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In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:1-20)
The universal gospel of Luke records the birth of Jesus as being for all people. The clue is that he includes in his Nativity story, the visit of the Christ child by shepherds, the most universal of occupations of the day. He also gives as much historical setting as he can, recording the name of the Emperor who ordered a census of all the world, or that controlled by Rome, which included Israel. The decree ordered each person to return to their town to be registered there. Joseph, being of the house and lineage of David, returns to Bethlehem, taking with him, his betrothed Mary. He sought lodging in the inns of the area only to be told there was no room. The only place he could secure for the night was a stable, where Mary delivered the son promised to her. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, laid Him in a manger. A meager beginning of this Son of God. Luke records that in fields nearby, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks and an angel of the Lord appeared to them and "the glory of the Lord shone around them," which terrified them, but the angel said, "Do not be afraid; for see- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." And the angel gives them the way to find the child. Then an angelic choir appears singing praises to God. The shepherds go and find the child and praised God. Mary heard their words and treasured them in her heart, as the shepherds returned to work with the glory of God in their hearts.
This took place just as much as for you and me as well as the shepherds. God acted on our behalf, and brought to the world, He who would bring about the reconciliation between God and us. Just last night in a restitution center near here, one of our pastors was there with the prisoners watching the end of the movie, "God's Not Dead," and one of them, "Joe," asked about being baptized. This pastor explained to Joe the meaning of baptism and Joe asked if he could be baptized right then and there. He was baptized, and the glory of the Lord shone round about those men and that pastor. No, God is not dead, neither is the work being done for those who still seek God and being made right with God.
Merry Christmas, dear friend; may the Lord bless you and keep you is my prayer for this holiday season.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the work still being done in those who need You. Come and make this season special by blessing this dear reader and their family and needs. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed Merry Christmas!
Love,
Eradio Valverde
