In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” — Luke 2:1–14
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this! — Isaiah 9:1–6
The Star of Bethlehem burns brightest in our deepest darkness, and the Lord delivers us into its light on Christmas Day. A savior has been born to us as one of us, come not as a mighty warlord but as an infant to share in our poverty and sorrow. Through Him, our exile from Eden and the Lord’s presence will be resolved and our sinful natures perfected – not through our own efforts but from His effortless grace and abject sacrifice.
It is this moment of peace, when all Creation held its breath as the Lord entered our world and took on our own form, that should speak to us at all times of our lives. Too often we forget, however, as the worries and travails of our lives in this fallen world make us forget the act of impossible love that took place in Bethlehem that night. When we could no longer reach the Father, He came to us with the gift of salvation and mercy, teaching us the true nature of love itself. In that, every heart should sing with joy for His love for us.
From all of us to all our readers at Hot Air and across the Townhall Media Group, we wish you a blessed and merry Christmas. For one last victorious look at the Nativity, I will leave you (as I do most years) with this beautiful scene from The Nativity Story.
The front page image is “The Nativity of Christ” by Franceso Francia, c.1490. On display at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Via Wikimedia Commons.
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