Merry Christmas, 2017

At Christmas time, we get so busy that it seems like we forget to remember what Christmas is all about.  It’s a cliché, but it’s true.  To counterbalance the materialism, and sometimes hedonism, there is a lot of talk about the spirit of giving, showing kindness to the less fortunate, and peace on earth.  Certainly, Jesus taught us to do these things.  Please allow me to contribute the following passage, that I hope will provide an additional reason for the season:

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out

from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,

into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,

because he was of the house and lineage of David,

to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes,

and laid Him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host

 praising God and saying:

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,

that the shepherds said to one another,

 "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass,

which the Lord has made known to us."

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph,

and the Babe lying in a manger.

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known

the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

And all those who heard it marveled at those things

which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

(Luke 2:1-19 NKJV)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/ 

May the Lord bless you and keep you close to Him this Christmas, and throughout the New Year.