Page 4 - Grace Connections December 2021

WHAT If There Were No

CHRISTMAS? Pastor Joe Garnett

When we look in the Bible (a feeding trough) because the

in the book of Luke chapter inn had no room for them.
two beginning with verse one

through verse fourteen, we find Nearby, in the fields
an account describing the story outside of Bethlehem, a group
of Christmas. of shepherds were guarding
their flocks from predators in
Around the time of the darkness of night. Suddenly
Elizabeth’s pregnancy and a messenger of the Lord stood

John’s birth, the emperor in in front of them, and the
Rome, Caesar Augustus, darkness was replaced by a

required everyone in the Roman glorious light-the shining light
Empire to participate in a of God’s glory.
massive census, the first census

since Quirinius had become The shepherds were
governor of Syria. Each person terrified. Don’t be afraid! Listen

had to go to his or her I bring good news, news of
ancestral city to be counted. great joy, news that will affect
all people everywhere. Today in
Mary’s fiancé Joseph from the city of David a savior has
Nazareth in Galilee, had to been born for you! He is the
participate in the census in the promised Anointed One, the

same way everyone else did. Supreme Authority. You will
Because he was a descendant of know you have found Him when

King David, his ancestral city you see a baby wrapped in a
was Bethlehem, David’s blanket laying in a manager.

birthplace. Mary, who was now
late in her pregnancy that the At that moment, the first

messenger Gabriel had heavenly messenger was joined
predicted, accompanied Joseph. by thousands of additional
messengers-a vast heavenly
While in Bethlehem, she choir. They praised God. To the

went into labor and gave birth highest heights of the universe,
to her firstborn son. She glory to God! And on earth,

wrapped the baby in a blanket peace among all people who
and laid Him in a manger,
bring pleasure to God!