AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS THAT A DECREE WENT OUT FROM CAESAR AUGUSTUS THAT ALL THE WORLD SHOULD BE REGISTERED. (Luke 2:1)
And so it was that My parents, Mary and Joseph, travelled from Galilee to Bethlehem to be registered.
SO IT WAS, THAT WHILE THEY WERE THERE, THE DAYS WERE COMPLETED FOR HER TO BE DELIVERED. AND SHE BROUGHT FORTH HER FIRSTBORN SON, AND WRAPPED HIM IN SWADDLING CLOTHS, AND LAID HIM IN A MANGER, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN. (Luke 2:6,7)
NOW THERE WERE IN THE SAME COUNTRY SHEPHERDS LIVING OUT IN THE FIELDS, KEEPING WATCH OVER THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT. AND BEHOLD AN ANGEL OF THE LORD STOOD BEFORE THEM, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHONE AROUND THEM, AND THEY WERE GREATLY AFRAID. THEN THE ANGEL SAID TO THEM, 'DO NOT BE AFRAID, FOR BEHOLD, I BRING YOU GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY WHICH WILL BE TO ALL PEOPLE. FOR THERE IS BORN TO YOU THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR, WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD. (Luke 2:8-11)
And so it was that after the angels returned to heaven the shepherds decided to go and see this thing that had come to pass. They found us in the stable in Bethlehem and proclaimed to all what the angel had told them about My birth.
Wise men from the East, seeing My star, followed it to Jerusalem in search of Me and were directed to Bethlehem where the star they had seen went before them and stood over where I was. The wise men worshipped Me and gave Me gifts of gold, frankincense and Myrrh. And so began My sojourn on earth. Study the Scriptures and learn about My life and teaching while I walked among the people.
O My people, do not be so caught up with the trappings of the world that your thoughts never turn to the true meaning of Christmas and the reason to celebrate it. Proclaim the story of My birth to all who cross your path, adding to it the story of My death on the cross of Calvary, where I paid the penalty for all time for the sins of the world that all might have eternal life and live with Me in heaven for evermore.
Beloved, go forth at this Christmas season and boldly proclaim Me before men, revealing the truth of My birth so long ago and the reason that My Father sent Me to dwell among men, so that all would be saved.
