Christmas and Calvary are forever linked for it was the sole purpose of our Savior’s incarnation. Peter paraphrases Isaiah 28:16, an Old Testament prophecy, speaking of the coming Messiah as the cornerstone of His New Covenant, the church. During His earthly ministry, Jesus said, I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Christmas is the celebration of the church of Jesus Christ, Who is its head (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:23, 24; Colossians 1:18; 3:17; 2:8, 19). It is estimated that there are 37 million local churches in our world today.