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At the Christmas season, a lot of emphasis is given to a lot of things other than the One the season is all about—JESUS! In the next two messages we hope to tell His story! It all started like this:

“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments…of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because…Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God…he went into the temple of the Lord…And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord… And when Zacharias saw him…fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, ‘Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John…For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord…and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God…’ And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived…

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail…highly favored [one], the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying…And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David…and of His kingdom there shall be no end.’ Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’ And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elizabeth…hath also conceived a son in her old age…For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her.

“And Mary arose in those days…with haste…And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she spoke out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For…His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts…’ And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

“Now Elizabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying…‘And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to…give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’”

(Luke 1:5-76; selected parts, emphasis added)

He still does!

Think about it. Because if you don’t, someone else will do your thinking for you—And for your children! And you won’t like what that brings to you. I’m Don Pinson; this has been Think About It.