A Savior has been born

The wise men at a display at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta. (Photo by Art Smith)

Matthew 1:18 — This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:19 — Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Matthew 1:20 — But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:21 — “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

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The angel above a nativity scene at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta. (Photo by Art Smith)

Luke 2:1 — In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

Luke 2:3 — And everyone went to their own town to register.

Luke 2:4 — So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

Luke 2:5 — He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Luke 2:6 — While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

A very large display at the Stout Memorial United Methodist Church on Broad Street in Parkersburg. (Photo by Art Smith)

Luke 2:7 — and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:8 — And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

Luke 2:9 — An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Luke 2:10 — But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Luke 2:11 — “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

The large stained glass window of the First United Methodist Church on Juliana Street in Parkersburg. (Photo by Art Smith)

Luke 2:12 — “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:13 — Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

Luke 2:14 — “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:15 — When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Luke 2:16 — So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

A wise man at the First United Methodist Church on Juliana Street in Parkersburg. (Photo by Art Smith)

Luke 2:17 — When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

Luke 2:18 — and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

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Matthew 2:1 — After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

Matthew 2:2 — and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

The wise men at a display at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta. (Photo by Art Smith)

Matthew 2:3 — When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:7 — Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.

Matthew 2:8 — He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

Matthew 2:9 — After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.

Matthew 2:10 — When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Matthew 2:11 — On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:12 — And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

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