Articles for tag: Shepherds

December 12, 2014

By Diane Stortz Long before digital photos and decorative paper backgrounds, Mary made the first Christmas scrapbook””in her heart. When Bethlehem”s shepherds heard the astounding news that the Messiah had been born, they left their sheep and hurried into the village to see him. They found Mary and Joseph and with them the baby, snuggly wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough””just as the angel had told them. Luke says they “told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds” story were astonished, but Mary

December 16, 2013

Christian Standard

Bible Study Theology & Bible

Lesson for December 22, 2013: Jesus Is Born (Luke 2:1-20)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Of the four Gospel writers,Â Luke is the one who gives the historicalÂ details and setting of Jesus”Â birth. With careful research andÂ guided by the Holy Spirit”s inspiration,Â he records the wonderful newsÂ of Christ”s birth and how those whoÂ first heard about it were called toÂ rejoice. No doubt Luke interviewedÂ Mary, Jesus” mother, in preparing toÂ write it (Luke 1:3; 2:19). The Baby”s Birth Luke 2:1-7 Caesar Augustus issued a decree thatÂ a census should be taken of the entireÂ Roman world. The Romans were

December 20, 2009

Christian Standard

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation

Living with Expectancy

Â by Alan Ahlgrim There”s no doubt about it, this is my favorite celebration of the year. There”s just something special about Christmas for young and old alike. Ever since I was a little kid, Christmas Eve has been a night filled with anticipation and Christmas Day a grand celebration of light and love and joy. I can”t ever remember a crummy Christmas. When I was a kid I even got along with my sisters at Christmas. Somehow they seemed nicer. To me everything has always seemed better at Christmas. It has always seemed to me that the decorations are

December 5, 2007

Christian Standard

Worship Worship & Prayer

Holly, Jolly, and Holy?

By Mark A. Taylor My church”s annual Christmas pageant is wonderful. It engages its audience as well as any Broadway play with compelling pictures of the stable, the Baby, angels in the air, shepherds peeking into the manger, and regal Magi processing through the aisles. But the first 20 minutes or so of the evening is far removed from Bethlehem. It”s a bouncing, laughing, dancing, show meant mainly to remind us that this, indeed, “is the most wonderful time of the year.” In past years, this first act has featured a rollerblading Frosty, a rapping Rudolph, or a ballerina ascending

December 24, 2006

Mark Scott

Devotionals

The Insignificant in Christmas

Mark Scott reflects on Luke’s Christmas narrative, showing how God fills ordinary places, people, and events with profound meaning. From Bethlehem’s fields to the shepherds’ surprise, Christmas announces good news for outsiders, too.

December 24, 2006

Christian Standard

Worship Worship & Prayer

O Come Let Us Adore Him

By Jackina Stark “”Tis the season to be BUSY.” The way-too-much-to-do usually begins the day after Thanksgiving. Or is the Christmas holiday stressful for only me? Just making my gift lists can wear me out, despite the fact one son-in-law never wants anything but a gift certificate. And most years rushing from store to store to purchase these gifts is a misery, with or without gale winds whipping icy snow into my face. And then, of course, those gifts I”ve toted home and hidden eventually have to be found and wrapped. I”m thrilled, of course, that my husband Tony wraps

December 25, 2005

Tom Lawson

Devotionals

Once Upon a Time in Bethlehem

In this imaginative Christmas retelling, Mary fears she has ruined God’s plan—until shepherds arrive with news of angels, glory, and a sign in Bethlehem. Regret gives way to wonder as joy breaks through the stable’s door.