From Mark Copeland... Let No One Despise Your Youth (1 Timothy 4:12)

                                                    
                                                   "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                  Let No One Despise Your Youth (4:12)

INTRODUCTION

1. Who is useful to the Master when it comes to faithful service...?
   a. Is it only the elderly, those with the most experience?
   b. Do not the young have an important role to fulfill?

2. We can easily become guilty of looking down upon the young...
   a. Perhaps by not taking their obedience to the gospel seriously
   b. Perhaps by expecting little of them in regards to service
   c. Perhaps by even preventing them from service because of their age

3. In 1Ti 4:12, Paul was writing to the young evangelist Timothy...
   a. In which he tells him, "Let no one despise your youth..."
   b. Even then there was the danger of some looking down upon those who
      were younger

4. In this lesson, I wish to...
   a. Illustrate how God often used young people to carry out His
      purposes
   b. Point out the kind of young people God can use
   c. Remind those of us who are older of our responsibility to the
      young

[While God often used the elderly (cf. Moses, Joshua) to fulfill His
purpose, there are many examples of God using the young as well..]

I. GOD'S USE OF YOUNG PEOPLE

   A. TO SAVE ISRAEL IN TIME OF FAMINE...
      1. It was through Joseph that God provided Israel a means to
         survive a famine
      2. He was seventeen when sold as a slave to Potiphar - cf. Gen 37:2

   B. TO DELIVER ISRAEL FROM THE PHILISTINES...
      1. As when God used David to defeat Goliath
      2. Even though he was "but a youth", according to King Saul
         - 1Sa 17:33

   C. TO LEAD ISRAEL TO ITS GREATEST HEIGHTS...
      1. God had David appoint Solomon to succeed him
      2. Who when he became king, thought of himself as but "a little
         child" - 1Ki 3:7

   D. TO RESTORE JUDAH TO THE TRUE WORSHIP OF GOD...
      1. When eight, Josiah became king, and was a good one - 2Ch 34:
         1-2
      2. When sixteen, he sought to serve God - 2Ch 34:3
      3. When twenty, he instituted religious reforms throughout Judah
         - 2Ch 34:3
      4. When twenty-six, he restored the temple, and the Passover
         - 2Ch 34:8; 35:18-19

   E. TO PROPHESY TO THE NATIONS...
      1. Speaking of Jeremiah, who tried to escape his prophetic call
         - Jer 1:4-6
      2. But God told him to not say, "I am a youth", that He would be
         with him - Jer 1:7-8

   F. TO REVEAL THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD OVER THE NATIONS...
      1. This God did through Daniel, likely 12 to 15 when taken into
         captivity - Dan 1:3-5
      2. Making him 15 to 18 when starting as Nebuchadnezzar's counselor
         - Dan 1:18-20

   G. TO BRING THE SAVIOR INTO THE WORLD...
      1. Which He did through Mary
      2. Who was but a young virgin - Lk 1:26-33

   H. TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO THE LOST...
      1. Referring to Timothy, selected by Paul to join him on his
         journeys - Ac 16:1-3
      2. Who must have been quite young, for it was about fourteen years
         later that Paul tells him to let no one despise his youth!
         - 1Ti 4:12

[It should be evident that God has often used young people to accomplish
great things!  I believe He can do much through young people today;  but
what kind of young people can He use?]

II. THE KIND OF YOUNG PEOPLE GOD CAN USE

   A. THOSE WILLING TO FLEE IMMORALITY...
      1. Like Joseph did, when it would have been so easy for him to
         acquiesce - Gen 39:7-12
      2. As Timothy was instructed - 2Ti 2:22
      -- When anyone is willing to keep their bodies pure, they can be a
         temple in which the Holy Spirit can abide and do much good
         - cf. 1Co 6:18-20

   B. THOSE WILLING TO TRUST IN GOD...
      1. Like David did when fighting Goliath - cf. 1Sa 17:37,45-47
      2. Who later proclaimed the value of trusting in God - 2Sa 22:31

   C. THOSE WHO HAVE THE PROPER PRIORITIES...
      1. Like Solomon, who realized the value of wisdom - 1Ki 3:5-9
      2. And later exhorted his son to seek after wisdom - Pr 3:1-6
      -- If we are willing to seek the kingdom of God first, our Father
         will provide - Mt 6:33

   D. THOSE WILLING TO SEEK THE LORD WITH HUMILITY...
      1. As did Josiah, even when he was eight years old - 2Ch 34:3
      2. Who later was told that he was blessed because of this - 2 Chr 34:26-28

   E. THOSE WILLING TO BOLDLY DO GOD'S WILL...
      1. As did Jeremiah, even though he had to be reassured at first
         - cf. Jer 1:6-8
      2. But then began his ministry by preaching at the gate of the
         temple - Jer 7:1-7

   F. THOSE WILLING TO BE TRUE TO THEIR CONVICTIONS...
      1. As was Daniel, who refused to compromise his beliefs - Dan 1:8
      2. But as a result found favor in the eyes of others - Dan 1:9

   G. THOSE WILLING TO HUMBLY SUBMIT TO GOD'S WILL...
      1. As did Mary - Lk 1:38
      2. Who accepted the premise that with God nothing is impossible!
         - Lk 1:34-37

   H. THOSE WILLING TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS...
      1. As Paul instructed Timothy - 1Ti 4:12-16
      2. An example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith,
         in purity
      -- For then can one save not only themselves, but others as well!
         - 1Ti 4:16

[Certainly young people who are willing to emulate the examples of
Joseph, David, etc., can be of great service today!  But we who are
older can encourage them when we remember...]

III. OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE YOUNG

   A. RECEIVE THEM...
      1. As Jesus emphasized when young children were brought to him
         - Mt 18:5; 19:14
      2. For in receiving them in Christ's name, we receive Christ
         Himself!

   B. DON'T PLACE STUMBLING BLOCKS IN THEIR WAY...
      1. We should be very careful in this regard - Mt 18:6-7
      2. The Father is very concerned about their spiritual well-being
         - Mt 18:10,14

   C. ENCOURAGE THEM...
      1. As Paul instructed the church at Corinth to do for Timothy
         - 1Co 16:10
      2. When young people are involved in the work of the Lord, the
         last thing they need is for the people of God to discourage
         them!

   D. DESPISE THEM NOT...
      1. As Paul admonished the church regarding young Timothy - 1Co 16:11
      2. As Paul admonished Timothy himself in our text - 1Ti 4:12

CONCLUSION

1. Yes, the young can and should be very active in doing the work of the
   Lord!
   a. We certainly have many examples of God using the young
   b. And we have the example of Jesus Himself, at age twelve - cf. Lk 2:41-49

2. We who are older should always be careful to encourage the desire of
   the young to serve, and let no one despise their youth!

In closing, we might all ask ourselves:  "Are we about our Father's
business?"  Whether young or old, we should be!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary.... Irony

I know, it caught my attention too!!!  Sometimes you see strange things in life and this picture sure fits the bill.  What was meant to be a tool in putting out fires- is on fire!!!  How ironic!!!  Is there irony in the Bible- you can count on it!!! Here is one of the many instances...

Genesis, Chapter 45

  1 Then Joseph couldn’t control himself before all those who stood before him, and he cried, “Cause everyone to go out from me!” No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.  2 He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.  3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” 

His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were terrified at his presence.  4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” 

They came near. “He said, I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.  5 Now don’t be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.  6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are yet five years, in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.  7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.  8 So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.  9 Hurry, and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t wait.  10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you will be near to me, you, your children, your children’s children, your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.  11 There I will nourish you; for there are yet five years of famine; lest you come to poverty, you, and your household, and all that you have.”’  12 Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.  13 You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here.”  14 He fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.  15 He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him. 

Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery and HE DELIVERS THEM!!! Irony at its best!!!  Joseph could have held a grudge, but didn't.  In fact he showed love towards those who did evil toward him.  Good lesson, good example, good thing to think about- and learn from as well.  Time well spent!!!!

From Ben Fronczek... James (Part 5) Listen More, Speak Less, and Stay Cool

James (Part 5) Listen More, Speak Less, 

and Stay Cool

I have really enjoyed preparing lessons from the Epistle of James because for me it talks about practical aspects of how to live everyday as a Christian.     And the message from James which we will look at today is probably one of the best known passages that James penned; not only by Christians but also by non-Christians as well. Why is it so well know and probably memorized by so many; because it contains simple truths that everyone can understand and appreciate.

Now what verse am I referring to? 

James 1:19-20 which says, 

“19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”

If you have been following this series of lessons that I have been doing here from the epistle of James; I have been trying to look at the letter from the perspective of James being the stepbrother of Jesus and someone who grew up in the same household as Jesus. Jesus was the older brother and so James probably wrote from a different perspective than other in scripture.

So as we look at and consider this text, I cannot help but wonder if growing up with Jesus led him to this conclusion; that, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

I would like to think that time spent with Jesus led him to this conclusion.

As we discussed before, Jesus and James were part of a sizable family. We know that Jesus had at least four stepbrothers and a number of stepsisters. And if it was like any other family, especially with that many siblings in tight quarters, it probably got pretty hectic and loud at times. Boys will be boys and girls will be girls and so I can’t help but imagine that there were times where there were clashes that happen like in every family from time to time. “Mommy James took my dolly.” “No I didn’t, Jude did.” “Yea Jude, wait till I tell Simon and Joseph that you were playing with our sisters dolly.” “Don’t you dare, I was just looking at how it was made! “  “Give me my dolly, give me my dolly now. Mommy, tell Jude to give me my dolly.”

And then as the years passed by, and all those hormones began to flow, that household probably like so many of our households it had its share of sibling fights and arguments.

But in all that, where was Jesus? Did Jesus argue with His siblings? Probably. Can one argue without sinning? Of course. Some call it a discussion or debate. Sin shows it head when certain attitudes show their head. Arguments become sinful when they go beyond debating and cynical, self centered agendas show their head. Is getting angry a sin? Again it depends on why we are angry, and then what we do once we are angry.

Later we read how Jesus got angry at the Temple and even made a whip and turned tables over, driving out the moneychangers and those selling animals; but He never crossed the line into sinful behavior. He argued and debated with the Pharisees and teaches of the Law. There were times when He even condemned them, yet through it all He did not sin; and again it had everything to do with why He was doing it, and His heart condition.

When we see someone hurting the innocent, or others perverting truth or doing evil it’s not ungodly to get upset and angry about those things.      James has much to say about wrong attitudes that lead to fights. 

In chapter 4 he writes; 

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”  

So back to our verse in chapter 1 where James writes 

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” 

Here James instructs how we should live our life in relation to others. He makes 3 suggestions here in this text…  (Notice the order… their order is important)

#1. Be quick to listen. 

I think most argument are the result of someone not listening, or paying attention to what’s going on or what someone says. Too many of us have selective hearing, or we hear what we want to hear and ignore the rest and so we don’t get the whole story. This causes arguments.

How well do you listen? How many times have you heard, “But that’s not what I said.”?

Or how many times do you catch yourself saying, “I don’t remember you saying that.”?

Dale Carnegie who wrote  How to Win Friends and Influence People , said that you can make more friends in two weeks by becoming a good listener than you can in two years trying to get other people interested in you.

I would like to believe that Jesus was a good listener and He did not jump to conclusions or get angry simply because He didn’t take the time to listen. And I believe He’s still listening today.

There are businesses who actually train their employees, Techniques to Improve Listening to others more carefully as they speak. Why, because most of us don’t listen very well when others speak and sometimes it’s critical that really listen carefully.

Now James is telling us that this is important, #1 in preventing arguments.

#2 Then he tells us to be “slow to speak.”                                                                         

Boy doesn’t this get us into trouble. We just can’t wait to put in our two cents and give our opinion. We are so anxious to share our wisdom that some of us interrupting others as they speak. We are not only bad at listening, we don’t even want to give the other person a chance to speak or complete a sentence. And sometimes what we say does more harm than good.

A guy came to his pastor and said, “Reverend, I only have one talent.”
The pastor asked, “What’s your talent?   The man said, “I have the gift of criticism.”    The preacher was wise and replied, “The Bible says that the guy who had only one talent went out and buried it. Maybe that’s what you ought to do with yours.”

Can you imagine Jesus interrupting or butting in as others shared their thoughts and feelings? I can’t, He loved them too much to do that.

Love? Yes love. Can you think of a greater expression of love than taking the time to listen to a person, and really hear what they have to say, not interrupting them but patiently waiting to share your opinion when they are done, or maybe not even saying anything all?

Do you remember what Paul wrote concerning love in 1 Corinthians 13, he wrote, 

“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Sometimes the kindest, most loving thing we can do is let another speak, and let them unload, paying attention to them and just keeping quiet.                        I like what Solomon wrote in  Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”

The third thing that James tells us in our text is:

#3, That we should be  ”Slow to become angry, 

(Why? Because…)

20man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”

Do people feel like they are walking on egg shells around you because your fuse is so short they never know when you are going to blow up? James is telling us that if you are like, you have a problem and it’s not something that God wants to see in you… especially as a Christian.

You not only put those around you on guard, you also rob yourself of the and peace tranquility you should have because you are always getting angry.

If anyone should have been angry all the time if should have been Jesus; and rightfully so. Look at how we have treated His creation. Look at how mankind treats others. Look at the wars, the crime, the injustice, the neglect; look at how some take advantage of the innocent.  If it was you or me we’d probably be a lot like James and John who wanted to call down lightening and zap people. We would have been zapping people left and right in anger because of how they destroy and pervert what is good.

But there was more Love in Jesus than anger. I believe James saw that growing up with Him. I believe Jesus was not only a good listener, I also believe He chose His words carefully and He was slow to anger. He probably didn’t let every little thing set Him off

As James wrote, anger does not produce the kind of righteousness that God wants to see in us. I believe He would rather see love, patience, and mercy than hostile anger in us. Anger closes and hardens our heart.   We need to let go of it. If we don’t, we can become bitter a miserable.

Do you have what can be considered a short or hot temper? Ask God to help you in this matter. Picture how Jesus chose the emotion of Love over anger and ask Him to help you do the same. And, if there is a good reason to get angry, be careful not to let it lead to you sin. Two wrongs don’t make it right.  A Loving attitude is powerful and more pleasing to God and more important to others.

For more lessons click on the following link:

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... Duesberg and Bird-Flu Armageddon

Duesberg and Bird-Flu Armageddon

A number of us asked renowned virologist, Peter Duesberg, about the near-hysteria in the media concerning the coming Bird-flu pandemic. What follows was his brief and blunt response. No wonder the power-brokers and the money-makers in the pharmaceutical world and science journals want to keep this man quiet. Check out his website at duesberg.com.

"The reason why the Flu was so successful in 1918 was primarily the "terrain", namely the millions of immuno-deficient hosts and hostesses starved and stressed by 4 years of war.

Secondly, one can speculate that the 1918 flu strain may also have been a "new" recombinant to the 1918 population and thus more successful than a more established seasonal strain may have been. As I found in 1968, flu, unlike practically all other animal viruses, has multiple RNA segments, equivalent to multiple chromosomes and thus can readily form new recombinants--this is why we have seasonal flus, but have measles, mumps, polio, pox etc. only once in a lifetime.

Thirdly, the odds that the Centers for Disease Control alias World Health Organization ever predicts an epidemic prior to its arrival are not good. In the past several years they have predicted numerous epidemics or "pandemics" such as the flu, the hanta-virus, anthrax, the rotavirus, the Ebola virus, the West Nile virus, "mad cow" epidemic, the Sars-virus epidemic, an epi-pandemic of "random, eg. heterosexual non-drug user-AIDS"—but none of these ever materialized (see, Inventing the AIDS Virus, Regnery publishing, Washington DC, 1996). The last one that came close to an epidemic was polio in the 1950s and that was not predicted by American public health scientists.

Fourth, the currently hyped prospective Flu pandemic has long missed its chances. It has been hyped almost daily in the San Francisco Chronicle [and everywhere else—jim mcguiggan] since last November. But all that happened was a dead chicken in Nigeria, a hamster in Germany, two sick (dead?) kids in Turkey, a euthanized swan in Sweden, several dead or euthanized chickens in Iraq (yes Iraq!), etc. That is not the pattern of a potential killer microbe. All "new" killer viral or microbial epidemics of the past have spread exponentially within weeks to months and then declined exponentially owing to the induction of immunity or death of susceptible hosts--take Albert Camus' "The Plague" as a classical example.

The current Flu propaganda is thus a mix of ignorance and and self-interest and an exploitation of general ignorance. Exploitation, that is, by the CDC, WHO, the vaccine, pill and test-kit manufacturers of our universities and pharmaceutical companies who must sell their ageing vaccine stocks before they decompose and their Tamiflu pills before the summer. And there’s our "science" journalists, who need to fill their daily columns.

But despite hyping dozens of microbial Godots—no Godot has come since polio. People are just too well nourished these days, and thus have optimally maintained immune systems for microbes to attack more than just the fringes of the ever growing human herd. That in fact is their historical share.

The 150 million+ Flu pandemics are hype for fund-raising by the ever more costly science/health armies in search for real enemies. Their success is based on the invisible monsters of the microbial epidemics of the (earlier) times, when nutrition lacked vitamins, proteins and sanitation or was lacking all together—and on the never failing microbial and viral horror fantasies of our science writers, politicians and Hollywood producers."

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Physically Fit, Spiritually Alive (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

                     "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

               Physically Fit, Spiritually Alive (4:7-8)

INTRODUCTION

1. Many people place great emphasis upon physical well-being...
   a. Note the number of gyms, tennis courts, swimming pools, health
      clubs
   b. Seeking to improve the quality of life, as well as the quantity of
      years

2. For some, physical exercise comes close to being a religion in of
   itself...
   a. I've personally known runners to admit as such
   b. Sunday for them is a day of sport, not worship

[Physical exercise and well-being has its place, but must be kept in
perspective.  One passage that helps us to do this is our text (1 Ti
4:7-8).  Note first what we can learn about...]

I. BODILY EXERCISE

   A. DOES PROFIT A LITTLE...
      1. Makes for a well-rounded development - Lk 2:52
      2. Enhances the use of our "instruments of righteousness" (bodies)
         - Ro 6:12-13
      3. Extends the time we can glorify God - 1Co 6:19-20
      -- There is some value for a healthy routine of physical exercise

   B. DOES HAVE LIMITATIONS...
      1. Beauty is deceitful - Pr 31:30
      2. Attraction can be incongruous - Pr 11:22
      3. Strength will eventually fail - 2Co 4:16
      -- Physical exercise alone cannot meet all our needs, and will
         eventually fail us

[There is another exercise of which our text speaks, which those
concerned with true fitness do well to consider...]

II. GODLY EXERCISE

   A. DOES HAVE PROMISE FOR THE LIFE THAT NOW IS...
      1. Daily renewal for the inner man - 2Co 4:16
      2. True peace, joy, and hope - Ro 14:17; 15:13
      3. Winsome personality - Ga 5:22-23
      4. Extended family - Mk 10:28-30
      -- These are wonderful benefits that godly exercise offers in this
         life!

   B. DOES HAVE PROMISE FOR THE LIFE TO COME...
      1. Eternal life in the age to come - Mk 10:28-30
      2. Everlasting fellowship with God - Re 21:1-7
      -- Here is where godly exercise truly excels over bodily exercise!

[Both bodily exercise and godly exercise therefore have their value.
Understanding their respective values should help in...]

III. MAINTAINING A HEALTHY BALANCE

   A. WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT...?
      1. In expenditure of time?
         a. Some health officials recommend exercising 30 minutes a day
         b. Do we spend an equivalent amount of time in prayer, Bible
            study, or service to God?
      2. In expenditure of energy?
         a. Physical fitness often requires a great expenditure of
            effort
         b. Are we willing to make similar efforts in our service to
            God?
      -- Do we spend as much time and energy exercising ourselves unto
         godliness as we do engaging in various forms of bodily
         exercise? - cf. 2Co 4:16-5:1

   B. WHICH COMES FIRST...?
      1. When conflicts arise?
         a. Sport events or exercise routines often conflict with duties
            to God
         b. Do we have the same convictions as Eric Liddell? - cf.
            Chariots Of Fire
      2. When time is limited?
         a. We only have so much time
         b. If we must cut back on some activity, will be it a spiritual
            or physical one?
      -- Do we have our priorities straight, is our emphasis properly
         placed? - cf. Mt 6:33

CONCLUSION

1. Whether young or old, physical fitness has a place in our lives as
   Christians...
   a. Taking care of our bodies, temples of the Holy Spirit
   b. Making good use of our bodily members as instruments of
      righteousness
   c. Improving the quality and length of service we can offer the Lord
      in this life

2. But physical fitness without godly exercise is vanity...
   a. The outer man will eventually fail us
   b. The inner man is the true measure of character and spirituality

Maintaining a proper balance will help us to be truly "Physically Fit,
Spiritually Alive."  Speaking of being spiritually alive, have you been
born again...? - cf. Jn 3:3-5; Mk 16:16; Ro 6:3-4

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... The rest of the story

This picture reminded me of the lights on Braham drive in our development.  Rather, the lights that were on this roadway.  Only one or two remain now, because after January 1st most people are quick to go back to "normal". So, Christmas and New Years are history and its time to move on with life.  So it was with the "Christmas story" in Scripture as well....

Luke, Chapter 2

  1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.  4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;  5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. 

  6  While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.  7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.  8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.  9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.  11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”  13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, 

  14 “Glory to God in the highest,

on earth peace, good will toward men.”

  15  When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said one to another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.  17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.  18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.  20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them. 

  21  When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 

  22  When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord  23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),  24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

  25  Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.  26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,  28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 

  29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,

according to your word, in peace;

  30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

  31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

  32 a light for revelation to the nations,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

  33  Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,  34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.  35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 

Jesus' birth has affected untold multitudes of people, some positively and others in a negative way.  But to all those whose hearts are revealed in obedience to his Gospel, salvation is given as a blessing.  And, as Paul Harvey would say... This is the rest of the story!!!!