Merry Christmas | Positivity Place
Positivity Place wishes you and your loved one's a merry Christmas.
Once upon a time, in the small town of Bethlehem, a remarkable event unfolded that would change the course of history. This was the very first Christmas, though it wasn't called that at the time; it was simply a night like any other until it wasn't.
In the humble surroundings of a stable, Mary, a young woman from Nazareth, prepared to give birth. She was far from home, having journeyed with her betrothed, Joseph, to comply with a census decreed by the Roman Emperor, Augustus. The town was packed, leaving no room for a couple of such modest means, which is how they came to rest in a stable among the animals.
As the night deepened, Mary gave birth to a baby boy, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, the only cradle they had. This child was Jesus, whose birth would be celebrated for centuries to come.
In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8-12 CSB
The shepherds, bewildered by this divine visitation, said to one another in Luke 2:15 CSB, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They were the first to witness this miracle, the first to spread the news of the birth that would become a cornerstone of faith for billions.
Meanwhile, in the East, wise men or Magi, scholars of the stars and ancient prophecies, observed an extraordinary new star in the sky. They interpreted it as a sign of a king's birth and set out on a long journey to pay homage, bringing with them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Guided by the star, they eventually arrived in Bethlehem, where they found the child, offering their gifts in reverence.
This first Christmas was not marked by the grandeur of later celebrations but by simplicity and humility. It was a night where the lowliest of places became holy, where the divine was cradled in human arms, and where the message of peace and goodwill began to whisper through the ages.
The story of that night would grow through tales told by firelight, through songs sung in churches, and through acts of kindness mirroring the love felt in that stable. It was a beginning, a beacon of hope, and an invitation to all humanity to find light even in the darkest of nights. And so, from that first Christmas, a tradition was born, one that would echo through time, reminding us of the power of love, faith, and the unexpected places where miracles can occur.
The birth of Jesus Christ—the Son of God, our Savior—went unnoticed by the vast majority of the world that first Christmas night, but no event in human history was more significant. May His birth—and all it means—not go unnoticed in our lives!
Billy Graham
Please consider doing all you can today to put the focus of Christmas on Jesus Christ.