Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 4
Thursday


CHANGING
HISTORY

READ:
Luke 2:1-14
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There is born to you
this day in the city of
David a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord.
__ Luke 2:11
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Today when we can make international cell-phone calls, send worldwide e-mail, and download images from space on our computers, it's difficult to imagine the impact of one small satellite the size of a basketball. But on October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union's launching of Sputnik I, the worlds first artificial satellite, ushered in the modern Space Age and changed the course of history. Nations rushed to catch up, technological development accelerated, and fear alternated with hope about the meaning of it all for humanity.

But events that alter the present and the future sometimes occur in obscurity. That was true of the birth of Jesus--just one baby, born to an ordinary couple in a small town. But it changed the course of history. The words of an angel spoken to shepherds began to spread: "There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). Nineteen centuries later, Phillips Brooks wrote of Bethlehem, "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight."

When we open our lives to Christ the Lord and acknowledge Him as our Savior, the course of our future history is changed for time and eternity. These "Good tidings of great joy" (v.10) are for everyone, everywhere. __ David McCasland
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The turning point in history~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Occurred one night in Bethlehem;~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~And shepherds spread the glorious news~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~The angel had announced to them. __ Hess~~~~~~~~~
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The hinge of history is found on the door
of a Bethlehem stable.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Luke 2:1-14*************

1 And it came to pass in
those days that a decree
went out from Caesar
Augustus that all the world
should be registered. 2 This
census first took place
while Quirinius was
governing Syria. 3 So all
went to be registered,
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
lineage of David, 5 to be
registered with Mary, his
betrothed wife, who was
with child. 6 So it was, that
while they were there, the
days were completed for
her to be delivered. 7 And
she brought forth her
firstborn Son, and wrapped
Him in swaddling cloths,
and laid Him in a manger,
because there was no room
for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the
same ountry shepherds
living out in the fields,
keeping watch over their
flock by night. 9 And
behold, an angel of the
Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord
shone around them, and
they were greatly afraid.

10 Then the angel said to
them, "Do not be afraid, for
behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy which
will be to all people. 11 For
there is born to you this day
in the city of David a
Savior, who is Christ the
Lord. 12 And this will be the
sign to you: You will find a
Babe wrapped in swaddling
cloths, 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,
goodwill toward men!"