AASH President 1957-1959
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On behalf of the 2011-2013 AASH Board of Directors we wish all a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!
The Story of Christmas ~ From Luke 2: 1-20
And it came
to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that
all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius
was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone 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. And
the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that
they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Artwork /Photo credit: Hildreth Meière, Nativity,
1946, exterior terracotta relief, St. Mary's High School, Manhasset, New York. Photograph by Hildreth Meière Dunn © 2009