Scenes from a Cornerstone Christmas Program

Just in case you haven't had enough Christmas spirit in your life these days, this should do the trick.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed who was with child.

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to a son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in that 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 people. For unto you is born today in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." . . . And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." 

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

The people k who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of l deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
 3 m You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with n joy at the harvest,
as they o are glad p when they divide the spoil.
 4 q For the yoke of his burden,
r and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as s on the day of Midian.
 5 t For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.

 6 u For to us a child is born,
to us v a son is given;
w and the government shall be x upon [4] his shoulder,
and his name shall be called [5]
Wonderful y Counselor, z Mighty God,
a Everlasting b Father, Prince of c Peace.
 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
d there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
e with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
f The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.