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CHRIST-mas is More Than a Christmas Party

Close your eyes. Picture snowflakes falling, fire crackling in the fireplace and the taste of warm hot chocolate on a cold winter night? Good. Having those images in mind, is a great way to listen to the Greatest Story Ever Told from the books of Matthew and Luke.

Here's what Luke had to say in Luke 2:1-20: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. 

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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, Praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

In the verses you just heard, Luke gave, true details about the birth of Jesus. However, Matthew's perspective was also true, but he focused on another part of the story in Matthew 1:18-25: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him them name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel” - which means, “God with us.”

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus. 

Think about it:

1.  After listening to Luke's and Matthew's perspectives on the Christmas Story, which author gave more details about what happened before Jesus was actually born?

2. Why do you think we focus more on gifts, decorations, holiday food and the Christmas parties we hope to attend rather than on the Greatest Story Ever Told?

Next: Click the arrow to hear the two accounts of Christmas again...Listen to this life changing story in the Bible translation of your choice.