Luke 2 King James Version (KJV)
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And 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:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And 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.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.
And 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.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Stella's Place 
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS DAY TO STELLA AND ALL STELLARS…
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Merry Christmas, Lucille.
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Thanks, czarina! Hope your day was grand!
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Merry Christmas from New Orleans, y’all!
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A Blessed Christmas to you Lucille and all our Stellar family. Thank you Stella for creating this haven of friendship, joy, beauty and humor.
L’Innocence by Bouguereau – such a beautiful painting of love, but also sacrifice as represented by the lamb. Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
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Thank you, TOG&C! Such a exquisite painting.
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For some reason NatGeo has decided to run Morgan Freeman’s ‘The Story of God’ on Christmas Eve. I’m watching him explain to us how Jews, Christians and Moslems all believe in the same God.
It’s questionable enough having an agnostic/atheist doing a series that explores the concept of God but not getting the facts straight makes me wonder if they have an agenda.
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Of course they have an agenda. They always seem to have an agenda.
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200 Years Ago Today Silent Night Was First Performed at St. Nikola Church in Oberndorf, Germany
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/12/200-years-ago-today-silent-night-was-first-performed-at-st-nikola-church-in-oberndorf-germany/
Here is a nice version of it in German https://youtu.be/3Fos5pibAiQ
In school we learned Christmas carols in their original Latin, German, and French, and it was a public school.
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Yes, I remember our singing Christmas carols in public school, in German and Latin. Then that was before the progs opened our eyes to how racist, Eurocentric, and intolerant of non-Christian religions we were.
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Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas Menagerie 🙂 !
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We’re enjoying our grandson’s first Xmas remotely, my son’s sending pix and video as he opens his presents.
I can remember when we had to dial ‘O’ for a long distance operator on our clunky bakelite desk phone to talk to relatives on Christmas, usually getting crappy reception. OK, reception’s still crappy but now you get instant transmission of pix and video, almost as good as being there.
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Blessed Christmas Stella and Stellars.
Thank you for sharing a piece of your Christmas season with the rest of us, and thank you Stella for the wonderful stories and Christmas carols. They make the Season so much more beautiful and special.
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Merry Christmas, jean2nd.
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Merry Christmas Jean 🙂 .
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