Christmas is not just about family gatherings, gifts, and Red Rider BB guns nearly shooting out eyes, although I like all that stuff. The second chapter in the book of Luke recounts the birth of Jesus.
4So 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. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and 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.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."As an aside, the distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem (where Joseph and his family had to return by order of Caesar, as it was the birthplace of Joseph) is approximately 80 miles; this was no easy journey for a family on the brink of having a child. After the birth of Jesus, men conspired to end the life of Jesus for a multitude of perceived transgressions. Ultimately, they were successful. We have holidays to remember that time, now is the time to celebrate the birth of our savior and reflect on the truly amazing gift we were given when God became flesh and entered our world as a baby boy who would eventually drink the sin of all humanity and show us how to have true life.
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