1 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.)
3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 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.
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to
be married to him and was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be
born, 7 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.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields
nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of
the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 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.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to
you; he is Christ the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby
wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the
heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, ??and
on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15 When the angels had left them and
gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and
see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 So they hurried off and found Mary
and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning
what had been told them about this child,
18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds
said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all
these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Merry Christmas from our family to you and your family.
As we hurry and bustle through the Christmas holiday season we need
to always remember that without the birth of Jesus Christ there would not be a
Christmas. The greatest gift that God gave to all of us is His only
begotten Son. The problem is that many refuse to believe or accept the
fact that Jesus Christ was sent by God as a sacrifice for our sins.
Our challenge to you and your family is to bring one that is lost into the family of
God. My friends the Holy Bible promises that He will return and walk
the earth again, the question is will you and your loved ones be with Him?
Oh what a Christmas gift is that one receives the greatest gift of all and that is
the gift of eternal life with Jesus Christ.
Our great nation is still at war, a war that will demand patience from all of
us. Pray for our Armed Forces, their families, our great nation and her
leaders, and last but not least our missionaries through our the world.
During this season of where we give, please remember those that are less
fortunate, none of never know when we may be in that situation. Also
please give to our missionaries within your church.
In closing of this opening page again we would like to wish everyone a Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year. May God bless you abundantly, during this season of joy and
happiness.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day,
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat,
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!