Seeing Was Believing
***
About that time, Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.
(Meet Les. This farmer is our church’s go-to guy. We joke that he’ll sing at your baptism, read Scripture at your wedding and dig the grave for your funeral. He, indeed, performs all these tasks — and more — for our church.)
So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
(The “donkey” is actually a mule. Our Joseph here is actually a woman, and the horizon includes farmsteads and power poles. But, you get the idea …)
because there was no room in the hostel.
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them.
The sheepherders were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide. A Savior has just been born in David’s town, A Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises, “Glory to God in the heavenly heights. Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.”
God has revealed to us.”
The sheepherders left, running, and found
Mary and Joseph,
and the baby lying in the manger.
Seeing was believing.
They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!
Oh, what beauty! those angels steal the show. Thanks for giving me this glimpse this Christmas eve.
JOy to you, Jennifer. And to all you love.
This is so great. I've been telling Roxy(my wife) all season, I miss those little Christmas plays with the kids. We've gone to the big fancy stuff – I miss your style. Thank you for sharing it's like being there.
This is beautiful! What a great was to honor the season. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Freddae'
http://coffeegodandme.blogspot.com
AWESOME!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas to you & yours friend!!!
Joyfully,
Wylie
AWESOME! Not sure that we will have Christmas Eve service here, but all I really have to do is come back here later…
I love how The Message reads, saying "The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen."
May we "let loose" this Christmas – and every day!!!!!
AWESOME! Not sure that we will have Christmas Eve service here, but all I really have to do is come back here later…
I love how The Message reads, saying "The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen."
May we "let loose" this Christmas – and every day!!!!!
Absolutely love these pictures! Especially the shepherds running to see Jesus. Thanks for sharing and have a splendid Christmas!
Kay
Been enjoying the pictures portraying Jesus' story, especially the one where the green-headed shepherd looks back to make sure the other shepherds are coming, too. I can't wait till my little ones are old enough to act everything out, too.
I can't imagine the heavenly host had any more joy in their faces than these little angels. Thank you for this post. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Still hoping I might get your way in 2010. Much love to you Jennifer!
Cute angels…But what an amazing experience, too for all of those involved in this re-creation of the most wonderful story!
Big smile 🙂
Jennifer, the pictures are so beautiful! God has blessed you with such a wonderful church family. What a great program! Inspirational! God is so good!!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Love,
Andrea
Thanks for giving me this glimpse this Christmas eve.
Work from home India
Awesome! What a great way to share the birth of Jesus! The angels are just adorable.
Truly loving this….
This is such a neat way to interact with the Christmas story. The pictures are priceless. What good memories. Thanks for sharing.