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December 25, 2023
Emmanuel, God is with Us!
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NLT)
By the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary the Virgin, my beloved, conceived a child and was instructed by the angel Gabriel to name him Jesus because he is the Son of God. (Luke 1:31) Mary and Joseph were married, even though she was with a child by divine intervention. Joseph had to return to Bethlehem to register for the census because he was in David’s lineage, and he took Mary with him. (Luke 2:3-5 NLT) While in Bethlehem, she gave birth to her firstborn child wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth, and laid him in a manger because there was no lodging available for them. (Luke 2:6-7 NLT) That night shepherds were staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
At once, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:8-14 NLT) They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing Him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and often thought about them. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. (Luke 2:15-20 NLT)
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NLT) The Virgin Mary gave birth to our Savior, the Messiah, and His name is Emmanuel; God is with us. (Isaiah 7:14 NLT) We celebrate the birth of our Savior!
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