“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. Perhaps this is the first time in a long time that you’ve really read them. Maybe you’ve been somewhere in the middle, slowly losing steam as the hustle and bustle of the season swept you along.
No matter where your heart is tonight, may you allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the story of shepherds and straw, of new decrees and new parents, of heavenly hosts and a baby King. What a wonderful story! What a wonderful God!
May the twinkling glory of Christmas Eve breathe peace and life into your heart tonight.
May the twinkling glory of Christmas Eve breathe peace and life into your heart tonight. Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
The timeless story of Jesus’ birth and surrounding events is so beautiful! The story of the angels pronouncement to the shepherds leaves me in awe and wonder! What a glorious way God gave to announce His Son! And how the Word of His birth must have spread from person to person! Yet Mary, who already had been told, kept this things in mind, because the angel had told her in advance. Praise God for His glorious plans for the birth of our Messiah!
In Courage,
I have learned insights into this story. Most translations say Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes. NIV says clothes. It is actually bandages-grave clothes that Mary & Joseph would have had on their long journey. An indication of His future death. It would have been awe inspiring to witness a whole choir of angels singing & praising God. People must have wondered what was going on. I sure would want to go see what the heck was happening. There is a song out by Matthew West called “Leaving Heaven”. It talks about Jesus leaving the splendor of Heaven to come to broken earth. Hanging a star in the East so everyone will know where I touch down. He loves us that much. Praying everyone has a blessed Charlie Brown Christmas & a very happy, healthy & prosperous new year.
Thanks for all you do!! Advent blessings 🙂