✿ Jesus’ Birth ✿

Heart Preparation

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” God is the source of all peace. The angels announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds and proclaimed the great thing God had done. Sin caused alienation and enmity between God and man. But God, whom we offend, took the initiative to make peace. This is good news of great joy! Christ was born to die as a sacrifice—to make peace, to be our Peace. God bestows the favor of his grace on those he has chosen. His grace is their delight. But is his grace our hope? Is Christ your Peace? Today, thank God for his indescribable gift, Jesus Christ the Lord. And remember what your chief purpose is as a teacher: to tell the story of Jesus to these little ones—what a privilege!

Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart ev’ry word;
Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels, in chorus, sang as they welcomed his birth,
“Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.”
Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart ev’ry word;
Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.

Fanny Crosby, 1880 (Trinity Hymnal revised ©1990, p. 234)