THE CHRISTMAS STORY (ABRIDGED AND PARAPHRASED):

Do you believe in miracles? If not, then how do you explain the birth of a child to a virgin mother. Yes, you've guessed it, this is the story of our Saviour's birthday.

In the town of Nazareth, in the Middle Eastern country of Israel, there lived a young woman named Mary. Mary was a hard working woman who had been faithful to the Lord all her life. Little did she know how great a reward she would receive.

One day, an Angel of the Lord appeared before Mary causing her great fright. "Don't be frightened," said the Angel, "for I bring you great news. You are going to have a baby boy. You are to call him Jesus, and he will be the Saviour that the Lord has promised to the world. He is to be the son of the Lord God Almighty. It is through Him that salvation can be achieved."

After the angel dissapeared, Mary became extremely worried. She was engaged to be married to Joseph, a local carpenter. But how was she going to explain the angel's message to him, and make him to understand.

Mary had reason to be worried. After she explained the message to Joseph, he became quite angry with her. "How could you cheat on me," he exclaimed! Joseph secretly made plans to leave Mary and leave her to have the baby on her own. But that night, the same Angel that appeared to Mary, told Joseph in a dream that he had no reason to fear, because everything Mary told him was true. Mary was to be the mother of the Saviour, and Joseph was told to stay with Mary and support her in every way he can. So Joseph did as the angel instructed him.

Soon it came time for Mary to have her baby. However, as luck would have it, things took a turn for the worse. At that time, Israel was part of the Roman Empire, and Caesar Augustus, the emperor of Rome issued a decree that all men must go back to the city of their birth, to be registered and pay their taxes. Mary insisted on going to Bethlehem, the city of Joseph's birth, with her fiance. Unfortunately, there was no room in any of the Inns in Bethlehem on account of the tax decree. The only place where Mary and Joseph were able to stay was the hotel stable. And it was here, in a manger filled with straw, that Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the Lord was born.

Jesus was the best birthday present the world ever received!

The Name God Chose: Salvation Army General John Larsson's Chrismtas Message 2004

The Gift Beyond Words: Salvation Army General Larsson's Christmas Message 2005

Words and Songs to Greet the Saviour: Salvation Army General Shaw Clifton's Christmas Message 2006

Christmas Memories: Salvation Army General Shaw Clifton's Christmas Message 2007

Being Wise at Christmas: Salvation Army General Clifton's Christmas Message 2008

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