This is our final paper before Christmas Day.

We pray that you will have a safe and joyous holiday with family and friends.

Jesus’ appearance and life changed the world of that time and even until now,

Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews, living in a world of hostility Their home in Galilee was a small village near a Roman military post. They traveled to Bethlehem for a census because Joseph was a descendant of David.

The birth probably wasn’t on Dec. 25, historians say. The early church had several dates ascribed for the birth and the official date to celebrate wasn’t set in December until the Fourth Century.

There likely were no holly wreaths of evergreen trees in the setting, either.

Some believe the birthplace wasn’t a stable at all as most of the creches indicate but rather a living room which were larger than other rooms in a house and often used to keep a family’s animals in at night,

We’ve noticed a couple of pretty creches recently, east of town at the Tom and Irene Garrett residence and west of town at the Tom and Sherry Arms residence.

Many homes throughout the area have beautiful lights and decorations commemorating the Christmas season and the Christmas lights at the Kingfisher park are always a big hit.

Whatever history buffs come up with tell a little different story than legends that have grown up around the season, it always gives us a little shot of happiness when we see local celebrations of the event. It says a lot about this county.

The account of Jesus’ birth in the book of Luke lends to its credibility because Luke is so factual in his reports right down to the geography.

His detail even related the depth of harbor where ships stopped off.

Luke, like Apostles, deeply believed that Jesus was God in human form - just as Jesus explained to Philip as related in John 14:9:

In John, Philip asked Jesus to reveal the Father, receiving the answer, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father.”

In our bumbling way, the idea that God could not send his son to a horrible death on a cross convinces us that Jesus was the human form of God and that he sent himself to that death as a means to save the world.

We have read a remark that the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia once made, which went something like this.

If the Apostles didn’t believe Jesus was who he said he was, they paid a terrible price for sticking to their story.

Only John was not killed for his belief.

John, the New Testament says, was assigned by Jesus on the cross the duty of taking care of Mary.

Also, probably the job of writing the final book of the Holy Bible, The Book of Revelation.

Jesus showed the world a better way. The third verse of the Christmas carol, 0 Holy Night, explains it best.

It goes:

“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!”

Like we said before, Merry Christmas Everyone.

Luke 2

(New International Version)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In 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.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So 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. 5 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 baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

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

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14”Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”