Jots and Tittles and other Random Things

God reaching down to man: Take Up Your Cross

prompt
What is your favorite version of the Christmas story and why?


[Source: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/the-christmas-bible-story-nativity-of...]

Angels Visit the Shepherds
The Shepherds and the Angels ~ Luke 2:8-21

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.


To me, this shows the Divine reaching out and touching humanity. The angels didn't appear to the kings/rulers of the earth, they came and visited the lowliest of men; the shepherds in order to proclaim the birth of the Savior. How like God to bless the lowly. Even the "parents" of Jesus were a carpenter and his wife. It is encouraging and comforting to know that God wants to reach ALL of mankind; not just the rich and "successful".

My two-cents, anyway.