Ah, the opening lines of the Christmas story!  I can still hear those words spoken in the sing-song voice of a little child’s recitation at the Sunday School pageant on Christmas Eve. Each year the story opened with the same words:  “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree . . .”  It was like the familiar “Once upon a time” of my favorite fairy tales.  With that opening, we knew we were about to hear the marvelous story of the birth of Jesus.  We were never disappointed.  The story always continued, the Babe was born, the shepherds and the wisemen arrived.  All was well!  In those days, it was the 1940’s.  After the pageant we received little boxes of hard Christmas candy and an orange.  Then off we went into the snowy evening, ready to see what Santa might bring.

Fast forward about twenty years.  It’s Christmas Eve again, but now I sit in the pew with my husband by my side and in my arms I hold our first born son.  Once again the children tell the story, “And it came to pass…” But this night my heart is full of new wonder.  The miracle of birth is now a reality for me.  My wonder at Mary’s giving birth in that stable takes on a new sense of empathy, of understanding, of awe!   I gaze at my own first born and my heart overflows with love for him and for that baby in the manger.  Yes in that moment, all is well.

This year once again we’ll hear the familiar words, “And it came to pass…”  To me, that’s the great announcement – listen up – a wonderful story is coming – you don’t want to miss a word!  In those moments we’ll lose ourselves in the love of that first Christmas.  Once again you’ll experience the very love of God. He loves you. He loves you unconditionally.

Read Luke 2:1-7    (And just to help  us remember the words we learned as children:  “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.”  Luke 2:1  King James Version.)

 Judy

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A1-7&version=NRSV