We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

This was the account of Jesus' birth:

Everything had happened just as Isaiah the prophet had said many years before: "There will be a young woman.  She will never have slept with a man like a wife would.  But she will have a baby.  She will call him Immanuel, which means 'God with us'."

At that time, Ceasar Augustus was the highest ruler.  He made a law that everyone should be counted.  So people had to go back to their own towns to be counted.  These were the towns where their families from long ago had been born.  That meant Joseph had to leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem in the hill country.  That's because he was from the family of King David.

So Joseph went to Bethlehem and took Mary with him to be counted.  While they were in Bethlehem, the baby was born.  It was a boy.  Mary wrapped him in warm cloth.  But she had to put him in a feed box for animals.  That's because there was no place to stay in the inn.  The rooms were full.

There were some fields close to the town.  That night, some shepherds were out in the fields.  They were taking care of their sheep.

God sent an angel to the shepherds.  God's greatness shone all around them.  They were afraid.  "Don't be afraid," said the angel.  "I'm bringing you good news.  Great joy is coming for all people.  Today, in the town of Bethlehem, a baby was born.  He is Jesus Christ the Lord, and he has come to save you.  Here's how you can know it's him.  You'll find him in a feed box."

 All of a sudden many many angels showed up.  They all cheered for God.  They said, "God in the highest heaven gets the praise for this!  Peace is coming to people who make God happy!"  Then the angels went back to heaven. 

"Something special happened in Bethlehem, let's go see," said the shepherds.  The shepherds hurried into town.  There they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby.  The baby was in a feed box for animals.

Then the shepherds left to tell everyone what the angels said.  People who heard it were surprised.  Mary thought deeply about everything that had happened.  She kept it all in her heart like a special gift.

The shepherds went back to their fields.  They cheered for God.  They thanked him for what they had heard and seen.  It was just the way the angel said it would be. (Mat. 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-20 - Day By Day Bible)

World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific wishes you peace, good tidings, and great joy this Christmas!

Thank you for ministering with us this year by being a part of us, our staff, and our projects.  We hope and pray for your continued partnership as we look forward to 2009.

this post was filed under Inspirations on Dec 24, 2008