Category Archives: Christmas

THE CHRISTMAS STORY:

The Christmas story is found in Matthew (1:18-2:18) and in Luke (1:26-56, 2:1-40). However, Isaiah should never be ignored: 

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  (Is. 7:14) 

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (Is. 9:6)

Matthew gives us the story largely from the perspective of Joseph, including the dreams that he had and his family genealogy.   In this gospel the ‘Kingship’ of Jesus is the major topic.  Starting with the Davidic Kingly genealogy through Joseph and the coming of the Magi (Wisemen) who are looking for the new king.  Also King Herod’s reaction is in Matthew.

The events in Luke are given to us from Mary’s view.  The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and announces the coming of the child.  Mary’s genealogy is also given in Luke (3:23-38), she was also a descendent of David, but not in the ‘Kingly’ line.  Chapter 2 begins with the Christmas story that everyone is familiar with:

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And 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.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And 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!”

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I was tagged for a meme a couple of weeks ago by one of my blogging buddies- SLW. I decided to respond in a slightly different way. Since it’s the Christmas season, just like the venerable Christmas story of Scrooge, I’m going to take a jog down memory lane to Christmases past.

-30 Years Ago: Christmas 1977…

Christmas was an exceedingly busy time of the year for us in 1977. We were living in a rented house in Ontario, California at the time and had 3 little boys ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 7 years of age. I was an Assistant Pastor and extremely busy with activities at the church.

I can remember that Christmas Eve was an incredibly long night as I played ‘Santa Claus’ trying to put together one bike, one trike, and a sit-on firetruck for our toddler. I have never been very handy with tools and of course it never fails that on Christmas Eve, parts are missing and we forgot to buy the needed batteries.

I finally settled into my cozy bed for the proverbial long winters night at 4 am, when lo and behold there was a clatter and the sounds of laughter. Grandpa and Grandma Davis had shown up early, real early at 5 am. My father was at the door yelling Ho, Ho, Ho! to the delight of my 3 boys, nobody heard my groans.

Later that day, the bike and the trike fell apart, leaving me to explain how lousy Santa is at putting toys together. Those where the days and fond are the memories.

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