The Story of the Birth of Christ Jesus as
found in the Holy Bible, in the book of Luke.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken
throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius
was the governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his home
town to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town
of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's hometown, for the
census. As a decendant of David he had to go there. He went
with Mary, his fiancee, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in
a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no
room for them in the hostel.
There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had
set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel
stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They
were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here
to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for every
body worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town,
a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you are to
look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
At once the angel was joined by huge angelic choir singing
God's praises: "Glory to God in the heavenly heights; Peace
to all men and women on earth who please Him."
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked
it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see
for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running,
and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the
angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds
were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep
within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying
and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It
turned out exactly the way they'd been told! ~ Luke 2:1-20
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a simple scene that first Christmas – a rough room, a
young couple, and nothing but a feeding trough to put the child
in. It was probably quite cold and with family far away there
was little help. Not exactly the Hallmark moment we like to
show in Christmas pageants. And yet this rustic scene marked
the greatest event in the history of mankind.
God's Son became human and came to earth to save us. God had
promised to send a Messiah, one who would save His people. He
could have easily burst on the scene as a full grown man, a
seven foot warrior with fiery eyes and arms of steel. This was
what many people were looking for, but it wasn't how God did it.
He arrived in the arms of a young girl. He was, as another of
our authors put it "a very small package, wrapped in rags,
given from the heart of God. The perfect gift."
God gave His only Son to die in our place so that we, in all
our brokenness, could know forgiveness. He came so that we
could know what love feels like, real love – love that never
leaves, love that never disappoints, love that is never
betrayed. He sent His Son into a sad world to bring us hope.
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