In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn….
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2)
Merry Christmas! 
Update (1:42 p.m.): I’m off until Tuesday or so of next week. While you wait, check out The Carnival of Christmas.
Bethlehem means “house of bread” and Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty…”
Comment by mj — 12.23.05 @ 8:38 am
So true. And comforting.
Comment by Norris McDonald — 12.23.05 @ 10:12 am
Daily Summary
NEWS: - Rumsfeld Says Troops in Iraq to Be Cut - President Bush Speaks on Budget Bill - Pro-Abortion Groups Stepping Up Campaign Against Samuel Alito - Bush May Find Allies in Court Nominees - Former Clinton Official Contradicts Leahy…
Trackback by Conservative Outpost — 12.23.05 @ 10:19 am
Merry Christmas! Thanks for all your hard work on this great blog. I look forward to a new year of outstanding posts!
Steve
Comment by Steve — 12.23.05 @ 11:35 am
Merry Christmas LaSawn.
Comment by Rancher — 12.23.05 @ 11:47 am
LaShawn! PIMF
Comment by Rancher — 12.23.05 @ 11:48 am
Merry Christmas LaShawn!
Grace and Peace-
Jess
Comment by Jessica Harvey — 12.23.05 @ 11:50 am
What the War on Christmas is Really All About
LaShawn Barber also has the Word for Christmas here.
Trackback by Tapscott's Copy Desk — 12.23.05 @ 12:05 pm
Nice, LaShawn!
Merry Christmas to you and all your readers.
May 2006 bring about a wider and deeper discussion on faith and the values that we personally espouse, along with vibrant and respectful discussions on the part those commonly-held values play in the public-square discussions of our democratic values.
Comment by Jude — 12.23.05 @ 12:58 pm
Have a Great Christmas LaShawn
Monika Brooks
Comment by Monika Brooks — 12.23.05 @ 1:25 pm
Happy Holy Day and Merry Christmas.
Comment by mcconnell — 12.23.05 @ 1:54 pm
Thank you, LaShawn.
Comment by Adam Graham — 12.23.05 @ 1:58 pm
Merry Christmas, La Shawn. God bless you and yours. Enjoy!
Comment by Alex Nunez — 12.23.05 @ 2:19 pm
LaShawn,
I just read the article A Sobering Truth.
Happy “birthday”!!! ((((Hugs))))
Susie
Comment by Susannah — 12.23.05 @ 2:21 pm
Merry Christmas to you, La Shawn and to everyone who visits your blog. Thanks for providing such great reading material. A close friend died and I haven’t been visiting as often as usual.
Comment by Evon — 12.23.05 @ 3:42 pm
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thank you for the blog, La Shawn. What are breath of fresh air you are.
Comment by Charlie Presley — 12.23.05 @ 4:55 pm
May all the readers of La Shawn’s blog have a wonderful Christmas!
I was listening to XM 106 on the way home tonight, and heard “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” done beautifully by a choral group. As an agnostic who hopes against hope that Christianity is the real deal, I was quite taken by the familiar lyrics, as if I had not heard them a thousand times before.
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.
Refrain
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessèd Babe was born,
And laid within a manger upon this blessèd morn;
The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn.
Refrain
From God our heavenly Father a blessèd angel came;
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.
Refrain
“Fear not, then,†said the angel, “Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might.â€
Refrain
The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl’em straightaway this blessèd Babe to find.
Refrain
But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray.
Refrain
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface.
Refrain
God bless the ruler of this house, and send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas may live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred that live both far and near—
That God send you a happy new year, happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.
Comment by RedBeard — 12.23.05 @ 7:46 pm
Merry Christmas, LaShawn.
Comment by Matt B. — 12.24.05 @ 12:57 am
Merry Christmas Sister!
Comment by Mark La Roi — 12.24.05 @ 10:33 am
Merry Christmas LaShawn and everyone here!
Thanks for those song lyrics, RedBeard. You needn’t hope against hope because Jesus is the embodiment of hope itself. He’s the real deal. Bless you always, and I pray that you’ll take His hand one day.
Comment by FL Mom — 12.24.05 @ 2:02 pm
[…] Postscript, Other Bloggers on Christmas (will be updated throughout Christmas day.) If you have written a blog post, or know of a good one, about Christmas and want to let others know about it, feel free to leave a comment here or email me at randy(dot)thomas(at)gmail(dot)com. :The Carnival of Christmas, La Shawn, DL, Natalies Christmas Trackback Party, Dawn, […]
Pingback by Everyday Thoughts Collected » Blog Archive » Merry Christmas — 12.25.05 @ 12:38 am
FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN
For unto Us a Child is born Unto Us a Son is given And the government shall be upon His shoulder And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace….
Trackback by Michelle Malkin — 12.25.05 @ 6:35 am
Merry Christmas, LaShawn!
Comment by lyle — 12.25.05 @ 7:52 am
Merry Christmas to all and LaShawn, a blessed day to you and all that touch our lives in ways we know not, but hope they live on. Please read the news story at this link, it tells of the very spirit of Christ….
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-marine-engagement,0,172976.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines
Comment by A.C. Taylor — 12.25.05 @ 11:39 am
Merry Christmas La Shawn! You are a blessing from God!
Comment by Hal — 12.25.05 @ 1:07 pm
Merry Christmas To The Blogosphere (OPEN THREAD)
I wish you all, my wonderful faithful readers, and all the Bloggers in the Blogosphere, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hannukah.
Trackback by All Things Beautiful — 12.25.05 @ 4:54 pm
All Things Beautiful TrackBack ‘Merry Christmas To The Blogosphere’
Comment by Alexandra — 12.25.05 @ 5:03 pm
Merry Christmas: 2005…
Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear’d and the soul felt it’s worth. A thrill of hope…
Trackback by Dizzy Girl — 12.25.05 @ 6:58 pm
Merry Christmas, La Shawn
Comment by RepJ — 12.26.05 @ 9:10 pm