Luke 2:1-14
1 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
Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 And everyone went to his 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 room for them in the inn.
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 of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ 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, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
One of my very favorite
pieces of scripture is the angels visiting the shepherds. I always am
whisked away in my imagination for a brief moment in time wondering what it would be like to
experience something so incredibly supernatural. What did the shepherds say, or do? Was it an
ordinary night, or was there something else a bit amiss during that night? Was any shepherd not there that night? Perhaps detained and ended up missing the whole thing? What did they even say to each other in the midst of their being terrified? Were they awestruck? Dumbstruck? There are those moments in life when there is no way of conveying how you feel in the moment. I am thankful this year for the awe inspiring things in my life. I am thankful to an Aunt who lived her life well. I am struck speechless at times to describe this little person in stature but a mighty warrior in spirit. She is missed greatly. I cannot describe the new level of love that I feel towards my daughter
Zoë. How can you even begin to describe the love you have for a child? I now know a bit more than I did before, of God's love for us, while thinking of Him sending His son as a baby to this earth. I am also thankful for my husband Paul. I have seen him serve me at my worst and I am grateful for his gentle, tender, patient, and kind spirit. I see the fruit of the spirit in him everyday. I guess I am struck by the little things that God allows in our lives to see a glimpse of Him, like the angels that night singing with the shepherds and bringing good news. Tonight I am thinking of our good friends in Africa, for those people preparing to go and minister in other countries. I am praying for those people who are hurting for lost loved ones, in pain, or far from those they love. Lord, may your peace rest on them and may you give them a glimpse of your glory in their lives.
Here Zoë is playing with her new cup that has her name on it from her Nonna and Grandpa in KC.
