O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy darkness shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
(By Phillips Brooks)

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In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.  This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
(Isaiah 25:9 -- NIV)

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(Luke 2:11 -- KJV)

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea when Herod was king.  After Jesus’ birth wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem.  They asked, “Where is the one who was born to be the king of the Jews? W e saw his star rising and have come to worship him.”
(Matthew 2:1-2 -- GW)

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https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/ceramic-wise-men-gm890716468-246750706

Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed.  They will soar on wings like eagles.  They will run and won’t become weary.  They will walk and won’t grow tired.

(Isaiah 40:31 -- GW)

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, good will toward men.
(Luke 2:13-14 -- KJV)

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"I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep."
(John 10:11 -- GW)

1. Little children, can you tell,
Do you know the story well,
Every girl and every boy,
Why the angels sing for joy,
On the Christmas morning.

2. Yes, we know the story well;
Listen now, and hear us tell
Every girl and every boy,
Why the angels sing for joy,
On the Christmas morning.

3. Shepherds sat upon the ground,
Fleecy flocks were scattered round,
When a brightness filled the sky,
And a song was heard on high
On the Christmas morning.

4. Joy and peace! the angels sang;
Far the pleasant echoes rang;
Peace on earth, to men good-will;
Hark! the angels sing it still
On the Christmas morning.

5. For a little Babe that day
Cradled in a manger lay,
Born on earth our Lord to be;
This the wondering angels see
On the Christmas morning.

6. Joy our little hearts shall fill,
Peace and love, and all good-will;
This fair Babe of Bethlehem
Children loves, and blesses them
On the Christmas morning.

(Author Unknown)

Joyous light of heavenly glory, loving glow of God's own face,
you who sing creation's story, shine on every land and race.
Now as evening falls around us, we shall raise our songs to you,
God of daybreak, God of shadows, come and light our hearts anew.

(By Marty Haugen)

Come they told me, 
A new born King to see, 
Our finest gifts we bring, 
To lay before the King, 
So to honor Him,  
When we come.

Little Baby,
I am a poor boy too,
I have no gift to bring,
That's fit to give the King, 
Shall I play for you, 
On my drum?

Mary nodded,
The ox and lamb kept time, 
I played my drum for Him,
I played my best for Him, 
Then He smiled at me,
Me and my drum.

(By Katherine Kennicott Davis)

Precious Child, so sweetly sleeping
In a virgin’s fond embrace,
Heav’nly hosts their watch are keeping
O’er Thy humble dwelling place;
Blest Messiah, new-born King,
Let my heart its tribute bring.
(By Anna B. Hoppe)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/childrens-nativity-scene-gm1085622772-291295370

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
(Romans 3:22-24 -- NIV)

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
(By Joseph Mohr)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/vintage-ceramic-nativity-gm1083467838-290664941

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
(Luke 2:8-16 -- KJV)

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
(John 1:29 -- NIV)

Down in a lowly manger

The humble Christ was born 

And God sent us salvation 

That blessed Christmas morn

 

(By John Wesley Work, Jr.)

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https://us.fotolia.com/id/185656835

 

 

 

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!  Amen.

(Jude 1:24-25 -- NIV)

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored.
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as Man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Immanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King!"
(By Charles Wesley)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/nativity-scene-jesus-gm1081781066-290095944

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.”

(Luke 2:15 -- NIV)

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:14 -- CSB)

Then God said, “Let the earth produce every type of living creature: every type of domestic animal, crawling animal, and wild animal.”  And so it was.

(Genesis 1:24 -- GW)

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:6-7 -- KJV)

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The main point we want to make is this: We do have this kind of chief priest.  This chief priest holds the honored position—the one next to the majestic God [the Father] on the heavenly throne.

(Hebrews 8:1 -- GW)

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
(Luke 2:10-12 -- KJV)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.

(Galatians 3:13 -- CSB)

If only you would split open the heavens and come down!  The mountains would quake at your presence.
(Isaiah 64:1 -- GW)

Original Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/horses-by-tetons-gm1051739106-281199214

 

The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 6:23 -- GW)

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
(Matthew 19:14 -- NIV)

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In the same way let your light shine in front of people.  Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.

(Matthew 5:16 -- GW)

Likewise, Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of humanity, and after that he will appear a second time.  This time he will not deal with sin, but he will save those who eagerly wait for him.
(Hebrews 9:28 -- GW)

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Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

(Matthew 1:19-21 -- NIV)

“Anyone can be sentimental about the nativity; any fool can feel like a Christian at Christmas.  But Easter is the main event; if you don’t believe in the resurrection, you’re not a believer."
(John Irving)

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This is why God has given him an exceptional honor—the name honored above all other names—so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of
God the Father.

(Philippians 2:9-11 -- GW)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

(1 Thessalonians 5:11 -- CSB)

And what I say to you I say to all:  Stay awake.

(Mark 13:37 -- ESV)

Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion.  Use your energy to serve the Lord.
(Romans 12:11 -- GW)

Always be joyful in the Lord!  I’ll say it again: Be joyful!

(Philippians 4:4 -- GW)

Let the kindness of the Lord our God be with us.  Make us successful in everything we do.  Yes, make us successful in everything we do.
(Psalm 90:17 -- GW)

Enoch walked with God; then he was gone because God took him.

(Genesis 5:24 -- GW)

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
(Proverbs 27:12 -- NIV)

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.  And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

(Mark 15:33-34 -- NIV)

Sing to the Lord of harvest,
Sing songs of love and praise;
With joyful hearts and voices
Your alleluias raise.
By Him the rolling seasons
In fruitful order move;
Sing to the Lord of harvest
A joyous song of love.
(Hymn by John S.B. Monsell)

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O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
(Psalm 107:1 -- KJV)

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Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17 -- GW)

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

(By Martin Rinkart)

And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands?  Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

(Zechariah 13:6 -- KJV)

The Lord is a great God and a great king above all gods.  In his hand are the deep places of the earth, and the mountain peaks are his.  The sea is his.  He made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
(Psalm 95:3-5 -- GW)

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Corrie Ten Boom told of not being able to forget a wrong that had been done to her.  She had forgiven the person, but she kept rehashing the incident and so couldn’t sleep.  Finally Corrie cried out to God for help in putting the problem to rest.

“His help came in the form of a kindly Lutheran pastor,” Corrie wrote, “to whom I confessed my failure after two sleepless weeks.” “Up in the church tower,” he said, nodding out the window, “is a bell which is rung by pulling on a rope.  But you know what?  After the sexton lets go of the rope, the bell keeps on swinging.  First ding, then dong.  Slower and slower until there’s a final dong and it stops.  I believe the same thing is true of forgiveness.  When we forgive, we take our hand off the rope.  But if we’ve been tugging at our grievances for a long time, we mustn’t be surprised if the old angry thoughts keep coming for a while.  They’re just the ding-dongs of the old bell slowing down.”

 

 

Why are you discouraged, my soul?  Why are you so restless?   Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him.  He is my savior and my God.
(Psalm 43:5 -- GW)

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

(Isaiah 5:20 -- ESV)

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
(Colossians 3:13 -- NIV)

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6 -- ESV)