Jesus Christ is Born

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to his own town to register.

⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The Night That Christ Was Born (lyrics)

(by Kirk Franklin)

Listen to the angels Rejoicing e'er so sweetly Receiving heaven's glory The night that Christ was born

Can't you see the people Coming from every nation Pleading for salvation The night that Christ was born

Oh such a wonderful savior To be born in a manger So that I can share His favor And my heart be made anew

Listen to the trumpets Shouting through the darkness Crying 'holy, holy' The night that Christ was born

Listen to the trumpets Shouting through the darkness Crying 'holy, holy' (Now Behold the Savior) The night that Christ was born

Heartbreaking.....

Update: This father & son have finally been reunited! Amen & praise to God! What an ordeal to have to go through.
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Originally Posted February 10, 2009
Could you imagine having (what you think is) the 'perfect' marriage & then one day your spouse leaves with your child & calls you from another country, where you were planing to meet them later for a vacation, to tell you they are not coming home & you will never see your child again? Demands you to give her a divorce & sign over parental rights? Then when your spouse remarries & dies while delivering the other man's baby, you think you will get your son back. Right? Wrong! Even after Brazil courts have awarded you your son back!

My husband & I watched David & Sean Goldman's story a few weeks ago on Dateline & could not believe how Brazil's government could help keep a son away from his father. I cried & I know JD was brought to tears. First of all the woman dying is a sign of Karma! But for the step-father to keep Sean, after he has a daughter of his own & Brazil does nothing to make him give the boy back is Ludicrous!

Please read this story & pray for this family. They have had to endure so much & it is time that Brazil returns that boy to his actual father!! Remember Elian Gonzales? We had to give him back.

Oh Holy Night (lyrics)

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks
a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night,
O night divine!

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus
in lowly manger, In all our trials
born to be our Friend!
He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger;

Behold your King!
Before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King!
before Him bend.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name!

Christ is the Lord,
Oh praise His name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory
evermore proclaim.

Set Me Free (lyrics)

by Casting Crowns

It hasn't always been this way
I remember brighter days
Before the dark ones came
Stole my mind
Wrapped my soul in chains

Now I live among the dead
Fighting voices in my head
Hoping someone hears me crying in the night
And carries me away

Set me free of the chains holding me
Is anybody out there hearing me?
Set me free

Morning breaks another day
Finds me crying in the rain
All alone with my demons I am
Who is this man that comes my way?
The dark ones shriek
They scream His name
Is this the One they say will set the captives free?
Jesus, rescue me

As the God man passes by
He looks straight through my eyes
And darkness cannot hide

Do you want to be free?
Lift your chains
I hold the key
All power on Heav'n and Earth belong to me

You are free
You are free
You are free