STRAIGHT TO BETHLEHEM

#771 December 17, 1989 A.M.
(Transcribed from Actual Tape)
STRAIGHT TO BETHLEHEM
Luke 2:1-20
DR. H EDWIN YOUNG

Hope you have your Bibles open to Luke's Gospel, Chapter number 2.
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree
from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this
taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all
went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went
up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the
house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were
there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And
she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for
them in the inn."

Let's pray together.
"Our Heavenly Father, Christmas is a sacred and holy season. Time
for family and friends; for food; for fun; for fellowship, but,
Father, also, we know that in this hour of worship that you do
strange things in the hearts and lives of some who have been a
Christian for a long time and others who are struggling with their
faith. Lord, we pray that this season of tenderness and sensitivity

-2-
may be used by Thy Holy Spirit even in this service today to deal
with us tn a way that man cannot expl1ai-n. Lord, You speak, and
let me get of the way so that Thy Word and Thy Truth might be heard,
received, understood and Lord, may we put it into practice in our
daily living is our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
To me, the most surprising aspect of the Christmas Story is the utter
simplicity of it. If I had been asked to write this story, I guess
because of my vocation, I would have told the truth, but perhaps I would
have blown it up where you could have seen it a little better. You r ...

---

There are 23892 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.