Elisabeth Elliot: "And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear."

Lisa Barry: That's probably the most familiar verse of the Bible, at least for holiday time. And we'll be hearing much more of that great portion of Scripture in just a minute. As you focus your thoughts toward the reality of Christ's birth, I think you'll find some inspiration and encouragement from today's broadcast. I hope you'll stay with us for the next 15 minutes as Elisabeth takes us all on a spiritual journey sure to warm your heart. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and a sugar cookie and join us for Gateway To Joy coming up next.

Elisabeth Elliot: "You are loved with an everlasting love." That's what the Bible says. "And underneath are the everlasting arms." This is your friend Elisabeth Elliot, talking with you about Christmas. And I want to read to you, first of all, a letter from a listener who said, "By accident two or three years ago I found your station right next to a rock and roll station that I listen to. I drive a truck in the area, and I listened out of pure skepticism, just to see what you con artists were up to. I believed in God, but not the way the various ministries explained about Him from the Bible. When I first heard Elisabeth Elliot, I thought this lady was living in a dream world far from reality. I didn't like her or many of the others that speak on other programs.

But I listened anyway. I thought you all were crazy. I was wrong. The world is crazy, and I can't deny the truth of God's Word that I hear. Now I try not to miss your program, and I learn and benefit from it."

So few people seem to remember nowadays what Christmas is for. The world, of course, would say, "Oh, well, yes, it's got something to do with religion." I think we might be shocked to find that there are a great many people who don't even know that much about it. But, of course, what I'm giving out on Gateway To Joy comes from the Bible. It's not merely Elisabeth Elliot's private and pet opinions. I always try to back up what I say with what God says and to point you to Him, certainly not to myself.

I want to read another one of my favorite Christmas passages. This one is Philippians 2:5-11. And think of this, now, as a Christmas passage: "Let Christ Jesus be your example as to what your attitude should be. For He, who had always been God by nature, did not cling to His prerogatives as God's equal, but stripped Himself of all privilege by consenting to be a slave by nature and being born as mortal man. And having become man, He humbled Himself by living a life of utter obedience, even to the extent of dying. And the death He died was the death of a common criminal. That is why God has now lifted Him so high and has given Him the name beyond all names, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, whether in heaven or earth or under the earth. And that is why in the end every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the Father."

That is why. What is why? What was that "why" that we're talking about? It was the fact that Christ Jesus, who had been God by nature, stripped Himself of all privilege, became a slave by nature and was born as a mortal man. Jesus Christ, born in a strange place--in a stable, in a cow's stall or manger--but born as every other human being is ever born: from a woman, born in pain and blood and sweat in what was probably a very cold, damp, smelly stable. Jesus Christ, God by nature.

The humiliation which Paul describes in this passage in Philippians 2 has been so beautifully expressed way back in the 17th century by Richard Crashaw. This is my absolute favorite Christmas poem, one of the great Christmas poems of the world. Think about this humiliation now as I read.

"That the Great Angel-blinding light should shrink

His blaze, to shine in a poor Shepherd's eye;

That the unmeasur'd God so low should sink

As Pris'ner in a few poor rags to lie;

That from His Mother's Breast He milk should drink,

Who feeds with Nectar Heaven's fair family;

That a vile Manger His low Bed should prove,

Who in a Throne of stars Thunders above;

That He whom the sun serves, should faintly peep

Through clouds of Infant Flesh! That He, the old

Eternal Word should be a Child, and weep;

That He who made the fire, should fear the cold;

That Heaven's high Majesty His Court should keep

In a clay cottage, by each blast control'd;

That Glory's self should serve our Griefs and fears,

And free Eternity submit to years,

Let our overwhelming wonder be."

I realize, of course, that this poem is written in 17^th century English and it's probably a bit difficult for some of you to understand, and for all of us it takes several readings. If you'd like a copy of this poem, you can call or write to Gateway To Joy and you will be sent a copy. This is Richard Crashaw's poem.

But just that phrase, "that the unmeasured God should sink so low as prisoner in a few poor rags to lie"--think of that. Almighty God, highest Lord of highest heaven, a helpless baby--Crashaw uses the word "prisoner." The baby is as helpless as a prisoner, isn't he? "In a few poor rags to lie." Lying there on the straw.

He who was God by nature became a slave by nature, stripped Himself of privilege and was born as a mortal man. "And having become man, He humbled Himself by living a life of utter obedience, even to the extent of dying." And that paragraph begins, remember, with these words: "Let Christ Jesus be your example as to what your attitude should be."

Can we seek the help of the Holy Spirit to make us humble as Jesus Christ was humble? I've read a couple of passages that are used in the church where I go in the Christmas service called "Lessons and Carols." And the seventh lesson is from Luke 2. I'm going to read it from a different version than the one I read the other day.

"And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, 'Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy, which will come to all the people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, 'Let's go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger."

Isn't it interesting that God would choose to reveal this great news by the mouth of angels to humble shepherds? Just ordinary, undoubtedly rough, common men, sitting out there in the cold fields around Bethlehem, watching their flocks. Suddenly here's this glorious revelation from heaven. And they recognized that it was from heaven. It wasn't just a dream. It wasn't any human voice that was speaking to them, as they said, "We want to see this thing that the Lord has made known to us."

And then the next lesson is about the wise men. "When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men came from the East to Jerusalem." It would be nice to know who they were and where they came from, but we're just told they were wise and they came from the East.

"And they said, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.' When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: "And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for from you shall come a Ruler who will govern My people Israel."'

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, 'Go and search diligently for the Child, and when you have found Him, bring me word that I, too, may come and worship Him.'

When they had heard the king, they went their way. And lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them till it came to rest over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, His mother. And they fell down and worshiped Him. And opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts--gold and frankincense and myrrh."

Lisa Barry: There's something so powerful about reading the biblical account of Christmas that it makes me wish everyone could have that excitement and a personal relationship with Jesus. For some, they're investigating Christianity, learning what it's all about. Others are farther away.

But if you'd like an opportunity to spur your loved one's thinking on spiritual things, then call for information on the gift packets we've put together for Christmas. There's something for everyone, so give us a call to find out more.

Our phone number is 1-800-759-4JOY. That's 1-800-759-4569. Or write to Gateway To Joy, Box 82500, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68501. Our Internet ministry address is gatewaytojoy.org. Gateway To Joy has been a production of Back to the Bible.

Be with us again on Monday when Elisabeth begins a series featuring some delightful and inspiring Christmas stories. That's right here on Gateway To Joy.