MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Luke 2

Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem

   1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

   2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

   3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

   4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

   5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

   6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

   7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

   8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

   9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

   10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

   11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

   12"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

   13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
      14"Glory to God in the highest,
         And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

   15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, 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."

   16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

   17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

   18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

   19But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

   20The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

On behalf of all of us at SpartanNation.com we wish you a very Merry Christmas. Now if you watch us or read us we do not hide, nor are we embarrassed to say Merry Christmas. That greeting is synonymous of what this time means to many of us. 

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We do not however think any less of, nor question anyone who excludes Christ. This time means many different things to many different people and we think that is fine. We just don’t ever want to lose what it means to us and we vehemently defend others right to celebrate it as they choose as we defend our right!

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We ask that no matter if this is a completely secular time, or it is one that has a religious significance that you remember our brave troops and their families. They are heroes. They are the embodiment of what sacrificial giving is all about.

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So for all of you that have helped us have great year, we thank you for reading and watching and we wish you a Merry Christmas and we give out a huge thank you to all of our troops and their families all over the world.

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If your family, like mine, lost loved ones this year I wish you my best. If this year was a difficult year or a great year I pray for a prosperous and happy 2008!

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God bless you all, and God Bless America!