“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6
The countdown to Christmas is on, and we invite you to explore the resources below to celebrate our Savior’s birth!
Articles
“God’s Christmas Gift … Jesus for Every Day” (AnGeL Ministries)
“How to be Present During the Holidays” (Cru)
“10 Ways to Talk about Christ at Christmas” (Family Life)
“When December is Difficult” (Max Lucado)
Christmas Scripture
The Promise of John the Baptist’s birth
“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old...” Luke 1:5-25
Gabriel appears to Mary
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you…” Luke 1:26-38
Joseph’s angelic dream
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly…” Matthew 1:18-25
Mary visits Elizabeth
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit…” Luke 1:39-56
The Birth of Christ, Visit of the Shepherds
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register…” Luke 2:1-20
Presentation in the Temple; Blessings of Simeon and Anna
“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived…” Luke 2:21-38
Visit of the Wise Men
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, 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 when it rose and have come to worship him…” Matthew 2:1-12