Merry Christmas

Luke 2:1-20

The Birth of Jesus

1. 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.) 3. And everyone went to his own town to register.

4. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7. 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.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15. 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."

16. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18. and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Week 16 and Week 17

Last weekend we saw some great games in the NFL. The Sunday night game between the Giants and Panthers went to overtime with the Giants winning. The Monday Night game between the Packers and the Bears went to overtime with the Bears winning.

Going into week 17, there’s still a chance for the Patriots, the Jets and the Chargers in the AFC and in the NFC, the Cowboys, Eagles and the Bears are not eliminated yet.

The final week of the NFL regular season has some good games. The one I am looking forward to watching is the Broncos/Chargers game. Denver travels to San Diego where the winner will win the AFC West. This game is on Sunday night football. I pick San Diego to win this one.

Dallas heads to Philly for a late afternoon game. New England heads to Buffalo in an early game, and then they can sit back and watch the Jets play Miami in a late game.

I think Philly will beat Dallas. New England will beat Buffalo, and the Jets will beat Miami.

To figure out the different playoff scenarios, click HERE.

The NFL executives must be pretty happy with what they have to offer the fans during the last weekend. It will be fun to watch.