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    “Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey." —Zechariah 9:9 (NASB1995) When Jesus was born, it’s likely that there were animals nearby, even in the very same... read more →

    “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." —Luke 2:7 How might cultural insights impact our experience of the Christmas story? Middle East scholar Kenneth... read more →

    “While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child." —Luke 2:6 We tend to imagine Mary and Joseph all alone, huddled in a stable welcoming Jesus into the world. Yet, as with much of the tradition, the reality might have been quite different. For... read more →

    “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.’" —Luke 2:1 Mary and Joseph were quite likely in good company on the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Many of these unknown-to-us fellow travelers were probably also on their way to... read more →

    “An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.’" —Matthew 1:1 If someone were to ask you to tell the story of Jesus, where would you start? The New Testament begins, “the story of the origin of Jesus Christ” (Matthew... read more →

    “Praise the Lord from the earth...wild animals and all livestock...kings of the earth and all people...Let them praise the name of the Lord.’" —Psalm 148: 7-13 (NLT) In 1970, Robertson Davies popularized the term “Fifth Business” in his novel by the same name. He describes Fifth Business in... read more →

    “...About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.’" —Matthew 2:1-2 (NLT) The “wise men from eastern lands” referred to in Matthew's Gospel... read more →

    “...But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often." —Luke 2:19 (NLT) Mary had so much to ponder on that holy night in Bethlehem: angelic visitations, an unexpected pregnancy and a new husband, not to mention the joy, pain and exhaustion of the... read more →

    “...there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night...the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…’" —Luke 2:8,10 In the Bible, shepherding was a common occupation. At... read more →

    “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." —Luke 2:11-12 (NIV) The angel of the Lord gives... read more →