Ruth Bell Graham - A Quiet Knowing Christmas

RUTH BELL GRAHAM

A QUIET KNOWING

CHRISTMAS

A Joyful Celebrations of the Season

Copyright @ 2002 Ruth Bell Graham

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotation in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published by W Publishing Group, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc.
P. O. Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee 37214.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from
The King James Version of the Bible.

Other Scripture references are from the following sources:
The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Coyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

The New King James (NKJV). Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Graham, Ruth Bell.
A quiet knowing Christmas / by Ruth Bell Graham.
p. cm.
ISBN 0-8499-1762-X (hardcover)
1. Christmas. I. Title.
GT4985 .G714 2002
263'.915dc21

2002012897

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

When you think of Christmas, what first comes to mind? A beautifully decorated tree, tasty foods, brightly wrapped gifts, music, candles, family gatherings, shopping, filling stockings, perhaps sitting on Santas knee, the manger?

For me, at my age, it is mostly memories of all the above. Happy, fun-filled memories. Some of my memories include the reading of Christmas stories. Reading has played a major role in my life from the time I was a small girl living in China. Each evening, we all gathered in the living room, and while the women did hand work, the men took turns reading out loud to us. One of my most cherished Christmas memories is listening to Daddy read Why the Chimes Rang.

Christmas is a special time of year, but so much of its specialness is lost in the hustle and bustle of the seasons. I put this book together to encourage families to spend time together reading, preparing a tasty Christmas treat, or perhaps making a Christmas craft. As we began to select the stories that would be included, I wanted some of my old favorites, but I began to discover stories that are destined to become new favorites. I trust that you and your family will enjoy them as much we do.

Have a very Merry Christmas

RUTH BELL GRAHAM
LITTLE PINEY COVE, NORTH CAROLINA
SUMMER 2002

A nd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.... 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 Judaea, 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.

N ow when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Y ears ago, I read the following in The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah by Alfred Edersheim:

Jewish tradition may here prove both illustrative and helpful. That the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem was a settled conviction. Equally so was the belief, that He was to be revealed from Migdal Eder, the tower of the flock. This Migdal Eder was not the watch-tower for the ordinary flocks which pastured on the barren sheep-ground beyond Bethlehem, but lay close to the town, on the road to Jerusalem. A passage in the