Luke 2:1-7...The Reason for Christmas...

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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.

We have heard the account of Jesus birth many times in our lives. The trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem was not easy, especially for a pregnant woman riding on a donkey. And then at the end of their journey there was nowhere for them to spend the night. Certainly this was frustrating and even more so now that Mary has started going into labor. Mary and Joseph endured the hardship of travel and the rejection of a place to stay and thus participated in the greatest event ever unfolded before the world. In the meekness of a stable, surrounded by animals and livestock, the baby Jesus was born. Jesus was born!! What great news! It is something that we celebrate each year and yet so many are still unaware of the true meaning of Christmas or of the greatest gift ever received by mankind. This year let us pause and remember. Let us thank God for His gift and let us share with those around us the meaning of Christmas.

Blessings,

Alan B Conner