Luke's gospel, chapter 2, verses 1 to 20.
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be registered.
This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and lineage of David,
to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes,
and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them,
‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign to you:
You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,
that the shepherds said to one another,
‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass,
which the Lord has made known to us.’
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Now when they had seen Him,
they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them."
So, we have good reason to celebrate Christmas.
for surely there has been no greater person to walk this earth than the Son of God.
Jesus the Christ, who volunteered to come down from heaven,
leaving behind all His divine abilities, and being born here as a man
with all our inherited weaknesses and tendencies.
And over the course of 33 years He overcame all sin and did the will of God,
even being willing to die for our transgressions.
So, when He died on the cross, praying that people should be forgiven,
that list of accusations which Satan had against us was nailed to His cross,
and God could write across it, “Paid in full.”
So, we have good reason to celebrate Christmas, and Easter, and Pentecost.
The beginning and the end of Jesus’ earthly life,
and the beginning of a new life for all those who want to follow Him and be like Him.