The angel Gabriel said unto Mary, "Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bare a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."
Then said Mary unto the angel, "How can this be, seeing I know not a man?"
And the angel answered and said unto her "...with God, nothing shall be impossible."
And Mary said, "Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
And the angel departed from her.
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And so it was, that, while they were in Bethlehem to be counted, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and layed him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
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And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone all about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
~~~~~~ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father.
~~Portions of Luke 1 & 2 & Philippians 2:3-11
"Thine be the Glory, Risen, Conquering Son. Endless is the victory; thou o'er death has won!"
Oh, come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Merry Christmas!
The Mulfingers
