A savior is born. God’s gift of love comes to us again this Christmas so we might find healing and wholeness. Given with compassion and empathy.

In addition to Romans, we also heard a paraphrased version of Jesus’ birth story:

Mary and Joseph’s first child was born in Bethlehem on a late December evening and they named him Jesus, as God’s messenger had instructed. Many unusual stories are told of his birth and childhood.

On the very night of Jesus’ birth, the new family was visited by a group of shepherds who had been watching over their flocks in a nearby field when they were overcome with a vision of a great choir of angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest realms and on earth peace, goodwill among humanity.”

The angels told the shepherds of a baby born that night who was God’s anointed one, sent to bring joy, healing, and wholeness to the people. Then the angels told them where they could find the baby. The shepherds were so excited they forgot about their flocks and rushed into the village to see this miraculous child.

Now, Mary and Joseph weren’t entirely sure what to think of the shepherds’ story, but they treasured the words in their hearts.