Jesus is Born

A Virgin Conceives

Luke 2:26-38

26–28 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean

village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name

was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:

Good morning!

You’re beautiful with God’s beauty,

Beautiful inside and out!

God be with you.

29–33 She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the

angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become

pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.

He will be great,

be called ‘Son of the Highest.’

The Lord God will give him

the throne of his father David;

He will rule Jacob’s house forever—

no end, ever, to his kingdom.”

34 Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”

35 The angel answered,

The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

the power of the Highest hover over you;

Therefore, the child you bring to birth

will be called Holy, Son of God.

36–38 “And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone

called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with

God.”

Luke 2:1-20

The Birth of Jesus

1–5 2 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.

This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his

own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of

Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he

had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

6–7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her

firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in

the hostel.

An Event for Everyone

8–12 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over

their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They

were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event

that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior

who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and

lying in a manger.”

13–14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,

Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

15–18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to

Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left,

running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing.

They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the

sheepherders were impressed.

19–20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The

sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard

and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

Whatever reason you celebrate Christmas, whatever your intentions for getting the Presents, whatever you believe or don't believe about religion. We must remember that Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago, and to remember Him today, and to Thank God for giving us his son, and allowing his son to come to earth, and be born. Thank you God, thank you Jesus.