Read Luke 2:8-20

SHEPHERDS VISIT JESUS
God continued to reveal His Son, but not to those we might not expect. Luke records that Jesus’ birth was announced to the shepherds in the fields. These may have been the shepherds who supplied the lambs for the Temple sacrifices that were performed for the forgiveness of sin. The angels invited the shepherds to greet the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the whole world forever.
The greatest event in history had just happened! The Messiah had been born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds. The good news about Jesus is that He comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary. He comes to anyone who has a heart humble enough to accept Him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Don’t think you need extraordinary qualifications. He accepts you as you are.
Some of the Jews were waiting for a Savior to deliver them from Roman rule; others hoped the Messiah would deliver them from physical ailments. But Jesus, while healing their illnesses and establishing a spiritual kingdom, delivered them from sin. His work is more far reaching than anyone could imagine. Christ paid the price for sin and opened the way for peace with God. He offers us more than temporary political or physical changes. He offers us new hearts that will last for eternity.
What a birth announcement. The shepherds were terrified, but their fear turned into joy as the angels announced the Messiah’s birth. First, the shepherds ran to see the baby; then they spread the word. Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior. Do you look forward to meeting Him in prayer and in His Word each day? Have you discovered a Savior so wonderful that you can’t help sharing your joy with your friends?

Read Luke 2:1-7

JESUS IS BORN IN BETHLEHEM
A Roman census was taken to aid military conscription or tax collection. The Jews didn’t have to serve in the Roman army, but they could not avoid paying taxes. Augustus’ decree went out in God’s perfect timing and according to God’s perfect plan to bring His Son into the world.
Luke is the only Gospel writer who related the events he recorded to world history. His account was addressed to a predominately Greek audience that would have been interested in and familiar with the political situation. Palestine was under the rule of the Roman Empire; Emperor Caesar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, was in charge. The Roman rulers, considered to be gods, stood in contrast to the tiny baby in a manger who was truly God in the flesh.
God controls all history. By the decree of Emperor Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for his birth, even though his parents did not live there.
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of King David. The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would be born in David’s royal line.
The government forced Joseph to make a long trip just to pay his taxes. Mary, who had to go with him, was going to have a baby at any moment. But when they arrived in Bethlehem, they couldn’t find a place to stay. When we do God’s will, we are not guaranteed a comfortable life. But we are promised everything, even our discomfort, has meaning in God’s plan.
Strips of cloth were used to keep a baby warm and give him a sense of security. These cloths were believed to protect his internal organs. The custom of wrapping infants this way is still practiced in some middle eastern countries.
The manger is the basis for the traditional belief that Jesus was born in a stable. Stables were often caves with feeding troughs (mangers) carved into the rock walls. Despite popular Christmas card pictures, the surroundings were dark and dirty. This was not the atmosphere the Jews expected as the birthplace of the Messiah-King. They thought their promised Messiah would be born in royal surroundings. We should not limit God by our expectations. He is at work wherever He is needed in our sin darkened and dirty world.
Although our first picture of Jesus is as a baby in a manger, it must not be our last. The Christ child in the manger has been the subject of a beautiful Christmas scene, but we cannot leave him there. This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for us, ascended to heaven, and will come back to this earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. Christ will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about Him. Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger, or is He your Lord and Savior? Make sure you don’t underestimate Jesus. Let Him grow up in your life.

Read Luke 1:67 – 80

ZECHARIAH’S PROPHECY
The Jews were eagerly waiting for the Messiah, but they thought He would come to save them from the powerful Roman Empire. They were ready for a military savior, but not for a peaceful Messiah to conquer sin.
Zechariah had just recalled hundreds of years of God’s sovereign work in history, beginning with Abraham and going on into eternity. Then, in tender contrast, he personalized the story. His son had been chosen for a key role in the drama of the ages. Although God has unlimited power, He chooses to work through frail humans who begin as helpless babies. Don’t minimize what God can do through those who are faithful to Him.
Zechariah praised God with his first words after months of silence. In a song that is often called the Benedictus, after the first words in the Latin translation of this passage, Zechariah prophesied the coming of the Savior who would redeem His people, and he predicted that his son, John, would prepare the Messiah’s way. All the Old Testament prophesies were coming true. No wonder Zechariah praised God. The Messiah would come in Zechariah’s lifetime, and his son had been chosen to pave the way.
Why did John live out in the wilderness? Prophets used the isolation of the wilderness to enhance their spiritual growth and to focus their message on God. By being in the wilderness, John remained separate from the economic and political powers so that he could aim his message against them. He also remained separate from the hypocritical religious leaders of his day. His message was different from theirs, and his life proved it.

Read Luke 1:57 – 66

THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
The circumcision ceremony was an important event to the family of a Jewish baby boy. God commanded circumcision when He was forming His holy nation and He reaffirmed it through Moses. This ceremony was a time of joy when friends and family members celebrated the baby’s becoming part of God’s covenant nation.
Family lines and family names were important to the Jews. The people naturally assumed the child would receive Zechariah’s name. Thus, they were surprised that both Elizabeth and Zechariah wanted to name the baby John. This was the name the angel gave them.

Day 5: Read Luke 1:46-56

THE MAGNIFICAT: MARY’S SONG OF PRAISE
This song is often called the Magnificat, the first word in the Latin translation of this passage. Mary’s song has often been used as the basis for choral music and hymns. Mary glorified God in song for what He was going to do for the world through her. In her song, God is pictured as a champion of the poor, the oppressed, and the despised.
When Mary said, “And now generation after generation will call me blessed,” was she being proud? No, she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her. If Mary had denied her incredible position, she would have been throwing God’s blessing back to Him. Pride is refusing to accept God’s gifts or taking credit for what God has done; humility is accepting the gifts and using them to praise and serve God. Don’t deny, belittle, or ignore your gifts. Thank God for them and use them for His glory.