The First Christmas Day
On December 20, 1815, the Kings Mountain Herald newspaper in Kings Mountain, North Carolina published the following story from the New York Press about the first Christmas day. It is a reminder that Christmas isn’t about getting … or even giving … gifts, but celebrating the life of a man many consider their Savior.
It reads as follows:
The First Christmas Day
Told for the littlest children
Listen dear little children and you shall hear about the very first Christmas Day.
It was in a country across the sea, far away from here, that some shepherds were watching their flocks one night. The sheep were resting on the grass, the little lambs were fast asleep beside their mothers, but the kind shepherds were not asleep. They were watching that no harm should happen to the sheep.
Perhaps they were looking up at the stars and the beautiful moon above them when suddenly there appeared a wonderful light in the sky, brighter than the moon, or stars, as if the sky had opened and they saw the glory within.
While the shepherds were looking up, wondering what was the cause of that strange light, a beautiful shining angel came near to them and said:
‘Fear not. I bring you good tidings which shall be to all people. This day is born a Savior, and you shall find the babe lying in a manger.’
And suddenly the angel was joined by a multitude of the heavenly host singing praises to God. This was their song:
The Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
When the angels had gone back to heaven the shepherds said they would go to Bethlehem and see this Savior of whom the angels sang. They went and found him, a little baby in a stable, with no cradle to lie in, only a manger for his bed. That little baby was Jesus, who when he grew up said:
‘Let the little children come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ His birthday was the first Christmas Day, and ever since that time we kept that day as a joyful and happy one. – New York Press.
Merry Christmas!
