At Christmas time, it can be so easy to get caught up in the commercialism of it all.
Like Charlie Brown, it can have us upset and wondering what Christmas is all about.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 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. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 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.8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 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.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Luke 2:1-21
Now, you can link up your own Christmas related post.
This link up only has ONE post:
1. Please link back to my blog in your post.
2 comments:
Thanks for posting this Megan. Every Christmas Eve I go back and read Lukes description of the nativity, as well as TS Eliot's "Journey of the Magi". They're the best way, I think, of reminding ourselves what that time really was and meant - the semi-military government, the harshness faced by Mary and Joseph, the contempt that saw them consigned to a stable - and the way the whole world still changed, drawing even princes from the east through "the ways deep and the weather harsh, the very dead of winter". Sometimes I fear that through the tender love most of us are inspired to by the idea of the infant Jesus, we can forget just how world-shaking this birth was.
What a great reminder. I think we all need to take a moment and think about what Christmas truly means...the birth of Jesus our Savior. The ultimate gift from God. Thank you for posting this today! Merry Christmas girlie, love ya!
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