Joy of Advent

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1st Day of Christmas: Behold the Babe!

Joy of Advent

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 cloths, 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 cloths, 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.

—From Luke 2:1–20 (NKJV)



Reflection

Today is Christmas! More specifically, today is the first day of the season of Christmas, a church season that lasts twelve days. The Christmas season was once celebrated with nearly two weeks of feasting, parties, travel, joy and celebration. In like form, we will focus the next twelve days on our celebration of Jesus’s birth! Continue with us today and throughout all the Twelve Days of Christmas.


Celebrate Together

Gather the family for today’s Celebration in our book, The Joy of Advent. If using an Advent wreath, remove or leave unlit all but the center Christ candle. Delve into the significance of names, explore the Jesse Tree symbol for Christ’s nativity, discover the history behind today’s carol, and enjoy a family conversation (or private journaling) about Emmanuel, God with us.

In our family, we used to begin Christmas morning with a reading of the Nativity story while children anxiously eyed the sparkling lights of the Christmas tree, their fingers twitching with eagerness to tear into gifts piled beneath. Now we often save that reading for later in the day when attention spans have lengthened. Instead we begin something a bit more attention-keeping, a Nativity video.

For young toddlers and elementary aged children, this may be the cutest nativity story of all time, and is short enough to keep attention throughout. It’s just as enjoyable for adults.


Inspiration

Music

I Saw Three Ships on Christmas Day! [Play Video]

For a meditative start to Christmas, the 5th Century chant, Of the Father’s Love Begotten, captures the serenity of Christmas morning. [Play Video]

Visit our Joy of Advent YouTube playlist for featured videos, our Ultimate Christmas playlist for all our favorite carols, or our sing-along carols to enjoy karaoke style.


Prayer

Almighty God, Who hast given us Thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Him and, as at this time, to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made Thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by Thy Holy Spirit; through the Same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

(From Household Prayer, From Ancient and Authorized Sources, P. G. Medd, 1864)

Resources

We Wish You a Merry Christmas — with JOY!

[Play Video]

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