Christmas is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior, the Light of the World.  Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared the excitement of knowing about this great event, and the prophets had foretold of His coming hundreds of years prior to Jesus’ birth.  Jesus was born so one day the ultimate price of our sins could be paid. Romans 3:23-24 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  He died on the cross for all our sins, a gift of grace from God.  Showing His great love for us, God sent his only begotten Son into the world as a Christmas present to everyone.  What a joyous day of celebration.

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."  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."  (Luke 2:4-19)