Christmas Story Read Aloud
- Debbie Christopher
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
By: Debbie Christopher ~~Our Grow Group (Sunday School class) hosts a monthly service at a local Assisted Living facility in our area. One of our—and their—most loved services is the Christmas Candlelight service held each December. One of my favorite parts of the service is having the privilege to read aloud the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2.
When I taught elementary school, each year I had my first graders memorize Luke 2:7-14. I would narrate by reading verses 1-6 and 16-20. We , then, presented our memory project as a class during the Christmas chapel each year.
I share this tidbit, because as a result of many years of leading this special project, that passage remains fresh in my mind, and I am able to look up at the sweet residents as I share my annual reading. What a blessing to see so many of them move their mouths along with me as I read and quote with appropriate inflection and facial expressions.
Yes, this passage is dear and familiar to many…and it never grows old.
So, I encourage you to take some alone time and read Luke 2:1-20 aloud to yourself and imagine the anxiousness, fear, joy, and peace of that special evening so many years ago… as the Saviour, Christ the Lord was born in quiet, tiny Bethlehem…when suddenly, the angels sang out, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth, peace, goodwill towards men’.
Note: I have copied it here from the KJV as that is the most familiar for the Christmas story.
I read it from the KJV as well, because that is how I memorized it—and there is confusion when my eyes and my brain don’t match up!
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar 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 Judæa, 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.”
Luke 2:1-20 KJV
Merry Christmas!
~Debbie (and Sharon)