06a Christmas Eve, A READING of the Christmas Story

06a Christmas Eve, A READING of the Christmas Story [Let the Word of God speak]

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

The Christmas story was prophesied long before it ever happened, and it should be retold until the end of time. It begins with a promise in Genesis and moves steadfastly towards its fulfilment.

The Christmas story is full of fear, doubt, uncertainty [did God really say?], love, compassion, excitement, joy, anticipation [the baby kicks].

Mary and Joseph have embarked, together, on a journey. They are headed into the unknown with only the word of God to press them forward – Just like US!

The Christmas story is just like your life! That’s how real it is. That’s how real what GOD did is. GOD became flesh.

They talked about it you know.

Perhaps Mary asked Joseph to tell her again what the scriptures say about the promise of the Messiah.

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Then, One saying to the other, tell me again what the angel said to you.

The appearing of an angel To Mary, Luke 1:26-39

The appearing of an angel To Joseph, Matthew 1:18-25

I imagine Mary told Joseph about her visit with Elizabeth

The words of Elizabeth, Luke 1:42-45

I imagine Mary would have recalled her own song for Joseph

Mary’s song, Luke 1:46-55

The Birth of Christ. You all know the story but, before I read it let me read a different version first.

Revelation 12:1-6 [Mary, Jesus, Herod]

Luke 2:1-7

The appearing of an angel to the shepherds, Luke 2:8-20

The Circumcising of the child, Luke 2:21-40 - Thus Fulfilling of the Law – “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17.

How do we end the message? Ephesians 3

Refuse! To have anything less than a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year because GOD loved you enough to become flesh that HE might die that we might live.