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 their 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 guest room available for them.
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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven,
and on earth peace to those 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)
On this holy night, may you let these ancient words sink deep into your soul.
It may be the first time you’ve read these words, or perhaps this is the first time in a long time that you’ve really read them. Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle, slowly losing steam as the hustle and bustle of the season have swept you along.
No matter where your heart is today, pause, reflect, and rest in the story of the shepherds and the straw, of new decrees and new parents, of heavenly hosts and a baby King. What a wonderful story of a wonderful God!
May the twinkling glory of Christmas Eve breathe peace and life into your heart right now.
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I along with this weary world rejoice in Emmanuel.
May God’s Abundant love and blessings be with you and yours this Holy Season and always….Thank you for your precious ministry
This is a beautiful true story! Since my childhood, I have been told about the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
I am so thankful to be reminded of the joy it brings to my heart. I am a mother of three daughters. Being a mother is the best role I have learned to embrace. It’s a beautiful blessing from God.
I pray that tonight is a peaceful night and I pray that hearts are repentant so we all can enjoy our wonderful reminder, Jesus is the reason for the Season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
This is THE story that is worthy of public broadcasting; this is what our sinful world needs to heed!
In Courage,
My hubby & I watch Charlie Brown Christmas each year. This year more than ever I have felt like Charlie Brown. Doesn’t the world know what Christmas is all about? Love the part where Linus has spot light on him & recites Luke 2:-8-14 about the birth of Jesus. The ending is perfect also where they decorate their little tree & sing Hark the herald angels sing. For me Christmas has become to commercialized. Its about what gifts to buy everyone. No one really stops to remember the true meaning of Christmas. They should listen to Matthew West’s “Leaving Heaven” that tells of Jesus leaving the splendor of heaven to come down to dark Earth to save us from our sins. Hear the song “It’s about the Cross” by Go Fish that states Christmas isn’t about the usual things we think of, but about the Cross, my sins & Jesus who was born once so that we could be born again. Giving us real life. Such great songs telling of Jesus’s wonderful miracle to save humanity.
Blessings 🙂