In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and this life is the light of men. And the light shines in darkness and the darkness cannot overwhelm it.
The Word was in the world, and the world was made by the Word, and the world did not recognize him not. He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. But as many as do receive him, to them he gives the power to become the children of God, even to those that believe on his name. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of God, full of grace and truth.
And the birth of Jesus Christ was like this...when his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. While he thought on this, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife because the child conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall have a son, and you shall name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.
This was done to fulfill the prophesy of Isaiah who said, “A virgin shall be with child, and shall have a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel...which means God with us.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree when out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David.
So it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Lo, and angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them and they were afraid.
And the angel said, “Don’t fear, for behold, I bring good tidings of great joy for all people. For to you this day in the city of David is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you; you shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, god will toward men.
When the angels were gone, the shepherds said to each other, Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.
They hurried and found Mary and Joseph with the baby who was lying in a manger. The shepherds then returned to their flocks glorifying and praising God because all the things that they saw and heard were as it was told to them.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Maranatha
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