Holidays, king james version

Good News

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And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Whenever I happen read these words, the din of human strife and bickering all seems to fade away. There are no posturing men here, striving for position and authority. There are no reams of man-made rules that dominate and oppress. There is no fear but only rejoicing. Here there is the promise of peace on earth. Here there is GOOD news.

Yes, Jesus is here! He’s finally here! The waiting is over and he’s come to live and love and die and rise again and live forevermore! Love wins. Oh, that’s good, good news.

I only wish that more people could stop the business of being Christians for long enough to actually ponder Christ.

44 thoughts on “Good News”

    1. And yes, Darrell, you are absolutely correct. This passage is so familiar and so beloved. And what you said sums up the difference between Religion and Chtistianity. We are not reaching UP to God, but HE is reaching DOWN to us. Have a very very happy Christmas with your sweet family.

  4. Hallalujah!

    I keep hearing the middle part in Linus’ voice, though. “That’s what Christmas is about, Charlie Brown.”

    1. I thought the same. I think I’ll dig out our Charlie Brown Christmas DVD and watch Linus quote from Luke.

  7. Merry Christmas movie house!
    Merry Christmas you old building and loan!
    Merry Christmas Mr. Potter!

    Merry Christmas SFL readers!

    1. “Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.”

  12. today’s posts make me think of the song “A World We Never Touch”, partial lyrics go:

    “Could we be so busy being saved
    Trying to impress a world that’s long since lost its way
    We pride ourselves in being set apart
    Yet we don’t have time to touch a broken heart
    Even if we found the time to care
    Would we take the risk involved in always being there
    Oh we hold the very thing they need so much
    Sometimes the Word of life can pass
    Through just a simple touch ”

    Here’s a link if you can stomach it (-:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqN50oUfSs8

    Hey, my daughter sings on one of the Joybelle CD’s from Reformers Unanimous, so I’m still a partial sucker for this kind of thing. 🙂

  19. A Merry Christmas to all — indeed, let us ponder Him this Christmas.

    Good blog for today!

  21. I have never posted on here, but I must say that this was a great encouragement. Thanks for taking the time to share Scripture and point us to the real reason for celebrating Christmas… the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

  23. Thanks Darrell, and a very merry Christmas to all of the SFL family. Such a beautiful passage. Peace, joy, hope, grace, and love provided to us in human form.

    The mother in me can’t help but think of Mary holding that tiny baby who needed her so much, but was God incarnate. I love to ponder the emotions she must have been feeling. Do you think she really understood that she was holding the Breath of Heaven? She held her very own Savior wrapped up and sleeping in her arms. So amazing! It indeed takes my breath away and fills my heart with love and wonder.

    1. I love the way that you put that about Mary holding her Savior. What she must have felt. Thank you for saying this. Merry Christmas!

  25. All those years, so busily and earnestly trying to be Christian. Now what a privilege it is to simply focus on Christ and let Him work through me. A subtle difference and yet at times so very, very life-changing.

    Merry Christmas, friends!

  27. That’s why I like celebrating Advent – – a time to focus – – to step back – – to be quiet before the yet-empty manger.

  29. Beautiful post, Darrell! Thank you for all you do here for all of us. Merry Christmas to you & your family. And, Merry Christmas to all of the SFL family. May you feel our Lord’s peace during this wonderful time of the year.

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