Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The True Meaning of Christmas

It's hard not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Stress can mount as we attempt to buy the perfect gift, or decorate the house, or fix the perfect Christmas dinner, or host the perfect Christmas party, or try to deal with spending another holiday by yourself. In all the rush, we often forget exactly why we celebrate Christmas - so please take a few minutes to read these words from the New American Standard Bible on the true reason we celebrate.

Luke 2
Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."
16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 The shepherds went back, (glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.


I hope as you go about your day, whether you are spending it with family, friends, or a quite evening alone, you will ponder these words and remember we have been given the most perfect gift - Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Merry CHRISTmas everyone! God Bless!

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Karen, Merry Christmas, Joy and Peace. May you have a wonderful holiday with your family.

Helen Read said...

Thank you, Karen, for posting the beautiful, true meaning of Christmas. I had hoped to do the same - and with a house full of family (many of whom are using the computer!) it has not happened.... thank you also for your kind and encouraging comments on my blog! Merry Christmas to a fellow Texan and sister in Christ! :) Also, wishing you a blessed new year!

Dean H. said...

A truly great post, Karen. I ran similar lines about the Christmas birth on individual posts the last several days.
Hope your Christmas was all you could have hoped for. May the coming New Year be a blessing.

Dean

Karen Hargett said...

Thanks Toni! Christmas has been nice and tomorrow my daughter and grandson come down so we have extended Christmas just a little longer.

Hi Helen! Thank you so much for your kind words - they mean a lot to me. I hope you are enjoying your house full of family over the holiday. I think it is great how our blogs inspire and encourage each other - I always look forward to seeing what you have done.

Hey Dean - I'm always glad to see you visit. Your blog is one of my favorites - inspiring in many ways.

I hope you all have a Safe and Happy New Year filled with many Blessings!

Unknown said...

Hi Karen me again.
I tagged you in a blog meme. See my latest post.
Play along only if you want to. No obligation.