We've arrived!

We've arrived!

One of the commentaries I regularly consult when preparing sermons contains a sage piece of advice from an experienced preacher: don't get in the way of the Christmas story.  Good advice for the one in the pulpit - and good advice for all Christians:  don't get in the way of the Christmas story - let the Christ child take center stage, not only this evening, but every evening, every day, everywhere.

Luke 2:8-15

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."

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