The kids came to Dave’s campfire just before Christmas. They could not stay long because they all had family gatherings to go to, but Dave said that he wanted to share the greatest story in history with them. This is a true story and changed the world for eternity.
Dave opened his Bible to Luke chapter 1 and began to read:
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 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.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing Him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 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.
Dave told the kids that the real reason for the Christmas season is to remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! On that night so long ago, common shepherds were in the field doing their job. They probably had a campfire just like we do, but then things got exciting! The angel came and overwhelmed them with the glory of God and told them about the birth of Jesus! The shepherds believed and went to find Jesus immediately!
Everyone who hears the story of Jesus must decide just like the shepherds did. Each person must decide that they believe in Jesus, and then they need to act. The shepherds went to find Jesus in a manger, but each of us must go to Jesus in prayer and ask for forgiveness and invite Him to come into our life and take control. Please do this today if you have not done this already!