Tonight, and tomorrow, we celebrate the gift of Jesus, sent here to die for us and save us all. We celebrate a scared young girl, giving birth to the Light of the World in a stable of Bethlehem. We celebrate a child opening its eyes for the first time in the very world he created. We celebrate a miracle in the form of a child who was fully God and fully Human.
Can we realize what an amazing thing that was? The instrument of creation, Jesus, who held the universe in his hands and brought it to be, born to a young virgin with whom God was pleased. The baby in a manger who had already seen the entire cosmos be formed, with his help.
Can you imagine giving all that up to become a child? A small, innocent, defenseless babe in a manger, who would grow up to die for us? Such a miracle, such a gift. And too often we forget what Christmas means, even as we celebrate it. In all of the gift-giving, and family time, and general celebration, I hope that we can all remember the reason for the season - Jesus, the greatest gift we ever received.
"In those days la decree went out from mCaesar Augustus that all the world should be nregistered. 2 This was the first nregistration when1 Quirinius owas governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up pfrom Galilee, from the town of qNazareth, to Judea, to rthe city of David, which is called sBethlehem, tbecause he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,2 who was with child. 6 And twhile they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and uwrapped him in swaddling cloths and vlaid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in wthe inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord xappeared to them, and ythe glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all zthe people. 11 For aunto you is born this day in bthe city of David ca Savior, who is dChrist ethe Lord. 12 Andfthis will be a sign for you: you will find a baby gwrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel ha multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
14
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby mlying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But nMary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned,oglorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:1-20
xoxo,
Heart.Soul.Mind
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