This week, I thought it would be proper for us to have
our ascent passage be taken from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 1
through 20.
Luke 2:1-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a
census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census
that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to
their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the
house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged
to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time
came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She
wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest
room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields
nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared
to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will
cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has
been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You
will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared
with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth
peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that
has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the
baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word
concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were
amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these
things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as
they had been told.
And, for nostalgia’s sake, let’s hear it one more time
from Linus VanPelt:
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