18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us."
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
"Are You God?"
One cold evening during the holiday season, a little boy about six or seven was standing out in front of a store window. The little child had no shoes and his clothes were mere rags. A young woman passing by saw the little boy and could read the longing in his pale blue eyes. She took the child by the hand and led him into the store. There she bought him some new shoes and a complete suit of warm clothing.
They came back outside into the street and the woman said to the child, "Now you can go home and have a very happy holiday."
The little boy looked up at her and asked, "Are you God, Ma'am?"
She smiled down at him and replied, "No son, I'm just one of His children."
The little boy then said, "I knew you had to be some relation."
The Prophet spoke in days of old. His Voice was strong. His words were bold. "Behold! A maiden shall give birth. Her Child, God's Son, shall rule the earth. "And we shall call Him Prince of Peace, For where He rules, all wars shall cease, And sin and death shall hold no fear. Behold! The time is coming near."
Along a dusty, winding road, A little donkey bears his load. Young Mary, great with Child, must ride, While patient Joseph plods beside. To Bethlehem they make their way. "We'll count you there," the rulers say. The sky grows dark. The day is gone, and still they travel, on and on. The road is cold. The road is long. It seems no place for a donkey song. But sing out, little donkey. Bray! The Prince of peace is on His way. At Bethlehem the inns are filled. Young Mary shivers, tired and chilled. But then a landlord, by God's grace, says, "you may use my stable-place. "And there as midnight moves to morn, The tiny Prince of peace is born. The quiet oxen see His birth, This Child God sent to rule the earth.
Sing, you oxen, large and slow. Songs of welcome rumble low. As He rests on Mary's arm, Your straw-sweet breath will keep Him warm. Young Mary smiles down at her Son, a helpless Babe, and yet the One the prophet long ago foretold in voice so strong, in words so bold. She thinks of when the angel came and told her of the Baby's name. Still smiling, she stands up to lay Her Jesus on the manger hay.Sing, young Mary! Sing with joy as you gaze at your newborn Boy. In God's great plan you've played your part. Now sing a glad song in your hearts.
The fields are dark. The fields are still. And sleepy shepherds drowse until God's glory shatters through the night. Then sleepy shepherds shake with fright. An angel speaks, "Oh, do not fear. I bring you joy. I bring you cheer. At Bethlehem near break of morn, The Savior of the world was born!" Stop your shaking, shepherds. Sing! This news changes everything. The Lamb of God has come to save. So stand up, shepherds. Sing! Be brave! The Angel says, "Now God designed a sign for you. The Babe you'll find in swaddling clothes on bed of hay. He's lying there this very day."
Then round the angel rank on rank of angels gather, all to thank and praise the Lord with holy mirth, Because He sent His Son to earth. Sing, you angels. Glory sing. Let all earth and heaven ring. Let your songs our songs increase. Glory, glory, good will, peace! And when the angel song is through, The shepherds know what they must do. At once to Bethlehem they run to find the Prince of peace, God's Son. Into the stable dark and small, They crowd, those shepherds, sheep and all. And Baby hand holds woolly fleece, the tiny, sleepy Prince of peace.
Sing a lullaby. Oh, sing! Let the little sheep bells ring. Gently now, you woolly sheep, Sing the Prince of peace to sleep. That little Prince, so humbly born, would someday die with cross and thorn, But, raised by God to life above, now rules the earth with peace and love. No earthly throne sets Him apart. Instead, He rules within each heart, and when we all our struggling cease, We feel His love. We know His peace.
Sing, you heavens! Sing, you earth! Sing about the Christmas birth. Sin and death and war shall cease. He's come, the tiny Prince of Peace.
Author Unknown
May the Love, Joy and Peace of Jesus Dwell in Your Hearts and Minds. Merry Christmas!
