One of the privileges and responsibilities that comes with being a publisher in most printed products is sharing some thoughts each issue. I have been blessed to do that in a number of different publications during my 50+ years of writing… starting with my sports reporting for my grade-school newspaper. I abuse your mind, my wonderful readers, each month in this space. However, I can’t think of any better or more important use for my column space this month than to share the description of the single most important event in human history… the birth of Jesus. Below you will find that story as shared in the New Life Version of the Bible. I hope you will take a moment to read it and think on what it has meant and continues to mean to our world. May the “Reason for the Season” bless you and give you comfort and may you have a wonderful Christmas and a truly prosperous New Year.
Luke 2 In those days Caesar Augustus sent out word that the name of every person in the Roman nation must be written in the books of the nation. 2 This first writing took place while Quirinius was ruler of Syria.
3 So all the people went to their own cities to have their names written in the books of the nation. 4 Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in the country of Galilee to the town of Bethlehem. It was known as the city of David. He went there because he was from the family of David. 5 Joseph went to have his and Mary’s names written in the books of the nation. Mary was his promised wife and soon to become a mother.
6 While they were there in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth to her baby. 7 Her first son was born. She put cloth around Him and laid Him in a place where cattle are fed. There was no room for them in the place where people stay for the night.
8 In the same country there were shepherds in the fields. They were watching their flocks of sheep at night. 9 The angel of the Lord came to them. The shining-greatness of the Lord shone around them. They were very much afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. See! I bring you good news of great joy which is for all people. 11 Today, One Who saves from the punishment of sin has been born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. 12 There will be something special for you to see. This is the way you will know Him. You will find the Baby with cloth around Him, lying in a place where cattle are fed.”
13 At once many angels from heaven were seen, along with the angel, giving thanks to God. They were saying, 14 “Greatness and honor to our God in the highest heaven and peace on earth among men who please Him.”
15 The angels went from the shepherds back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see what has happened. The Lord has told us about this.” 16 They went fast and found Mary and Joseph. They found the Baby lying in a place where cattle are fed. 17 When they saw the Child, they told what the angel said about Him. 18 All who heard it were surprised at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary hid all these words in her heart. She thought about them much. 20 The shepherds went back full of joy. They thanked God for all they had heard and seen. It happened as the angel had told them.
