The Birth of Jesus Christ 1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was 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 those with whom he is pleased!"
15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
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The Savior was born in Bethlehem in a lowly way, just as the prophets foretold. He was born for us so that He could die for us. And we rejoice, just as those shepherds rejoiced. I love the shepherds--they went with haste to see the Baby, and they praised God and told others about Jesus. And God choosing to have the angels come to lowly shepherds is a great reminder that Christ came for ALL people. We have heard the Christmas story so often, but it should never fail to awe us each time we hear it or read it. God taking on flesh to redeem sinful mankind. What an incredible, loving God we have!
New Year's Day is always kind of cool. The whole year is ahead and you imagine what might happen, what lies ahead. It's exciting. It is also a new start. An opportunity to maybe do things differently or try something new. I usually make some resolutions. I don't always keep them long term, but they are good guides. And I developed the custom a few years ago to pick a theme phrase or word for the year. It is something I try to come back to and use as a guide. Past themes have included "It's Not the End of the World," "Contentment," and "Forward." 2008's theme is "In the Moment" a reminder to myself to not always be looking ahead so much that I don't enjoy the present or here and now. Because sometimes my life feels like it's on fast forward. I guess it's funny to have "In the Moment" following the past year's theme of "Forward." But the theme I pick is what I feel I need to focus on at a particular time in my life. 
