Why Christmas?

Luke 2:15-20 (New Living Translation)
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
With great awe and complete reverence the shepherds looked upon the baby Jesus. This Christmas as in all the Christmas’ past that is what we should do as well. This is the time that we reflect on just how much the world changed on that day over two thousand years ago. God had a law, and the law said the wages of sin are death. All had sinned, all since have sinned. There was no way out of a sentence of death. However God is an awesome God of love. He stepped in and did the only thing that could save us, He sent His only Son, who was without sin, to die once for all of us. Jesus who did not have to serve that sentence, did for us.
On this Christmas we celebrate the beginning of the story that led to our salvation. When you accept the incredible gift of salvation from Jesus you cannot contain the joy within yourself. Just like the shepherds you have to tell the good news.
20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.
Let the joy that is Christmas encompass you, and share your joy with all the world.

the pilgrim

*Photo note: Nikon D3, 70-300 AFS VR lens. Glacier National Park, late fall.