Photo: Back row, left to right, Dave Stucke, John Srstka, Rev. Joel Winckler, Jim Ducker, Dana Bassett, Keith Shew, JoAnn Early. Third row, left to right, Kelsey Morgan, Beata Ferris, Anne Osborne, Rev. Dan Bader. Second row, left to right, Doreen Gosmire, Rev. Kris Mutzenberger, Anna Mutzenberger, Rev. Rebeecca Trefz, Bea Stucke, Al Roll. Front row, left to right, Susan Punt, Camille Zachrison, Bishop Lanette Plambeck, Rev. Jeanne Sortland, Leana Stunes, Kathy Roll. In celebration of the birth of the Christ child the Dakotas Conference office will be closed Dec. 22 through January1, 2024.

Merry Christmas from the Dakotas Conference!

In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists.  This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.

Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child.  Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.  Luke 2:1-20, CEB