Christmas is our most important holiday, and its literature is correspondingly rich. Yet until now no adequate bundle of Christmas treasures in poetry and prose has found its way onto the Internet for Winter, Christmas, the birth of Christ, Santa Claus, and so much more..First Christmas Eve
The first Christmas Eve according to the New Testament, and the centerpiece of Christian celebrations of Christmas.
Now it came about in a those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David,, which was called Bethlehem, because he was the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary who was engaged to him and was with child.
And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were some shepherds, staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an Angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them; and they were terribly frightened. And the Angel said to them.
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you news of great joy which shall be for all of the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior. Who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and laying in a manger.”
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying;
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased.”
And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they had made known the statement which had been told about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured up all theses things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising god for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when for their days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord as it is written in the Laws of the Lord, every first born male that opens the womb shall be called Holy to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord “A pair of turtledoves or a pair of two young pigeons.”
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devote, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, and he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,” Now Lord, Thou dost let thy bondservant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for my eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou has prepared in the presence of all people, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.
And his mother and father were amazed at the things that were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother “Behold, this Child is appointed for the rise and fall of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-and a sword will pierce even your own soul-to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna daughter Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband after seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of 84. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. And the child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
