THE REAL CHRISTMAS STORY...

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 that will cause great joy for all the people.  

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; 

he is the Messiah, 

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 heaven, 

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."   

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,  

"Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, 

which the Lord has told us about."

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 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.  

Luke 2: 8-20

There's no telling how many times I have read Luke 2: 1-20.  

And it never fails that new words and phrases pop off the page as if I've never seen them before in my life.

I love that!!!

He is always teaching and revealing new lessons 

with each baby step that I take.

While driving, I always notice the clouds and get excited 

when the sun rays are piercing through the darkness.

Last week, the camera happened to be right next to me.  

So, I pulled over and took 3-4 shots...

thinking their is no way tHis beauty can be captured on camera....

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, 

praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, 

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2

I can only imagine what it was like in that field that night and sharing the same vision with others of His Heavenly Host thousands of years ago....

But it is his transcendence through time that touches my heart and sends goose bumps down my arms to know that a small town girl can pull over on the side of the road and 

possibly get a glimpse of the

face of God

shining down on His peeps

settling upon those seeking Peace and Favor.

But Mary treasured up all these things 

and pondered them in her heart.  

Luke 2

I am so grateful that He left us His word and 

the gift of His Son to ponder in our hearts!!!

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen...

Luke 2

May all who see His work

and hear Him speak....

testify

glorify

and praise Him

for all that He has done for us!!!

Post Note:  I would like to spotlight my sweet neighbor's daughter,

 Amelia, 

who took the first two photographs of the angel and baby Jesus.  

She has a real gift. 

I love the way she sees through the camera!!!