And So It Is Christmas....

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May God Bless You and Be With You Today.

Joseph and Mary lived in the village of Nazareth back in the time when Rome was an Empire ruled by Caesar Augustus and Israel was under the authority of Rome and governed by King Herod. Joseph was a carpenter. Mary was a young girl who was to become his wife. Mary told Joseph of a dream in which she was visited by an angel who told her she had been chosen to bear the Son of God and his name was to be Jesus. He didn't believe her at first, but he loved her, and when she became pregnant, despite initial doubts, he was willing to stand by her side.

One day the emperor sent notice that all persons were to return to the towns of their birth to register for the census. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem. Mary, who was close to birth, rode on a donkey while Joseph walked beside her.

When they reached Bethlehem it was night. They looked for a place to rest but because of the census, there were no empty rooms in the inns. One inn keeper took pity on them though and told them where they could stay with the cows and sheep.

So Joseph and Mary went to the stable area. Mary gave birth to a son the next night. They found a manger in the stable and used it for the baby and named the baby Jesus, just as they had been instructed by the angel.

When the child was born a great star appeared over Bethlehem that could be seen for miles around. In the fields nearby shepherds were tending their flocks. An angel appeared to them surrounded by bright light. The shepherds were frightened and tried to run.

"Fear Not," said the angel, "For I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem - a Saviour who is Christ the Lord."

"And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

Suddenly the sky was filled with angels, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men."

After the angels departed the shepherds set out for Bethlehem. When they reached the stable they went inside and found the child there, wrapped in swaddling clothes just as the angel said.

As the star shined over Bethlehem, three eastern kings, who some say were actually astronomers, saw it. They knew it was a sign and they set off to follow the star. They traveled for many days, always following the bright star.

When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, after spending a night with King Herod, they found the child in the manger. The 3 kings bowed to their knees and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And we shall call him Emmanuel - for he is God with Us - our Lord and Savior, the only begotten son of God the Father, given so that no man shall perish.

God Loved the world so much that he gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in me will not die but live forever. God didn’t send his Son to condemn the world, but to save it.

You see, men who have faith in Jesus aren't going to be judged. But those that DON'T have faith in him have already been judged - even now, because he has no faith in the name of the only Son of God.

Jesus didn’t come to earth to put everyone down or hate them for the things they’ve done wrong…he’s trying to SAVE everyone.

The rest of this story, the best part, we get to tell at Easter time...
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