December 18, 2015
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.) And everyone went to their own town to register. 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. 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. 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
What an incredible life we have due to the birth of our Savior. No, life on earth is not all sunshine and smiles every day, in fact during the current times it is filled with much sadness, heartache, and uncertainty. Along with the world problems, we each have our own life challenges that disrupt the flow of our peaceful daily life. The one constant and for sure light that we have is Jesus Christ. He is the joy of our world and the reason for celebration of life no matter what the circumstances.
All I am certain of at this time is that I need and want to see Him in all of my moments. He is our gift, not only for the Christmas season but every single day. I have to put Him first and foremost in order to keep my life on the correct track; the only track that I care to journey on through. I have had my share of trekking along to my own tune and it has never worked out for the best.
From here on out I will be celebrating the life of Jesus every single day… as He is planted in my heart permanently. When I come to a bump of unpleasantness my heart will direct my mind to pass that little obstacle right along to my constant and sure companion. He has got this for me, for you and for everyone…all we have to do is believe! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!! The glorious birth of Christ has given us all the gift of a life to be celebrated with genuine heartfelt joy!! Amen.
Written by
Kelly Dobyns
The Birth of Jesus
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.) And everyone went to their own town to register. 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. 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. 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 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.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Luke 2:1-21
(NIV)
What an incredible life we have due to the birth of our Savior. No, life on earth is not all sunshine and smiles every day, in fact during the current times it is filled with much sadness, heartache, and uncertainty. Along with the world problems, we each have our own life challenges that disrupt the flow of our peaceful daily life. The one constant and for sure light that we have is Jesus Christ. He is the joy of our world and the reason for celebration of life no matter what the circumstances.
All I am certain of at this time is that I need and want to see Him in all of my moments. He is our gift, not only for the Christmas season but every single day. I have to put Him first and foremost in order to keep my life on the correct track; the only track that I care to journey on through. I have had my share of trekking along to my own tune and it has never worked out for the best.From here on out I will be celebrating the life of Jesus every single day… as He is planted in my heart permanently. When I come to a bump of unpleasantness my heart will direct my mind to pass that little obstacle right along to my constant and sure companion. He has got this for me, for you and for everyone…all we have to do is believe! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!! The glorious birth of Christ has given us all the gift of a life to be celebrated with genuine heartfelt joy!! Amen.
Written by
Kelly Dobyns
It is a good goal to celebrate the life of Jesus every day. If you slip just get back on the path again.
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