Dear Neighbor,
What an incredible story! The Word, who was with God in the beginning, and was God, became flesh and dwelt among the people that he created. (Jn. 1:1, 1:14)
Have you really thought about this? Has it impacted you the way that it should? What kind of effect does the incarnation have on your day to day life?
The Story, Luke 2:1-20
Mary was to betrothed to Joseph but was with child, conceived of the Holy Spirit. Joseph had to go to Bethlehem to register for the government ordered census because he was a descendent of David. While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to her first born son; cared for him and laid him in an animal feeding trough, for there was no room for them in the inn. There were some shepherds watching over their flock at night, when an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them; they were frightened, as are all persons in biblical stories when they meet an angel. They angel said to them:
Luke 2:10-13
Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
As if an angel appearing to them was not enough. Suddenly, there appeared with the angel a multitude of angels praising God and saying:
Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.
After the angels departed to heaven, the shepherds decided to go see what had been declared to them by the angel sent by the Lord.
The shepherds saw the infant Jesus and told Joseph and Mary what they had seen and heard about the baby. They were amazed by what the shepherds told them, and Mary treasured these things, pondering them in her heart.
The shepherds went back to their flock, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, for everything that the angel had told them was true!
