THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the nation. This census was taken when Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his hometown to be registered. As a descendant of David, Joseph had to go to Bethlehem in Judea for the census. He went with Mary, his fiancee, who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel stood among them and the landscape around them shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everyone! A Savior has just been born in Bethlehem. You will find him wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: "Glory to God in the highest heaven; Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him."

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.

Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them. The shepherds went back again to their fields and flocks, praising God for the visit of the angels, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had told them. ~ Luke 2:1-20
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