While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
During the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
MY DEAR READERS,
I wish for you the gifts of good health, happiness, peace, and wonderful times with family and friends. May joy and contentment ease into your days, even if you are missing loved ones or dealing with challenges. Life is a gift. And you are, too.
Merry Christmas!
Audrey
Text comes from the gospels of Matthew and Luke, chapters 2.
Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Every time I hear the words of Luke chapter 2, I can’t help but remember the tune & sing the words of Luke 2 that I learned as a child in our parochial school. Almost every year we sang the Christmas story! Sometimes the mixed choir would join in when the choir of angels sang! They haven’t done it in quite a few years and I miss it!! We will be going to the Children’s program this afternoon and it’s always fun to hear the kids tell the story! It is my turn to host my family Christmas Day in the evening and we’re busy getting ready! I will pass my Dads casket flag to my oldest brother as his reminder that it’s his turn next year. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas and in 2018!!
Dear Brenda, thanks for sharing your sweet Christmas memories from Immanuel, the church of our forefathers. I am so thankful for that gift of faith they passed along to us.
Your tradition of passing along your dad’s casket flag is an honorable one, such a wonderful way to remember him at Christmas.
I hope you had a blessed Christmas with your family. I did with two of my three kids home.
Merry Christmas Audrey!
Thank you, Jackie, albeit a bit late. I hope you had a joyful Christmas with your family.
Life is a gift indeed. There is mystery and joy in this season – I have always felt it. Even in challenging times there is goodness and wonder. Blessings to you and your family, Audrey. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Lori. I hope you and Forest had a blessed and joyous Christmas.
Joy and blessings to you and your family.
Thank you, Bernadette, and the same to you and those you love.
Merry Christmas to you and yours too. 🙂
Thank you, Greg. Stay warm down there in Almost Iowa.
Audrey into each day of your life may the spirit of Christmas be born again and shine forever with the brightness of the heavens. Merry Christmas
What a lovely wish, Jake. Thank you.
Wonderful! Thank you! A blessed Christmas to you and your family as well!
Thank you, Kianda. I hope yours was a wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas thank you for sharing this beautiful story with such a beautiful nativity scene!
You are welcome. I hope you had a lovely Christmas.
This Nativity scene has gone up in my city every holiday season for decades. I don’t know the history since I didn’t grow up here. But I’ve lived here for 35 years…
Christmas blessings to you and your family and a joyful new year 2018
The same to you and Charley and your family.