Great Tidings! the Ultimate Christmas Story

[bluidkiti]

Great Tidings! the Ultimate Christmas Story
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
I remember when my own children were born the feelings just running rampant through my mind - extreme joy and thankfulness, immediate love, instant protectiveness over this little being, being overwhelmed, being scared, complete bewilderment, being humbled at this miracle. I had no idea how I was going to raise this child..I knew nothing about being a parent.

I can't imagine what Mary was feeling being just a teenager herself. Did she know exactly who she held in her arms? Did she know the suffering and persecution her son would ensure? Did she know that her baby was going to die on the cross for all of our sins? The thought of all of it is so overwhelming that I simply cry - because I don't know how else to contain my emotions.

Today, amongst the joy of being with family and chaos of children opening presents, I personally am setting aside time to today to pray and thank God for the ultimate sacrifice He made for my sins and the wonder of life he sent to us. I pray for God to love me each day and for his love of me to shine through to others through my actions. I pray for God's peace upon this earth and for his peace to be within me. And I pray for the hope of everlasting life with Him in a place of no suffering and complete love.

For today, I wish you all a wonderful Christmas filled with God's love and peace. I pray for your recovery and victories each and every day!

Merry Christmas!

~holly

Luke 2:1-20 - the Ultimate Christmas Story
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 Bethlehemthe 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,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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.