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THE BIRTH OF JESUS

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be
taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took
place while Quirinius was governor of Syria). And everyone went to his
own town to register

So 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. He went there 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 flocks 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 of
great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a
Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign
to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a ."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on
whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said
to the 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 shepherds 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. (Luke 2: 1-20 NIV)

-- Author Known!

My CHRISTmas prayer for each of you is that you take a moment out of
your busy life and reflect on the miracle that happened oh so many years
ago, and yet, can happen each and every day in the lives of the ones
around you.
May you continue to grow deeper in your understanding of God's love
for you and His desire for you to show His Love to those around you.

Merry CHRISTmas!

-- doug