The Christmas Story

Merry Christmas, everyone!


In those days



Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire



world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So



also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of



because he belonged to the



and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the



to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a



because there was no



for them in the inn. And there were



living out in the



nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at



An



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. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

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

May the simple, yet miraculous truth of the Christmas story touch your heart anew this year.

Peace,

Paul
Wrigley Wax