"If you look for Me at Christmas" “If you look for Me at Christmas, you won't need a special star, I'm no longer just in Bethlehem, I’m right there where you are. You may not be aware of Me amid the celebration,You’ll have to look beyond the stores and all the decorations. But if you take a moment from your list of things to do, And listen to your heart, you’ll find I’m waiting there for you. You’re the one I want to be with, you’re the reason that I came, And you’ll find Me in the stillness as I'm whispering your name.” ~ Love, Jesus
The Christmas Story From The Message Bible Luke 2:1-20 1 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. 4 So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. 5 He went with Mary, his fiancé, who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. 8 There were sheep-herders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." 13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: 14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. 15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheep-herders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. 18 All who heard the sheep-herders were impressed. 19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. 20 The sheep-herders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
For me, the most exciting portion of this piece of history are the 10th and 11th verses. It's noted that sheppards were not regarded in high esteem so much so that they were somewhat loathed in some communities. But, the angels didn't appear to some governor, king, prophet or someone else of a higher stature but instead gave their promise to some common, regular people just like me. And then what does the angel say to them......... I take it very personal, just as the sheppards probably did, when in the 11th verse it says, "Unto YOU" is born this day in the city of David...............WOW! I am no one of any importance, of any high estate but Jesus was born for Me! But sadly, He had to later die for me also.............no one of any importance, or anyone of high estate.....but for Me. God Bless.........Bobby