When King Herod realized the wise men were not coming back, he sent soldiers to Bethlehem to kill all the male children two years old and younger. Thank God, Joseph was warned in a dream, and he escaped with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. When Herol was dead, Joseph got a message that it was safe to return. 

In the book of Matthew chapter 2, we hear about the wise men who came looking for the baby Jesus. They had been studying the stars and the stars had led them to Jerusalem. They asked, "Where is he? Where is he who is born King of the Jews?" The Bible scholars told King Herod that the birthplace was Bethlehem, so he sent the wise men to look for him there. When they found him, they gave him precious treasures. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod. 

In Luke 2, we read how the angel came and announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds who were near Bethlehem. They hurried to find the baby. When they found him, they told Mary and Joseph what the angels had said about Jesus. The shepherds were amazed. What the angels said happened! 

A poem for Christmas Eve written by Deep and Wide podcaster, Joy Thomas

In Luke chapter 2, we hear the story of how Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. There was no room available, but they found shelter in a stable. Mary gave birth to Jesus there. She swaddled him up, and laid him in a manger. 

People aren't very good at keeping rules. If they think they have to keep rules to be close to God, they might even give up trying. God made new promises to his people. He promised he would give them a new heart, a new spirit. And he would forgive all their sins. He promised a king, one born in Bethlehem that would lead his people like a good shepherd into a new kingdom. 

When Elizabeth had her baby, people asked her what his name would be. She answered that his name would be John, even though no one else in her family had that name. So, they asked Zechariah, because he might want the baby named after him. He wrote on a tablet that the baby's name was John! And that's when he was able to talk again. He knew this was no ordinary baby. He spoke through the power of the Holy Spirit, and said that John was going to prepare the way for the Savior to come. 

When Mary heard that Elizabeth was going to have a baby, she hurried to their little village for a visit. Elizabeth's baby was growing inside her. He was already full of the Holy Spirit! When he heard Mary's voice, he jumped for joy. Mary was so inspired, she spoke what sounded like a song, saying how wonderful God is. She knew that she was going to be famous. Even today, we remember who she is. 

In Luke chapter 1, an angel goes to visit Mary. He tells her she will be a mother, and the baby will be named Jesus. Mary asks how that will happen, because there is no father. The angel tells her, that the Holy Spirit will plant the baby inside her, so that Jesus will be called the Son of God. Mary is happy to do what God wants. But what will Joseph say? She is going to marry Joseph soon. Will Joseph want the baby if he is not the father?

In the days before Jesus was born, a priest named Zachariah was serving in the temple. An angel of the Lord appeared to him! He told him that Zachariah and Elizabeth were going to have a baby boy. God had special plans for this child. When Zachariah couldn't believe it, the angel, Gabriel, made it so Zachariah wouldn't be able to speak. But Elizabeth could speak, and she knew that God had done a miracle for her.