all citizens journey back to the
hometowns of their families. So a
man named Joseph, whose family
happened to be from Bethlehem and
who happened to be engaged to a
young virgin who happened to be
pregnant, traveled back with his
new wife to register.
became flesh and dwelt among us"
(John 1:14). No one has said it any
better than Charles Wesley:
have been accompanied by some
kind of heavenly ad campaign to
make it known. But no, this baby
was delivered in silence.
the countryside and chose a few
shepherds. Never once are they
named, this bunch of no account
shepherds, because it is to no
account people that Jesus came: to
sinners, people who deserve hell
and, were it not for His grace would
be destined to spend eternity there.
and they were terribly frightened.
`Don't be afraid; I bring you news
from God, good news of great joy
which shall be for all the people.
Today, in the city of David, there
has been born for you a Savior, who
is Christ the Lord'" (Luke 2: 9-11).
man. He came as a little baby,
tucked away in a feeding trough, in
a manager, just over the hill.
before or since. Just that night.
What did they do? "When the angels
had gone away into heaven, the
shepherds began saying to one
another, `Let's go straight to Bethle-
hem to see this thing that has
happened which the Lord has made
known to us'" (Luke 2:15).
Baby as it lay in the feeding trough.
known the statement which had
been told them about this Child"
(Luke 2:17).
the prophets, the gospel writers, the
eyewitnesses, the angels, to say that
the gift has arrived. Take Him.
Commander for The Salvation Army
in the USA, with offices at National
Headquarters in Alexandria, VA.