Merry Christmas! The Story Of The Greatest Gift Of All

December 25, 2015

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Today’s lead story on NorthEscambia.com is a story that happened over 2,000 years ago today — the birth of a boy child.

It is story that was first delivered by an angelic choir. It was the news that  changed the world…a Savior had been born in a little town called Bethlehem. It was a humble scene. A little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

It was the world’s first ever Christmas gift on that very first Christmas morning, the gift of a Savior with the promise of eternal life.

It’s good news for all of us on this Christmas. Good news that Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus, was born. It’s story that was reported by Luke in the New Testament in the Bible, the widest circulated publication in history. It’s reprinted below for you to read, and for you to share the Good News with someone you care about this Christmas.

From our NorthEscambia.com family to you and yours, Merry Christmas!

  1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
  2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
  3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
  4. 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:)
  5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
  6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
  7. 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.
  8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
  10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
  11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
  12. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
  13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
  14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
  15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
  16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
  17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
  18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
  19. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
  20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Comments

24 Responses to “Merry Christmas! The Story Of The Greatest Gift Of All”

  1. Betty on December 25th, 2015 10:40 pm

    Thank you so much….it is always beautiful to read…a story we never tire of…the birth of our Lord Jesus…thank you William for your hard work and dedication in keeping NorthEscambia here for us….may God bless you and your house always…

  2. Gary on December 25th, 2015 8:43 pm

    Thank you n.e..com For the real story, i thank God for the one and only true Saviour. Jesue Christ.
    God bless and Merry Christmas.

  3. Mary Hughen on December 25th, 2015 8:20 pm

    Thank the Lord for north escambia.com printing this scripture from KJV on Christmas Day. Many websites are totally commercialized during this season with no comment about the true meaning of Christmas – the miracle of the virgin birth. Jesus Christ who created the earth and everything in it humbled Himself and came as a baby, suffered ridicule, and was nailed to a cruel cross. He shed His precious blood for me – and for everyone who will acknowledge that he is a sinner in need of a Saviour. I really do appreciate you folks.

  4. Nancy on December 25th, 2015 6:07 pm

    Thank you for publishing this article!

  5. chris in Molino on December 25th, 2015 2:44 pm

    Merry Christmas. I thank the Living God for sending his Son Jesus Christ to save my family and I. I thank him for all the gifts and blessings he provides daily. I thank him for just being able to breathe, see, hear, touch, and to be loved. I thank him also for letting you write such a beautiful story in a time when most news is negative. Very very beautiful. Thank you northescambia and thank you Father. God Bless all who believe.

  6. Peggy Cooney on December 25th, 2015 1:04 pm

    Thank you for this Lead Story—The real reason we celebrate Christmas

  7. Shari Cooper on December 25th, 2015 12:10 pm

    Merry Christmas to all! Jesus is certainly the reason for the season! My husband recently had major surgery and was able to be home for Christmas, which is what we all wanted! Prayer does work! It’s God’s way of letting us know what we need, then providing it for us!

  8. Jimmy on December 25th, 2015 10:44 am

    Merry Christmas! Wise men still seek Him!

  9. Leslie on December 25th, 2015 8:51 am

    The best lead story. Thank you for posting.
    Merry Christmas and a great New Year to northescambia.

  10. Jackie Johnson on December 25th, 2015 8:12 am

    Merry Christmas to William, staff and families at North Escambia. Thank you for printing the most wonderful Christmas story of all. If we as the world today would let this story be priority in our lives; what a wonderful world this would be. Thank you for all you do keeping everyone informed of current events.

  11. Jennifer on December 25th, 2015 7:59 am

    PRAISE GOD!!! Thank you northescambia for writing this article. People get so worked up on christmas day (even myself) that they forget what christmas is really about.

  12. Kristi Benner on December 25th, 2015 7:58 am

    Thank you for the reminder of the true reason for this day! Truely this is a timeless story!

  13. Richard on December 25th, 2015 7:11 am

    AMEN!! Merry Christmas to all!!

  14. Jan on December 25th, 2015 6:26 am

    THANK YOU!

  15. Well on December 25th, 2015 6:02 am

    Merry Christmas Everyone !!!!

  16. Willene & Preston Bryan on December 25th, 2015 6:00 am

    Merry Christmas to you William & your family.
    Merry Christmas to NorthEscambia.com & family

  17. WHISPERJET on December 25th, 2015 5:49 am

    THANK YOU FOR THIS STORY…IT IS THE BIG STORY OF OUR TIME…AND THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING GOD S WORD …NOT MANY NEWS FOLKS ARE BOLD ENOUGH TO DO THAT…NOT CNN OR ABC.OR MSNBC..JESUS CHRIST. IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR OUR WORLD..CRIME AND TERROR LEAD THE HEADLINES EVERY DAY…BUT THE GRACE AND LOVE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS THE ONLY HOPE THE WORLD HAS…THANKS FOR YOUR WORK …BRINGING THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN PARADISE THE REAL NEWS…GOD BLESS YOU…

  18. Gary on December 25th, 2015 5:49 am

    The best lead story of all time. Thanks for sharing.

  19. Honest John on December 25th, 2015 5:48 am

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to NorthEscambia.com. Thank you for sharing the greatest story ever.You are most right because it is the lead story today and really everyday. Thank you for the good job that you do and may God Bless.

  20. Beth on December 25th, 2015 5:35 am

    Amen! And thank you, may all have a Blessed Day!

  21. Grandma on December 25th, 2015 4:28 am

    I was told this story from the Bible as a child even though I was not allowed to attend church. In college, I was boss and I went to church. I became a sprinkled sinner. Nothing changed but my deeper walk into sin. I reached the point of desperation and fell to my knees before the God I knew existed. I quit running away and turned to Him for forgiveness and help. I agreed with Him my sin was sin and that I didn’t want to walk that path any more. Jesus forgave and lifted the burden from my shoulders. I felt peace for the first time in my life. That was 47 years ago. The best decision I ever made was to receive His gift of Forgiveness.

  22. Jane on December 25th, 2015 4:11 am

    Thank you and a very Merry Christmas to you William!

  23. Richard on December 25th, 2015 2:45 am

    A blessed Christmas to all. and say a prayer for this country to return to the Lord.

  24. Ken Carr on December 25th, 2015 1:46 am

    I say, “Glory to God in the highest…” From where I am spending Christmas with my extended family in Lima, Peru to my Cantonment home. This is the most worthy news to report about. We should all be eager to hear the rest of the story through the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and the Revelation to John. It will change your life. Ken for excellence in reporting.