the weblog of Alan Knox

Scripture… As We Live It #33

Posted by on Dec 21, 2008 in as we live it, scripture | 7 comments

Here is the 33th edition (the Christmas edition) of “Scripture… As We Live It“:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Mary rode a donkey while Joseph walked beside her. They walked through the town looking for a place to stay, but they couldn’t find a place. The inn keeper was especially rude to them. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Light from the star shone on the baby, and he slept peacefully without crying… at all… ever. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. The light was still shining on the baby, and the baby was not crying. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all (well, only Mary, Joseph, and the baby were there) who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:1-20 re-mix)

7 Comments

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  1. 12-21-2008

    A non-crying baby has a powerful impact in your life!

    The non-presence of tears reflecting the presence of God.

    Cool.

  2. 12-21-2008

    Maybe the shepherds were the ones who told the three (count them) wisemen where to find the holy trio (Mary, Joseph, Baby with halos).

  3. 12-22-2008

    Andy,

    Yes, but a non-crying baby wouldn’t really be a baby would it?

    Kat,

    Maybe so… and I think we even know their names now, right?

    -Alan

  4. 12-24-2008

    Where’s the part about this all happening during a blizzard?

  5. 12-24-2008

    Alan-
    I’ve been thinking about this post, and I do think that all those public nativity scenes (which haven’t been stored away due to political fear) should not have endless Christmas carols playing in the background. There should be a loop tape of a baby crying–a colicky baby. Joseph should be rocking him, and Mary should be lying in the hay trying to get some sleep 🙂

  6. 12-24-2008

    Renata,

    You’re right! Of course it snowed that day on December 25, 1.

    Kat,

    It puts a whole new spin on Silent Night, doesn’t it?

    -Alan

  7. 12-24-2008

    And “The First Noel” should be “The First Howl”! Time to shut this computer down and go dust my nativity scene. Joseph will be holding the baby.