Christmas Story 2024
Dear friends, Merry Christmas! The miraculous story of Christ’s Birth is one told many times. I pray you will feel joyous and enlightened when you read or hear it again. I hope you feel as you did the first time. Rejoice as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The story starts in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. Each word paints a vibrant picture of the birth of Jesus. I’m sharing an abridged version of Luke 1:2-1-20 (NIV) as he tells the story of the Birth of Jesus. You can find more in Matthew 1 where he tells the Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah.
Everything about Jesus’s birth is part of God’s plan.
Joseph was a carpenter in Nazareth. One night, Joseph dreamed of an angel. The angel spoke to him and said, “Joseph, take Mary as your wife. The child she carries is from the Holy Spirit. When He is born call Him Jesus. He will save his people from their sins.”
Emperor Augustus Caesar had commanded that his people be counted. So, everyone went to their home town. For Mary and Joseph, the town was Bethlehem. It was a long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary was close to having the baby. They traveled down the hills in Galilee to the Jordan River. Then they followed the river to Judea and then arrived in Bethlehem.
The town was filled with people waiting to be counted. They found an Inn but there were no rooms available and Mary was ready to give birth. They went into a nearby stable. Mary gave birth to her child, Jesus. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and lay him in a hay filled manger.
There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them. The glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will bring joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths. The baby will be lying in a manger.”
Unexpectedly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel. They praised God and said, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth.” The angels left them and went into heaven. The shepherds spoke to one another. They said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see the baby Jesus, our Lord.
They rushed to find Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus. After seeing Him they spread the word and everyone was amazed at what the shepherds told them. When the shepherds returned to the stable. They glorified and praised God for all the things they had heard and seen. Everything was just as they had been told.
Joseph and Mary completed everything required by the Lord. They returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God.
I hope you enjoyed this simple telling of the Christmas story. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas xo
P.S. no TFT tomorrow, make happy memories.
