Many are called, but few HAVE chosen: How the kingdom of God relates to us.

Matthew 22 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

22 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all thingsare ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

I love the KJV. Unlike the modern mistranslations of scripture, it is an exact word for word translation of the scriptures. However, not all the words in the KJV are from the original manuscripts. These words are all in Italics. These were added by the translators in an attempt to aid our understanding of the scriptures. Many times, these italicized words are fine- meaning they go along with the scriptural words just fine.
However, in this case, they got it wrong.
In the parable here, we find a king about to have a wedding party for his son. He sends forth for all the “somebody's” of the kingdom to come and share in his celebration. Unfortunately, all the “somebody's” had very little respect for the king and his son. So, they found other things to do, rather than answer the kings bidding. Because of this, the king was angry and destroyed them.
Still wanting to celebrate, the king throws open the doors of the castle and sends his servants to invite “whosoever will” to come. When the wedding feast was in full swing, the king noticed a man who wasn't wearing a wedding garment. This meant he had come in a different way (he snuck in) and either had not been invited, or had chosen to not follow the instructions of the king in order to enter in. When asked, the man had no answer and was summarily thrown out- bound hand and foot.
Given the context of the verse, the italicized word in verse 14, “are”, is the wrong choice. It should read, “Many are called but few HAVE chosen.” The nobles lost their lives and positions because they made the wrong choice. The man in the party that had no wedding garment, entered a different way, and therefore didn't receive the proper covering for the party. He made the wrong choice. (He wasn't born again-Acts 2:38 and given the garment of holiness to cover him) The king did choose every person mentioned in this parable. It was they who chose wrong. Therefore, “Many are called, but few (have) chosen,” is the correct way to verbalize this.

Now, notice something else about this parable in 22: 1-14.
When the king destroyed the nobility, he was destroying the whole governmental structure (as far as personnel goes). All of his dukes and earls. All of his judges. All of his generals and high ranking officers. All of his advisers. All of his leaders in industry. Everyone of any importance in his kingdom was now gone.
So, what's a king to do? You don't go on the street corner and find a general, do you? You don't go to the market and find a judge, do you? You don't go to the fish market and find a duke, right?
Or do you?
He hadn't changed his kingdom's organization. So, he had a whole kingdom full of empty positions that needed to be filled. Yet, all he had to fill it with were the ones that society called “the rabble.” Yet, the king brought them all into the feast, anyway.
The people coming into the feast were surprised enough to be invited and given new clothes worthy of attending the prince's wedding. They were awestruck at being able to eat and drink in the same room and out of the same fine china as the royal family. They were amazed at being seated for their meal and being able to see the fine linen table cloth's and the rich tapestry's and paintings on the walls.
But, the king had another surprise for them: They had all just been promoted! A lowly stable hand was now the keeper of the kings livestock. A lowly farm hand was now the chief gardener. A deck hand, who just yesterday was swabbing the decks of a warship, was now the captain of the vessel! And on and on it went. Some were appointed as generals, some dukes, some earls, and some judges. Yet, most of them new little to nothing about their new jobs.
They were now an important part of the kingdom, but understood little about how to carry out their commission. But, the king wasn't looking for more educated advisers and leaders who may or may not obey his wishes. No, he was raising up a people who would be loyal to him. He was lifting up a grateful populace that would willingly do their jobs the way the king commanded them to do it.
There were no longer any career politicians, whose families were associated with the court for generations (and who looked at the king as temporary in the grand scheme of things). No, the new court would serve him out of genuine love and devotion.
But, their new positions (callings), that they were totally unqualified for, would require that they spend many hours studying the kings proclamations and laws. It would also require they spend much time with the king himself. After all, words on a page do not fully capture the true intention of the king. Only by spending that time with him, could they truly understand the depths of the kings proclamations.
In this way, through study and spending time with the king, they could become qualified for the position that the king had called them into.
My friend, may I tell you that this situation is a perfect example of who we are. The “qualified” people of the world (by and large) aren't really interested in God's invitation. The ones with the pedigrees have been “in the way” for so long that they are (many times) getting “in the way.” The folks with the perfect pasts, spend most of their time glorying in their own perfection.
So God is turning to folks like me and you. He's invited us to enter into his feast. He's cleansed us and washed us in his blood- giving us holy robes so that we can be qualified to stand in his presence. But, he's called us here to do more than eat and drink at his table.
He has a job for us to do. A job that we are unqualified to do. But, if we will spend the time in his word, we can learn. If we will take the time to linger in his presence through prayer, he will teach us the heights and depths of his proclamations.
No, God no longer calls the qualified. He qualifies the called.
If he's called you into “the ministry,” he's given you an awesome responsibility. Study his word. Spend time in prayer. Allow him to change your attitudes, redeem your past, and lead you into the future.
It will be hard. It will be challenging. It will require everything you have and more.
You will endure much criticism from people who kno

w how you used to be. You will be mocked and jeered. You may be beaten, arrested, or beheaded. But, keep your eyes on the prize of the high calling of God- the call home, where you will hear him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant...” Then, it will be worth every tear shed and every burden borne.

Make up your mind and heart that he's not just your savior, he's your Lord (supreme controller) over every part of your life. Follow him. It will be worth it all.    

A soft word: communication help for the hapless.

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.


Matthew 5:37
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.


We Christians are commanded to be honest in all that we do and say. We fight our human nature, which- if we're honest- desires to protect itself and lift itself up. 


We take great pride in "saying what we mean and meaning what we say." Yet, in relationships with others, this prideful bluntness can be very harmful. It can drive wedges between us and our co-workers, our spouses, our family, our friends, and our fellow Christians. It has destroyed careers and decimated families and churches alike. 


We love to say, "let your yeas be yea, and your nays be nay." When we say that, many times there's a smug self righteousness that sneaks through and is heard by others. What they hear is, "I'm gonna say what I feel. I don't care how you feel about it at all."


Proverbs 15:1, I believe, is the key to better communication. It is the method by which we can BOTH say what we mean AND not alienate most of who listens to what we have said.


While it is true that somethings we say, especially Biblical things, will hurt some people's feelings. This is a given no matter how nicely we try and word things. In these situations we need to remember: Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Some folks just need the unadulterated truth, even if it hurts them. We cannot short cut the word of God in favor of someones feelings- no matter how much we love them. 

By the same token, however, we cannot go around swinging our sword at all who come near. This hack and slay approach may make you feel good about how much you know and are telling the "godless heathens" around you. But, it truly won't win the vast majority to your cause. If you're married, or soon to be, then swinging your sword isn't going to gain you any good will with your spouse.

When we are speaking to others, we need to be prayerful about it and try to be led by the spirit of God in what we say and do. Instead of angry retorts, try rewording what you're saying in a way that both lets them know you care and helps them see what you're saying from a different angle.

We men, as heads of the home, truly struggle with this. There is a tendency for us to parade around as "the master of all we survey" in our homes. God has named us head of the home (understood to our male ego's as "Lord of the Castle") and "by God, they had better do what I say." This attitude belittles your spouse (who is your helpmate, not your doormat) and will drive your children away from you as well. 

Rather than giving orders, try prayerfully explaining your ideas and allowing both their feedback and (if there's time) time to pray and think about it, as well. Instead of telling them what they will and won't do "because I say so", explain your reasons for your conclusions and allow them to ask questions. They may see things in a way that helps YOUR understanding, as well. 

While the husband does have the final say (in Jesus) on what can and cannot happen with his family, it is far better (and easier) to do things in agreement. In this way you truly LEAD your family. You're not trying to force them into your will. Even God allows us freedom of choice.

Granted there are times in which you will have to put your foot down, or make a decision that only you agree with- making your family upset. However, when those times come, they'll be far easier for you than if all you do is force your will down the throats of your loved ones. Remember, scripture says that, Proverbs 11:14

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety."

If you allow your family, especially your spouse, to be a part of your decisions, they are far more likely to follow you when they disagree. 

Major decisions, if possible, need to be done only in family unity. If all do not have peace about it, then take the time to re-examine and re-pray about it. Minor decisions, too, should be made together as much as possible. 

We have a hard enough time battling the influences of the world and our enemy without forcing battles in our homes. So, to my wife and family, I love you and am still learning. Please forgive me the errors of my past. 

The path of most resistance: Honour thy Father and thy Mother.

Exodus 20: ¹²Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Ephesians 6

 ¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

 ²Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

 ³That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

 ⁴And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

We live in a day and an hour where rebellion seems to be the new name of the game. Like never before, this modern generation seems to scream, "I'm going to do what I want to do!" Parents, who are on the front lines of this battle, seem to be fighting a losing war.


The scriptures tell us to "train up a child in the way that (they) should go..." (Proverbs22:6), yet we find resistance to that training on every side. Children are indoctrinated by schools with false theologies (evolution, falsified history, global warming, etc). These ungodly philosophies paint parents as being "stuck in the past", uneducated, unable to cope or dwell successfully in the new and evolving world. Movies, television, and music, all to often paint the parent as an idiot and the child as the hero who shows up to save the day. So the kids begin to doubt the word of the very people who love and care for them, and want them to be successful in life: their parents.


The scriptures tell us that, "foolishness is in the heart of a child, the rod of correction shall drive it far from them." (Proverbs 22:15) Yet the schools we send them to, and even (in some cases) the laws of the land, have declared that spanking is child abuse. So, when the child is acting in rebellion, as children do, and we reach for the rod to correct them with, the child begins to reach for the phone and threatens to throw us in jail for attempting to do the very thing the scriptures TELL US to do: drive that foolishness out of their hearts and far from them.


Yet, when our children act up, the law wants to point a finger of blame at us for "not controlling our children properly." When we point out the obvious reasons of the shackles they have placed on us, they tell us to go see a psychologist. These "professionals" (for after all, we parents are the idiots and can't possibly know what's best for our own kids) then put our children on mind altering and harmful psychotropic drugs to help control them. These drugs open our children up to demonic attack! Many of the people who do the worst violence in our society were raised on these very drugs that the professionals tell us will help our children be good people.


Sadly, huge numbers of these children wind up leaving the God of their youth, going wild, and end up in jail for crimes that they probably otherwise wouldn't have committed. 


The 6th commandment boldly tells our children how they are to respond to their parent: Honour thy Father and Mother. What does the word Honour mean: I went to the Hebrew, but it basically said "Honor". So, I turned to Websters and found this: 

1: a : good name or public esteem : reputationb : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition honor to our founder>

2

: privilege honor of joining the captain for dinner>

3

: a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office Honor please>

4

: one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit honorto the profession>

5

: the center point of the upper half of an armorialescutcheon

6

: an evidence or symbol of distinction: asa : an exalted title or rankb (1) : badge, decoration (2) : a ceremonial rite orobservance honors>c : an award in a contest or field of competitiond archaic : a gesture of deference : bowe plural (1) : an academic distinction conferred on a superior student (2) : a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course

7

: chastity, purity honor and her life — Barton Black>

8

a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity honor>b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance honor, I will be there>

9

plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a hosthonors> 


So, since our children are commanded by God to look at us with respect, love, admiration, as being above them and obeyed by them, God gave them a promise. IF they will honour us, HE promises them "thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." After all, if they will learn to honour us, they will one day learn to honour God.


This honour that they are to show us starts with how we raise them. If we raise them in "the nurture and the admonition of the Lord" by obeying HIS recipe for raising a child they will become children that bring us honour and respect us. 


Real love doesn't defer to "the wisdom inherent in the child". Rather, real love teaches them how to live and corrects them when they are wrong. 


Spanking is necessary because it teaches them that there are painful consequences to doing wrong. Planting the seed in them that they want to live Godly. It also reinforces God's warning of ultimate punishment (hell) for those who choose to live ungodly. After all, if my earthly Father will punish me, how much more will my heavenly Father punish me? 


But, we are also to teach them:


Deuteronomy 6: ⁴Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

 ⁵And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

 ⁶And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

 ⁷And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

 ⁸And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

 ⁹And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

We are to carry God's word in our hearts, decorate our homes in Godly ways, and take every opportunity we can find to teach our children about God and his ways. 

Spanking without this will do very little good. This PLUS spanking will reinforce the word of God in their hearts and minds. If we want Godly children, we MUST raise them up in the way they should go. Our lives should be a visible Bible that they can read. We need to LIVE the way we are teaching them to live. 

We don't need to entertain them, we need to teach them. We don't need

to drug them, we need to correct them and give them responsibilities and Godly activities to do. We don't need to get them all that they want, we need to provide them what they need to be successful for God. We can't let them be involved in ungodly activities and hang around ungodly so-called friends, we need to guard them against these things that will ultimately send them to hell. 


When the scriptures tell us not to "provoke our children to wrath", it doesn't mean not to make them mad. It means to raise them in a way that will keep them safe from God's wrath! Sometimes, a little pain to the rear or a little doing without something they think is so important, may be the difference in their lives between heaven and hell, freedom and jail. 


If we truly want our children to receive God's promise of a long and Godly life, then we need to honour them. We do this NOT by treating them as if they are in charge. We do this by praying, being diligent in the things of God, and setting up a Godly structure in our homes that they can later emulate in their own lives and homes. If we do this, then they will begin to honour us. If they begin to honour us, then they will be open to honouring God.


They may think us crazy now, but later, they will thank us for teaching them and showing them the way. They will proudly tell their own children: "Your Grandparents are the reason I am who I am today. I thank God for them and I thank them for teaching me about God."   

A Chronological Christmas

Before I begin this post, let it be known to one and all that:

a) I do realize that Jesus was NOT born on Dec 25th.

b) I understand that Christmas was originally a pagan holiday that was "Christianized" by the Catholic church.

       That having been said, it is not the purpose of this post to argue about any of that. Rather, it is the Chronology of "the Christmas story", that I wish to address.

       It is currently presented via "the nativity scene" and most church plays, etc, that everything about the Christmas story took place during a few day period. Indeed, many believe all on the same night. Yet, scripturally speaking, this is simply not true. In fact, we know- at the risk of getting ahead of myself- that the wise men came to see Jesus some 2 years AFTER his birth. Why else would Herod order the destruction of all the Bethlehem children 2 years old and younger when the wise men left without seeing him (as he had ordered them to)?

       So, with that in mind, let us re-examine this story as the scriptures truly tell it.

       First of all, why does the world celebrate this holiday at all? The world celebrates it as a time of joy and sharing with friends and family. It's a time of giving and showing love to your loved ones. Nothing wrong with that, in principle.

      But, what is the real reason behind the season for the Christian? It is all of the above AND it is a time of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Why celebrate his birth at all? Because of Calvary! He came to die. He came to show us that there is a real and lasting hope of eternal life THROUGH HIM. For me, just because the early church didn't celebrate his birthday (at least as far as we know from scripture) is no reason not to celebrate it. I'm glad he came! If he hadn't we'd have no hope at all. And, if I can celebrate the birth of my wife and children, how much more can I celebrate the birth of my Savior?

      Indeed, let us look at why he came:

Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.


The scriptures scream that God came to save us from our sins. Who is this Jesus? 


1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Isaiah 9:6

King James Version (KJV)

 ⁶For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The one and only creator- the God of the whole universe- made himself a man (became a son) and went to Calvary in order that we could truly be free. That's love! That's a loving Father!

That, to me, is the real reason for the season. The fact that God almighty robed himself in human flesh in order to make a way for me- That is reason to celebrate! That's what the whole world needs to know!

So, without further waiting, here is the "Christmas story", in Chronological order, so we all get it right. After all, don't we want to tell the story correctly?

Luke 1:⁵THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

 ⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

 ⁷And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

 ⁸And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

 ⁹According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

 ¹⁰And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

 ¹¹And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

 ¹²And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

 ¹³But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

 ¹⁴And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

 ¹⁵For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

 ¹⁶And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

 ¹⁷And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

 ¹⁸And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

 ¹⁹And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

 ²⁰And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

 ²¹And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

 ²²And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

 ²³And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

 ²⁴And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

 ²⁵Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

 ²⁶And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

 ²⁷To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

 ²⁸And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

 ²⁹And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

 ³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

 ³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

 ³²He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

 ³³And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

 ³⁴Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

 ³⁵And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 ³⁶And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

 ³⁷For with God nothing shall be impossible.

 ³⁸And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

 ³⁹And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

 ⁴⁰And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

 ⁴¹And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

 ⁴²And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

 ⁴³And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

 ⁴⁴For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

 ⁴⁵And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

 ⁴⁶And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

 ⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

 ⁴⁸For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

 ⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

 ⁵⁰And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

 ⁵¹He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

 ⁵²He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

 ⁵³He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

 ⁵⁴He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

 ⁵⁵As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

 ⁵⁶And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

 ⁵⁷Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

 ⁵⁸And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

 ⁵⁹And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

 ⁶⁰And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

 ⁶¹And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

 ⁶²And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

 ⁶³And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

 ⁶⁴And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

 ⁶⁵And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

 ⁶⁶And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

 ⁶⁷And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

 ⁶⁸Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

 ⁶⁹And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

 ⁷⁰As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

 ⁷¹That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

 ⁷²To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

 ⁷³The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

 ⁷⁴That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

 ⁷⁵In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

 ⁷⁶And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

 ⁷⁷To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

 ⁷⁸Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

 ⁷⁹To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

 ⁸⁰And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Matthew 1: ¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

 ¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

 ²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

 ²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 ²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

 ²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 ²⁴Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

 ²⁵And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2

 ¹And 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.)
 ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 ⁴And 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:)
 ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
 ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
 ⁷And 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.
 ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
 ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
 ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
 ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
 ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
 ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
 ¹⁵And 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.
 ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
 ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
 ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
 ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
 ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
 ²¹And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
 ²²And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
 ²³(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
 ²⁴And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
 ²⁵And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
 ²⁶And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
 ²⁷And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
 ²⁸Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
 ²⁹Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
 ³⁰For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
 ³¹Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
 ³²A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
 ³³And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
 ³⁴And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
 ³⁵(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
 ³⁶And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
 ³⁷And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
 ³⁸And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
 ³⁹And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
 ⁴⁰And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Matthew 2:

¹Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
 ²Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
 ³When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
 ⁴And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
 ⁵And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
 ⁶And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
 ⁷Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
 ⁸And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
 ⁹When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
 ¹⁰When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
 ¹¹And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
 ¹²And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
 ¹³And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
 ¹⁴When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
 ¹⁵And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
 ¹⁶Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
 ¹⁸In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
 ¹⁹But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
 ²⁰Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
 ²¹And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
 ²²But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
 ²³And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

       Notice that the shepherds saw Jesus in the manger the night he was born. The wise men saw him in a house about 2 years later. The shepherds saw Jesus as a baby. The wise men saw him as a young child.

      The Christmas story was about a 2+ year story, not a one night event. Just as our own walk with God requires a life time relationship, not a one time prayer. God bless you all and Merry Christmas!