May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. Romans 15:13

As you savor a candy cane this Christmas, say “danke sch?n” to the Germans, for that confectionary treat was first created in Cologne. As you admire your poinsettia, say “gracias” to Mexico, where the plant originated. Say “merci beaucoup” to the French for the term noel, and give a “cheers” to the English for your mistletoe.

在这个圣诞节，当你品尝拐杖糖的时候，别忘了感谢德国人，因为这个习俗最早起源于德国科隆；漂亮的圣诞应景盆栽圣诞红原产于墨西哥；法国人在教堂圣乐中迎接圣诞节的到来；英国人挂起槲寄生花圈，增添浓郁的圣诞节气息。

But as we enjoy our traditions and festivities of the Christmas season—customs that have been collected from around the world—let’s save our most sincere and heartfelt “thank you” for our good, merciful, and loving God. From Him came the reason for our Christmas celebration: the baby born in that Judean manger more than 2,000 years ago. An angel announced the arrival of this gift to mankind by saying, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy . . . a Savior has been born to you” (Luke 2:10–11).

欢度圣诞节俨然成为世界各地的习俗惯例，然而当我们沉浸在节庆的欢乐氛围时，别忘了向良善、宽容又慈爱的上帝献上最诚挚的感谢，是祂让圣诞欢庆有了真正的意义：二千多年前，一名婴孩降生在犹大地的马槽中，天使宣告这是上帝给人类最珍贵的礼物：“我报给你们大喜的信息，……为你们生了救主，就是主基督。”（路加福音2章10-11节）

This Christmas, even in the light of the sparkling Christmas tree and surrounded by newly opened presents, the true excitement comes when we turn our attention to the baby named Jesus, who came to “save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). His birth transcends tradition: It is our central focus as we send praises to God for this indescribable Christmas gift.

Luke 2:1-10New International Version (NIV)

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

INSIGHT

The angel Gabriel told Mary, “Jesus will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:32–33). The angel who appeared to Joseph said, “What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. . . . You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:20–21). Mary and Joseph knew Jesus would be the Messiah, and as faithful Jews they would have known the Messiah was to come from Bethlehem, David’s hometown. Perhaps when Joseph was ordered to Bethlehem for the census he thought, So that’s how God is going to get us to Bethlehem!

How does reflecting on the miraculous events that led to the birth of Jesus fill you with renewed awe and wonder?

灵粮透视

天使加百列告诉马利亚，耶稣要被“称为至高者的儿子，主上帝要把祂祖大卫的位给祂”（路加福音1章32节）。向约瑟显现的天使说：“[马利亚]所怀的孕是从圣灵来的。……你要给祂起名叫耶稣，因祂要将自己的百姓从罪恶里救出来”（马太福音1章20-21节）。马利亚和约瑟知道耶稣就是弥赛亚，而他们既是敬畏上帝的犹太人，自然知道弥赛亚将会出自大卫的故乡——伯利恒。当约瑟遵守凯撒的命令前往伯利恒报名上册时，或许他会这么想：原来上帝是以这样的方式带领我们去伯利恒!

当你思想与耶稣诞生有关的神迹奇事，如何让你再次充满敬畏和赞叹呢？