The Babe of Bethlehem

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

~~~ Isaiah 9:1-6 ~~~ Psalm 96 ~~~ Titus 2:11-14 ~~~ Luke 2:1-14 ~~~

We are no longer doomed to walk in darkness.
A great light has come to dwell with us.
Let us rejoice,
his dominion is forever peaceful.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us;

upon his shoulder dominion rests.

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,

Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Come let us adore him...
What Child is this that lays before us so small and helpless?
The breath of heaven gazes into his mother's eyes.
They share amazing love...creator, mother, infant, savior.

Beloved:

The grace of God 
has appeared, saving all

and training us to reject godless 
ways and worldly desires... 

Today as you gaze upon the Nativity Scene
believe that you are seeing the realization of God's grace.

"This is the true Nativity: the feast of poverty,
of God who annihilated Himself, assuming the nature of a slave;
of God who served at the table; of God who hid Himself
from the intelligent and the wise and instead
revealed Himself to the smallest,
the simple and the poor.”
POPE FRANCIS December 22, 2014

This Babe of Bethlehem, as Saint Francis of Assisi called Jesus,
went from the wood of the crib to suspended high upon
the wood of the cross in just a few short years.

St. Francis is credited with creating the first Nativity scene
 because his little church was too small to hold all of the congregation.

Thank you Francis for this beautiful birth scene as our
annual reminder of God's love for us.
The Birth was as normal as any other birth...
The Baby was anything but normal.
This Baby, Jesus, was sent down from heaven...

Joy to the World...the Lord is born...
Let every heart prepare to receive him.

It is a Silent Night a Holy Night.

May Christmas be bright and filled with Joy.
~~~Peace~~~