Christmas Day 2017 | Christ is born today!
December 25, 2017
Editor's Note
About the author: Not a lot is known about Luke. He is believed to be the author of the books of Luke and Acts and a close friend of Paul. It is also believed that he was a physician and the only Gentile to write any part of the New Testament. Though Luke was not present with Jesus during his ministry, and likely was not a believer until after Jesus’ resurrection, Luke’s attention to detail and abundant eyewitness accounts make him a credible historian for the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
About this post: Throughout Advent we have heard from 22 (23 if you count today) authors and explored the themes of waiting, mystery, redemption, and incarnation. Our authors are from a variety of backgrounds including musicians, jewelers, pastors, students, realtors, moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, and many others. Thank you to all who contributed! I believe your writing has been a blessing to many. Thank you to all who have participated and been good sports about receiving a 7 am text every morning! May we all have a blessed and joyous Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our savior.
Incarnation | Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.