Adoration of the Shepherds (1622) by Gerard van Honthorst depicts the nativity of Jesus

We pray you will have a Merry Christmas.

Luke 2 New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Father,

We pray you grant to us the spirit of wonder shown by the ones who first experienced the birth of our Savior Jesus, your only Son sent to earth to redeem us from our sin.  May we be as the shepherds who “²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

May we be as Mary who “¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.“

May we be as Joseph who was obedient to God even though it was an uncomfortable situation.

May we even be like the innkeeper who though he had no room in the inn, he gave what he had.

God Bless you and give you a wonder-filled Christmas

https://youtu.be/NWJul-Fdovc
O Holy Night  Chris Tomlin