The Story Part 2

CHRISTMAS

For a few moments think about some of your favorite Christmas memories.  Try not to focus on the gifts you have received, but focus on some of the great memories.  What are you thankful for?

Today, I want you to really STOP and read and listen to the Christmas story.  Put yourself in the story if you can.

Pray:  “God, You demonstrated so much love to me by sending your son, Jesus.  I cannot even wrap my heart around it.  Thank you for Christmas.  Thank you for the best gift ever.”

Grab Your Bible:  Luke 2:1-21.

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 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 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.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Jesus, the story is true.  As I write this I am listening to the life and faith of President Bush 41.  He was a man of real genuine faith in God.  He had trusted in Jesus with his life.  So yes, he was just human like all of us.  But here is a man of great achievement, great intellect, great leadership.  He literally had the world at his hands.  Yet, he knew he had to put his trust in something real, something bigger.

You have read the Christmas story now.  You have heard the story told countless times.  But have you made it THE story, THE person your life depends upon.

I pray you will allow God to speak to your heart.  Surrender to Jesus.  It is the most important decision you can make.

Prayer:  Jesus, I don’t totally get this Christmas story.  But I trust You.  I want You not only to be the King of Christmas, but the King of my heart.