{from Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1-2}

Now, the birth of Jesus goes like this:

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin named Mary.

Gabriel: Hi Mary. You are blessed. You’re going to have a baby.

Mary: But I’m NOT MARRIED YET!

Gabriel: Don’t be afraid. You will have a son and call him Jesus and He will be the Son of God.

Mary was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter.

 Mary: Joseph, I need to tell you something. I’m going to have a baby.

 

Joseph: WHAT?! We’re not married yet!!!

 God sends the angel Gabriel to Joseph in a dream.

Gabriel: Don’t be afraid to marry Mary {<–that would be a cool song title: Marry Mary}. The child she is going to have is the Son of God.

When the time came for Mary to have baby Jesus, she and Joseph were on their way to Bethlehem because there was a census in all the world {even in those days}.

They went from inn to inn but there was NO ROOM.

No one even answered this door.

NO ROOM!

But Joseph and Mary didn’t seem stressed at all. They must’ve really trusted God.

NO ROOM!

But WAIT!

This inn keeper has a stable they can use.

Just imagine more animals besides this rocking horse, pretend donkey stick horse, and little lamb.

It’s time!

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a basket, I mean a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn, remember?

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their tiny little flock of one baby sheep by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Can you see the glory shining? One shepherd boy fled to the left. The other is speechless.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a basket, I mean a manger. Follow the star or the long arm and pointing finger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God {You can’t see them, but they’re there.}, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 

****About two years later . . .

Three Kings who were called wise men heard about Jesus’ birth. They saw His star and came from the east with gifts.

And when they were come into the house {that looks like the stable baby Jesus was born in but it totally shouldn’t be so pretend it’s not and next time you put your nativity scenes out, put the wise men afar off, traveling from the east}, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

They might’ve taken the gold back from Jesus because He was only two; and then they might’ve given it to Jesus’ mother, Mary.

But they worshiped Him.

He is the reason we celebrate. He is the reason we give gifts. He is the gift.

 ****DISCLAIMER: Take Dramamine before watching video. 

[vimeo 55968627]