“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors." When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem …(because of the) star they had seen in the east (that) went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”
Taken from Matthew 2 & Luke 2
I wanted to take the time this season to keep us all reminded of the reason for the season. It’s so easy to become distracted in such a busy time. In reflecting on this story, I came to the realization that I believe this amazing story has some meaningful comparisons that can be drawn from it. Prosperity comes to mind when I read about the wise men. I consider provision, as I reflect on the shepherds. And when I think of the Baby Jesus, I think of the Gift, the thing that we pursue to take hold of more than anything else in life.
In this coming year I want to wish upon you these things. As you pursue that which is important to you in life I want to wish upon you provision on your journey. I also want to wish upon you the prosperity that comes when you pursue what is important.
Here’s to a year of prosperity, provision, and possession of the important things in life.
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
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