Merry Christmas - A Message of Faith

Matthew 1:18-24; Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 1:26-56; Luke 2:1-20

Mary, a virgin, was told by the angel Gabriel that she would give birth to a son.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed, "...blessed is the child you will bear."

Rejoicing together, Mary sang a song of praise to God.

Returning home, Mary was found to be with child.

"You will name the child Jesus." said the angel Gabriel.

 

Considering a divorce from Mary, Joseph had a dream in which an angel told him the truth about Mary's pregnancy.

Heartened by the angelic message from God, Joseph took Mary home as his wife.

Registration for a census was decreed by Caesar Augustus for the entire Roman world.

In obedience, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem and could find no place in an inn, only in the stable of an inn.

Silent animals watched Mary give birth to the baby Jesus.

The newborn babe was wrapped in cloths and laid in the manger.

Magi from the east saw his star and began a journey to come and worship him.

Angels sang to shepherds, "Glory to God on the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Shepherds spread the good news when they went to Bethlehem and found Mary, and Joseph, and the baby.

 

By Sallee Bonham

12/08/2013