 2020 and reside in Fate. Stephen has been active in volunteer work for most of his life including a mental health counselor, PERT team member currently serves as a Hospice Chaplin and, delivers Meals on Wheels thru which he met his current wife, Marilyn. After a career in business, Stephen and his wife moved to Texas in 2012 and in 2017 she went home to be with the Lord. He came to the Lord in 1981, was baptized in December of that year in Lake Washington and has spent a lifetime studying and teaching the Word at Sunday Schools and Small Home Groups. Stephen is the fourth of ten children raised in an 'import' family in the Pacific Northwest. I long to see God use this church to foster gospel renewal in the lives of people and in this place we call home.” He can be contacted at prayer for Redeemer is that God would make us a Christ-centered & community-focused church here in the heart of Rockwall County that would make disciples of Jesus who would love and serve the people around us in the name of Jesus. Shannon is an avid football fan, enjoys time spent with family and friends, fishing, running, and trying to keep up with his kids. God has blessed them with two amazing children: Caleb in 2007 and Sarah in 2011. Karen is an RN with experience in both hospital and clinical settings and currently works as a school nurse in our community. He and his wife Karen were married in 2001 and moved to the DFW area in 2002. He is a graduate of Dallas Seminary and has served on staff at churches of all sizes and styles for the last 18 years. Shannon has pastored Redeemer since it’s launch in 2015.

The redeemer concert i am jesus christ