Good Tidings Of Great Joy

 The Gospel According to St Luke, Chapter 2

 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus,

that all the world should be taxed.

 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,
being great with child.

 6 And so it was, that, while they were there,
 the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

  8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

  10 And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you agood tidings

of great bjoy,

which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 12 And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 Awsumb and his Nativity age 1

Awsumb telling the Christmas Story

 in his own words age 3

 

When Awsumb was small he was so cute when he would play with his Little People Nativity and retell the Christmas Story.  He always got a big kick out of the part when the angel appears to the shepherds and how they were "so afraid!"  Excitedly he would continue the story and repeat the words of the angel, "Fear Not! behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."  And then he would finish by announcing the birth of the Savior.

 

And we can find joy in these good tidings of great joy because we have been given the biggest gift of all, the Savior.  Not only the greatest example, but his life, his life so that we might be saved.  Really, what comfort this sweet and simple message gives.  And I have watched this message be part of the comfort my husband and his family feels as they buried their father, husband, grandfather.  Because they understand that there is a plan.

 

I was trying to decide if I should get out Awsumb's Playmobil Nativity that has replaced his Little People Nativity from the toddler years.  I didn't know if he would still want to open the little boxes each day and play with all the little pieces.  But while making our Christmas card for the year I was thinking about him and how from such a little age he too could find excitement in the good tidings of great joy and see that the delights of the season were all about knowing that he has a Father who is in Heaven and who loves him enough to send his son.

 

May you all feel the comfort and peace that the news of these good tidings of great joy bring!

Merry Christmas!