The Birth of Jesus Luke 2 1:20

2 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^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register.

Pretend today that you had to go from where you live now to your husband’s or your father’s birthplace to register for taxes. How far would you have to ride that burro. Maybe it would have been your part to lead that burro. (My husband grew up in the city. It wasn’t that he didn’t like horse/donkey type animals, he just didn’t trust him). But he would have still led that animal the 63 miles from De Forest to Monroe, where he was born.) Just think that was all done, so no one could cheat on their taxes 😊

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 swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Can you imagine?  No crib, rather a feeding trough. No warm blankets. Nothing soft and tidy. NO EPIDURAL. Oh My!!  At least she knew that she had to swaddle him in that cloth.  

Oh! how times have changed. When my youngest daughter Sara was born, they had changed a few things in the 2 yrs. since Autumn was born. They came in and asked if I would like Rooming IN.  To which I replied “What is that?” It is when we put the baby in the room with you and you take care of them, instead of them staying in the nursery. Some may think this was horrible, but I had 2 pre schoolers at home. I was kind of counting on this as a rest time😊 So I replied, No thank you, she will be rooming in for the next 18 yrs.😊

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 that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

I have always found it a little funny (maybe a lot funny), how this great big glow in the dark Angel, says “Don’t be afraid”. But he obviously could tell they were terrified. I think our fear is just as much recognized today. The angel is still saying don’t be afraid, I have Good News for you. A Savior was born today, and I will tell you exactly where to go to find Him.

Maybe that angel knew they were in need of a little more assurance! 😊

¹³  SO!  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

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

I believe the Lord still understands at times we need extra assurance. Our souls knows it well,  That unto us a child was born was born.

This Thursday Dec 21 will be year number 4 since my husband of almost 49 yrs. passed away. This year has the added emotional fact that our 48 yr. old daughter is once again in the hospital fighting another stage four stomach cancer battle. While it is absolutely well with my soul, the game in my head is quite real.

Merry Christmas sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

When the jingle of the silver bells seem faint and distant.

Your silent night has turned to tossing and turning.

THE White Christmas is forecast to be April showers

And Frosty makes you sad , because you know he is going to melt.

It’s at these times that the Lord doubles down and not only sends an angel, but an entire Host of angels. Those angels look suspiciously like all of you. You each remind me of the Good News and Great Joy, that has never changed, and it never will. You call me. You hug me. You greet me, and send me snail mail Christmas cards. (I love them). At those times I remember Though it is true that LIFE IS HARD, it is even MORE TRUE THAT GOD IS STILL GOOD! Good News of great Joy still rings in my heart, even when my head is in turmoil.

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 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.

I find my strength comes when I remember Those Good Tidings of Great Joy, and when my mind is in turmoil, I ponder those Good Tidings in my heart. For unto us a child was born.

Blessings! Thanks for reading!

“Merry Christmas”