A Favorite Story

Luke 2:1-20. This is often the passage my family reads before Christmas dinner.

 

Verse 4-7: 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 guest room available for them.

 

How many times have I heard this story? And it still makes me teary. A simple couple. A precious baby. Birth in a stable.

 

Verse 8-9: 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.

 

Oh, surely terrified. I cannot begin to imagine.

 

Verse 10-11: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

 

Did the shepherds have any real idea what all this meant? But they believed, and they went to see the young family, and they began to spread the good news.

 

Verse 14: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 

Praise you, Lord! Thank you.