Celebrating The Birth Of Christ

by Pastor Dominic Ortega

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, goodwill toward men!" So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
Luke 2:8-15

Had there been newspapers in the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago, some of the headlines might have been:

"GRAIN SHIPS DOCK"
"PIRATE SHIPS SUNK BY SIXTH FLEET"
"STUDENTS CLASH WITH POLICE, ROMAN RIOTS END"

Mary & Joseph's Journey to Bethlehem

by Chuck Ness

Some Facts About Mary & Joseph's Journey to Bethlehem

We do not know every detail of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. We do know some of the facts as recorded in the New Testament. We know that Mary and Joseph were human beings with thoughts and feelings. We can also glean from ancient Jewish Mishnah's, and secular historical sources some information to help us understand some pertinent information not included in Scriptures about the time. Here are some of the particulars involved that may have been a factor in the events leading up to the birth of our Savior.

Who Will Take The Son?

I offer a story about a man and his beloved son.

 

The Christmas season is upon us, and I want everyone to remember that Christmas is not about the exterior things of this Holiday season. It’s about the Man this child would become. The Man who would one day be nailed to a cross and lifted like a snake in the desert for our sins.