Luke 2:6-14
And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. There were in the same country shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! 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 people: Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude from the heavenly army, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward mankind.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
You used that census to have Mary and Joseph head to Bethlehem, where she gave birth to your Son, our Savior. Your plan of salvation was in place to restore and redeem us to you. When the time came, and Mary gave birth, you did not send your angels to King Herod or even the High Priests to announce the good news of the Messiah; instead, they went to the shepherds to proclaim this excellent news. Those who were looked down upon by society, yet you used them to be your earthly heralds of the startling news the Savior promised from the beginning of time was finally here; he was the baby lying in the manger. Lord, thank you for sending us your Son; without him, we would be left in the darkness of our sins. We celebrated his birth because he was our redeemer prince, who would later take all our sins into himself. So we thank you that Jesus came and saved us so that you restored the peace between you and us.
We rejoice with the angels, singing, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Thank you for saving us through your Son, our Savior. Please forgive us all our sins for his sake, and restore us to you. And now, out of love for you, give us the courage to share the good news of Jesus’ forgiveness with all people so they, too, will be saved. Please grant us opportunities to share the gospel message of Christmas—Jesus is our Savior—with those who do not know you. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
The manger, shepherds, angels, and the swaddling cloths are meaningless without the cross and Jesus’ suffering for our sins. He lived the perfect life, died an innocent death on the cross, and then rose victoriously from the grave to save you from your every sin and overcome death.