“One family. One journey. One child who would change the world forever.” — The Nativity Story

In recent weeks, our country has been facing many big things — big tragedies, big fears, big questions about the future. Yet in this season when we celebrate the birth of a little baby…in a small town….in a small province….in a great empire, may I encourage you to be found faithful in the small and quiet things. Be found faithful to your spouse and children, to those in your community, to those in need around you.  Be found faithful in time spent alone with the Lord, in time spent together with those you love, in time spent preparing meals together, and giving to those less fortunate, and in doing acts of Christ-like kindness and compassion. Be found faithful, as well, in sharing the Good News of God’s loving and gracious offer to all mankind — His free gift of love, and forgiveness, and eternal life to all who will call upon the name of the Jesus the Messiah in faith.

————————————————–¹ Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. ² This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. ⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, ⁵ in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. ⁶ While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸ In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ¹¹ for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased.”  ¹⁵ When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. (Luke 2:1-20)

• Read a simple and concise explanation of the gospel, the good news, and how you can receive Jesus Christ today by faith, be forgiven of all of your sins, be adopted into God’s family, and be assured that when you pass from this life you will spend eternity in heaven with God.
• Read the Gospel According to John.
• My spiritual journey — how my parents and I came to faith in Jesus Christ