MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Luke 2: 1 - 20

1) Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2) This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3) And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is also called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5) in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6) While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7) And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8) In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9) And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10) But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people;
11) for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12) This will be sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13) And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14) "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
15) When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."
16) So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17) When they had seen this, the made known the statement which had be told them about this Child.
18) And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
19) But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20) The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as he been told them.

Matthew 2: 1-12

1) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herrod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
2) "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
3) When Herrod the kind heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4) Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5) They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6) 'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH: FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.'"
7) Then Herrod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.
8) He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."
9) After hearing from the king, they went on their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11) After coming to the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasurers, they presented to Him the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12) And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herrod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

On this day, the day of Jesus birth, I will ask you the question my Pastor asked us last night at our Christmas Eve service. Who do you really believe that baby in the manger was that day? Do you believe that He was the Son of God; sent to earth to save us from our sins? Or do you believe He was just a prophet who was not the Messiah.

He truly was the Messiah for us. He was sent to earth to live a human life, die on a cross and save us from our sins.

You shall call His name Jesus, and He will save you from your sins.

I hope that you will take this day, of all days, to search your heart and soul, and see what you believe. Do you believe in Him? Is He your Savior? If He is not your Savior, why not take today to give Him the greatest gift you can give Him, YOU! Surrender yourself and your sins to Him and ask Him into your heart.

May God Bless Each and Every One of You on this Blessed Day. And May You Have Blessed New Year!

"All Come, All Ye Faithful" by Celtic Women
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eLDvM7eSq0

"Angels We Have Heard On High" by Sandi Patty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bnP0k0JdOQ