The Real Christmas Story

The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

And everyone went to his own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

 " This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:1-20 NIV

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!--Debbie and Chuck

 

Comments

[DAWN]

I have read the Christmas story countless times. As a mother, I have often identified with Mary in the story and how she treasured and pondered all the details in her heart. As a city girl, I have often identified with the business of the town and leaving no room in my inn for just one more. I have read it and celebrated the birth of my God made flesh, the perfect babe. I have even identified with Joseph and his care for his family. But for some reason when I read it here, it was the shepherds that caught my attention..

"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child....
....The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. "

After we celebrate the Christmas season, light the advent candles, attend services, go to parties, open presents, and it is all over we need to be like the shepherds who.... "left and told others what they had seen and heard". As we leave this Christmas behind we need to leave and tell others what we have seen and heard and we need to be like the shepherds who "having returned, glorified and praised God"...

catch that last line afresh one more time....

They did not only glorify and praise God when the angels were in the sky above them announcing Jesus birth, they did not only glorify and praise God when they made their way to the Bethlehem, they did not only glorify and praise God when the came face to face with God made flesh laying in a manger, but after they had seen all these things, "the shepherds returned (back to fields and pasture where the attended their sheep)and they were still glorifying and praising God.

The festivities of Christmas are behind us. We begin to wind down from the rush to shop, wrap, eat and celebrate. But as we return to our pastures: our daily life, our jobs, classes,...we must continue to glorify and praise God.

Thanks Debbie for posting this simple yet profound story and giving me fresh eyes and a heart full of faith.....

Love,
Dawn George
Miami, Florida
www.georgefamilyblog.com