Good News of Great Joy…

Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to register in the census, according to the decree of Caesar Augustus.  Mary was pregnant, very pregnant.  There were no hospitals; no rooms were available so they found a place to sleep in a stable.

The circumstances for the birth of Christ Jesus
(NASB) Luke 2:7-14 “And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Meanwhile out in the fields…
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

The messenger and the message…
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 ‘This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

Multitude of angels from heaven…
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’

The shepherds own experience…
After the angels went back into heaven, the shepherds talked with one another and decided to go check out what the angel said.  They hurried to Bethlehem… looking for a stable with a newborn baby lying in a feeding trough (manger).  They did find the baby and Mary and Joseph in a stable with a manger used as a crib.

The shepherds told Joseph and Mary what they saw and had been told “about this Child.”

The shepherds went back to tending their sheep, but they told many what they had seen and heard that special night, that holy night.  (Luke 2:15-18)

~ Take it to heart ~

Good News of Great Joy…
Matthew 1:21 “… you shall call His name Jesus… He will save His people from their sins.”
Jesus was born… Savior: to save you from your sins!

Matthew 1:23 “… and they call His name Immanuel…”
Jesus was born… Immanuel: God with us!

Celebrate!  Christ Jesus was born!