"Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this child" (Luke 2:17 NKJV)The shepherds were given a story, and they understood it was meant to be shared. After encountering Christ, they became the first evangelists. God has given us a story as well - the gift of our testimony.I remember pastoring a woman in North Carolina who went through multiple h...

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19 NKJV)While the shepherds immediately shared what they had experienced, Mary had a different response. She treasured all these events in her heart, quietly pondering their meaning. Luke the historian asked Mary about these details, and several times it says Mary "treasured these things in her heart."That word "pondered" mean...

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:2 NKJV)The wise men traveled great distances and faced significant challenges to find Jesus, and when they found Him, they worshiped. It took them about three months to get from Persia to Bethlehem. This required great financial sacrifice, but they were searching.These wi...

"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people'" (Luke 2:10 NKJV)The first words from heaven when Jesus was born were "Do not be afraid." The shepherds were used to the fields, the cold, everything about their line of work, but they were not used to the glory of God bursting through the darkness.Jesus came to remove ou...

"Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife" (Matthew 1:24 NKJV)Joseph understood that Mary was pregnant, and he was confused. This was a surprise calling for the confused Joseph. He was so just and righteous and he knew he wasn't the father, but he loved Mary and didn't want to mistreat her. So he decided to put her away quietly.But ...