Luke 2:1-20 – from “The Message”
The Birth of Jesus
1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
An Event for Everyone
8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!
Related Articles
- Bethlehem Town: Prince of Peace Hosts Living Nativity (kitsapsun.com)
- What Child Is This ??? (markbyrd.wordpress.com)
- The Coming Of Bethlehem In Your Heart (samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)
BUDDY BREATHING 
Thank you for this … truly wondrous and beautiful. Like ‘and Mary kept all this to herself, holding it dear …..’
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Glad these words impacted your heart, Judith.
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What bible are you getting this from? My King James version of Luke 2:14 says “Glory to God on the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men!”
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I’ve posted this passage from ‘The Message’, which is a paraphrase of the scripture, not a direct translation. It is very beautiful, yes! Check out biblegateway.com for all the various translations. Blessings!
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It may be beautiful, but with respect, I don’t believe it is accurate. It’s nice to read something in colloquial language that makes the bible more accessible, but I have to say it flies in the face of what I have learned and believe, which is that God’s love and good wishes were and are unconditional. Peace and good will to ALL men, not just those “who please him”.
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May GOD Bless!!! Love ,Mark
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God Bless you too Mark. Thank you for stopping by.
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I hear your concern Suzan. While I am not a Bible Scholar, I believe we need to go back to the original language to be clear on the precise meanings of what was written. Bible Scholars have different interpretations of some scripture, however, when it comes to the larger concepts of the Bible, I believe there is agreement.
This is one of those concepts. God loves you and he loves me. God loves all of us… every human being on this planet! Without a doubt, God is not pleased with all of us all of the time, but He loves in spite of that. This paraphrase would lead you to believe otherwise, and as such is… dare I say… wrong!
Anyone want to weigh in on this discussion?
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winding my way back to here long after the fact, but thanks for that explanation. That does make it clearer and I agree with you, God does love us unconditionally, but may not always love what we do. :)
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