“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
Luke 2:1-20
A Little More Christmas
“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:6-7
It’s a busy, yet wonderful time of the year! We hope that you’re all enjoying these last few days leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Savior! I’m sure there are presents to be wrapped, cookies to be baked, and those last minute things to mark off your lists…I know I still have things to do! Today, I wanted to just give you one more small glimpse into our home, because after all….
Christmas Tablescape: O Holy Night
“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!””
Luke 2:12-14
What a night! We love the Biblical account of the night Jesus was born. I realize that so many of our activities, celebrations and festivities about the event are based on assumptions and traditions. That’s quite alright as long as we remember this fact.
We enjoy red and green, shiny and ornate, but there were likely no bright colors that night. Our Nativities are special and a focal point in several places in our home. All of them have wise men, gifts in hand, surrounding the new born King. Those guys probably showed up much later, but we still give them a spot in the scene. And of course there are 3 of them. Maybe there were 3. Maybe more!
A manger is a feeding trough for animals. Jesus was laid in one after His birth. Most of our depictions of a manger are made of wood, filled with hay and sitting inside a wooden stable. Perhaps this is exactly as it was that night. We were able to see some very old feeding troughs while visiting Israel and they were made of stone. Some believe the birth took place in a cave area where animals were kept and fed and not in a wooden stable at all. Wood was a precious commodity in Judea.
December 25 is our day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, God in flesh. We have no positive way to know the exact day, but it is certain, based on scripture, that Christ was born at night.
Yes, what a night. A night like no other. Before or since.
O Holy Night!!
Thanks for letting me join in on this week’s tablescape!
-Butch
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