The family is gathered, all the characters in place, waiting for the guest of honor to arrive. And as much as the children anticipate, the guest of honor is NOT Santa. The guest of Honor is the One about Whom the Angels sang. The One Whom the Wise Men came bearing gifts. The One for Whom the shepherds left their flocks to run and see. The guest of Honor is this tiny, helpless baby who shed the throne and all the raiment of heaven and is now lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Listen to Luke's familiar version.

Luke 2:1-7 (NRSV)
[1] In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.
[2] This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
[3] All went to their own towns to be registered.
[4] Joseph …