Merry Christmas!

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.  

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, 

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them,

and they were filled with fear.

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among those with whom he is well pleased!"

I love this part of the Christmas story - can you imagine how the shepherds felt, seeing the sky suddenly fill with a multitude of angels, all praising God!  Awe, amazement, fear, maybe even an overwhelming desire to join in the praise!  

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.    Luke 2:8-16

This Christmas, may we each feel the amazement and joy of the shepherds, and the desire to share the story 

of the baby in the manger with the world!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, 

and the government will be on his shoulders.  

And he will be called 

Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas to all!

Sarah