The Christmas of 1994 found several of the members of the Ralston Baptist Church depicting the first Christmas at the farm of Charles and Nancy Wills. The still photos were shown as slides for the church's Christmas program that year. Little did our church know Diana Widener, a much-loved teen in our church, was celebrating the last Christmas with us on earth. Her life was taken in a car accident in May of 1995. It is a blessing we have these last Christmas memories with her to cherish.
An explosion of the brilliance of God’s glory illuminated the quiet night sky of the fields of Bethlehem. The obedient, vigilant shepherds were awe-struck with fear at the sight of a mighty angel of the Lord towering before them.
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| Krystal Engle as the angel appearing to the shepherds, Gregg Engle, Rick Rice, and Lee Hock |
Quickly,
the assuring voice of the heavenly messenger calmed the startled herders of the
flock of sheep. The carefully crafted announcement from the heart of God
exceeded any royal birth proclamation posted here on the earth. Those powerful
words transcended time, echoing hope, joy, and truth to hearts in the 21st
century:
For
unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord.
And
this will be a sign unto you; You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:11
Suddenly a resonance of holy acclamation filled the air. “An army of the troops of heaven” joined the announcing angel praising God as these words echoed throughout the fields where the sheep lay.
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| Beautiful Angels - Diana Widener, Lisa Wills, Barbara Rice, and Judy Lowe with Krystal Engle behind them. |
Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace toward men of goodwill. Luke 2:14
Upon the departure of the angels for heaven, the startled, but faith-filled shepherds could not wait. They insisted on rushing into Bethlehem that very night to see what the Lord had revealed to them. There was never a question if this miraculous birth of the Christ or long-promised Messiah had occurred. They simply hurried to find the Baby King.
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| The Shepherds Worshiping the Newborn King -Lee Hock, Gregg Engle, Lauralea and Randy Corley, and Rick Rice |
The shepherds’ new mission became sharing the good news of the birth of the Savior with everyone they encountered. In turn, all who heard the shepherds’ news were amazed, except Mary. Mary, the mother of this tiny God-King, chronicled and pondered in her heart all the events surrounding her extraordinary baby.
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| Gregg Engle, Lee Hock, and Rick Rice as shepherds tell of the newborn Savior and King to those they met portrayed by Diana Widener and Barbara Rice. |
The shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke
2:20
Dear
Father, as we enter this week prior to Christmas, may we like the shepherds respond
with awe at the heavenly announcement, with glorious and unashamed praise of
this infant king, the Savior, and Lord. In the pattern of the shepherds, give
us boldness to make known to all we encounter the wonderful news of God coming
to humans. Finally, Father, look on our hearts and see we cannot help but
glorify You. Accept our wholehearted gratitude for the unfathomable gift of
Your Son, Jesus.
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