We often think of the Christmas Story as beginning with Gabriel’s announcement to Mary; and ending with the wise men arriving to worship the Baby Jesus.  But the Christmas Story has no beginning and it is still going on today…                    John 1:1-14 (HCSB) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men…    14 The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.     Luke 2:4-20 (HCSB) 4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.      7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the inn. 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”    16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 7 After seeing [them], they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.    John 3:16-18 (HCSB) 16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.      Luke 23:33-34 (HCSB) 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.    Luke 23:44-46 (HCSB) 44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.” Saying this, He breathed His last.     Luke 24:1-8 (HCSB) 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered His words.    Matthew 28:16-20 (HCSB) 16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”    John 17:3 (HCSB) 3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ. And that’s the WHOLE Story.  Why do we fight over whether the manger scene is placed in front of the court house?  Why do we want to take the word “God” off of our money and out of our flag?  Why did we stop praying in schools?  Why do we take God out of school and public for fear of not separating church and state – and then we blame God when we have massive murder and horrendous happenings like 9/11?  I have heard people say, “Where was God?”  I want to be smart alec and say, “You told Him to leave.”  But I know, and I hope and pray that you know, that God was always there.  He is always there.  He is right there with you right now as you read this website. Christmas is a supernatural celebration of a supernatural event.  Why aren’t we shouting and celebrating?  If fans favorite team wins the playoffs, you can bet that many of our church members will be shouting and crying.  Will they be shouting and crying on Dec 25?  A far greater even happened on Christmas morning.  But that wasn’t the end of the story.  The manger was the provision for the cross, and the cross was the provision for the resurrection.  And All of the Story was the provision for you: John 17:3 (HCSB) 3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ. Do you know Him?  Have you accepted His wonderful gift of eternal life?  If you have, then start celebrating!  If you have not, read “Your Only Hope” and begin celebrating eternal life today! Ephesians 3:20-21 (HCSB) 20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think—according to the power that works in you— 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. **Glory to Your Name, Lord Jesus!  Glory to Your Name!  Thank You for coming from Heaven, being born in a manger, living a humble life, dying a cruel death on a cross, and rising again on the third day so that I might have eternal life.  I love You, Lord, and I thank You and praise You for ever and ever.  Amen.