Merry Christmas

I love the real Christmas story. The real reason why we celebrate. I think sometimes people (including myself) try to look for new ways to look at the Christmas story or try to find some new revelation instead of just marveling in the miracle of the birth of Christ. I mean, think about it. A king born and put in a manger! It's such a beautiful story and ever year I wish I could have seen everything play out the night of the birth. I can't even imagine what was going on in heaven. It's definitely going to be something I want to talk about when I am in heaven. I think that's why I like the song "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing" so much; just imagine all of the celebrating going on that night. It was probably beautifl beyond imaginiation. It's almost too much to even comprehend: our Savior born amongst barn animals showing He is here to save all people.

So, without going on further, I will let the real story speak for itself. The beautiful words about the night that literally changed the world forever.

Luke 2
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of teh entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the twon of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went htere 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.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flock 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 wraped 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 shpherds 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."

Merry Christmas.