christmas story continued

Mary looked tired as she spoke,

" Joseph the baby is coming, we need to find a place where I can give birth."

He tried to encourage Mary

" God has a special place for us " ,

but Joseph didn' t know where.

So they stopped and prayed together asking God to provide a place and that He would have His Perfect Way.

Then Joseph remembered the stable -- a place where he used to play when he was a boy -- he used to love to go there to see all the different animals.

" Mary I will take you to the stable it will be dry and warm there. It' s not too much farther" , he said.

Joseph prepared a place for Mary to have the baby. She was so happy to be out of the cold and in a sheltered area. It was not long afterward that Mary and Joseph were rejoicing at the birth of Jesus. They were so happy that everything worked out and that Jesus was a healthy baby. They wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.

Soon they both felt into a restful sleep.

Meanwhile...

A few hours later, Mary and Joseph were interrupted from their sleep.

Mary said to Joseph, "Look there are shepherds outside the stable."

Mary was worried that they might have to move and find another place to rest. "Joseph, please go see what they want."

Joseph reluctantly got up from his place of rest and went to see. Shortly after he came back to Mary's side and told her that they wanted to see the baby.

"Why?", Mary asked. Joseph replied, "I will let them tell you. Is it OK?"

"Yes, it is ok, Joseph, let them come in", Mary answered.

Look at the child as the angel told us,” the shepherds said, “Let us explain, a bright light appeared out of the heavens.

We were greatly worried and afraid but an angel appeared and told us, “Fear not: I bring you good tidings of Great Joy for all people.

Today! In the city of David a Savior is born, Christ the Lord.

You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”

Then there was a heavenly multitude in the sky praising God and singing “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Oh what a blessed child this is! What a Beautiful night! We will not stay long but we had to come and see the miracle that was told us. You understand?”

“Yes,” Mary replied, “This is a wondrous miracle!” Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

“We will be off now, we must get back to our flock. Thank You!”

As they went, they rejoiced and told everybody they met about the miracle that took place that night.

A couple days later when the streets of Bethlehem soon returned to normal Mary and Joseph found a nice place to stay. They were so happy for all that the Lord had done!

This story reminds me that christmas is not only about getting gifts but getting the gift of jesus that God gave us. and thats why christmas is a time of giving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!