Merry Christmas, everyone! We had a wonderful visit with my younger sister’s family in Klamath Falls, OR. They showed us Rob’s and Nate’s school and the little theater where their family all performed in It’s a Wonderful Life. Then my sister took us to the Dollar Tree so Mark and I could do our traditional $10 hunt for gifts for each other. We don’t need much and we have fun hiding from each other in the aisles where we’re picking up little things so we have something to open from each other on Christmas. We ended the day along with Lauryn and Rob watching the original black and white version of A Christmas Carol.
This morning after a waffle breakfast prepared by my brother-in-law, we hit the road for the Portland area. Driving through the mountains was a little harrowing for Mark, but once we hit I-5 we were in familiar territory. We parked the RV in my older sister’s driveway where we’ll be for the next week. She had dinner ready for us and then we ran to the Christmas Eve service at Reedwood Friends where we were surrounded by friends all wanting to know about our adventures. Then it was back to my sister’s house for dessert and to finish wrapping our presents for each other.
However, our travels pale in light of the Christmas story. Here is what is most important:
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[a] 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. 6 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.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.