Luke's Christmas Narratives

Since my last post, I have published three new books, a devotional from the Old Testament Book of Numbers, a sermon collection, and a devotional from the Gospel of Luke. Kindle and paperback versions of my books can be purchased at Amazon.

I am sharing a preview the Christmas narratives of Luke 2 from my new book this month:

Luke 2

Luke 2:1 Those are the days when it happened: a royal command came from Caesar Augustus to register all the world[1] for taxation.

Luke 2:2 This registration first happened by order of Quirinius before he was governor of Syria.

Luke 2:3 And everyone came to be registered, each one to his own city of origin.

Luke 2:4 That is why Joseph also traveled from the Galilean city of Nazareth to the Judean city of David which was called Bethlehem, because he descended from the family and clan of David,

why Joseph went

God moved the emperor's mind to make a royal command, and that was why Joseph went to Bethlehem. God sent an angel, God moved a prophet to predict it, and God enabled Joseph and Mary to travel. Many circumstances conspired to bring that young couple to Bethlehem so that Mary could give birth to Jesus at that place on that day.

As we look back on our lives, we can also see the hand of God at work in the commands of men and the coincidences of life. He is sovereign and active.

LORD, thank you for sending us and supporting us wherever we go, as you wish.

Luke 2:5 He was to be registered there, along with Mary, who had been legally promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant.

Luke 2:6 And while they were there, the days of her pregnancy ended, and it was time for her to give birth.

Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

disconnected

Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem because Joseph’s family was connected to the town. Yet, the irony is that they moved from a place where they were connected to a place where they were really not. Neither of them would have chosen a manger to place their son. But they were forced to be refugees because of some political choice that was made for them.

Today, people all around the world are being forced to escape their situations and seek a new home elsewhere. But for some, this is God’s way of reaching them with the gospel.

LORD, open our eyes to those who have moved into our towns and are disconnected from their past lives. Help us befriend them and help them connect.

Luke 2:8 And shepherds were living in the same region, staying outside and keeping watch, protecting their flock at night.

Luke 2:9 And an agent from the Lord stood near them, and the impressive appearance of the Lord blazed around them, and they reacted with tremendous fear.

God’s proof for you

The angel of the Lord lit up the sky with God's impressive appearance (glory). His presence instilled fear in everyone who saw him. He even had to calm people down when they saw him, or they would not be able to listen to the good news he was proclaiming. But he was not proof that the gospel was true. 

The sky army of angels also lit up the sky with God’s glory and thundered praise to wake the sleeping sheep and overwhelm the shepherds with their majestic chorus. But the sky army was not proof that the gospel was true.

God’s proof came as an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough. It came as a preacher, teaching love and loyalty and demonstrating both. It came as a sacrifice, dying on a cross he didn’t deserve and demonstrating grace we didn’t deserve. It came as a resurrected, glorified king, promising to return to raise those who believe him. Jesus is the proof that the gospel is true.

LORD, we accept the proof of your promise — your only Son and our Savior.

Luke 2:10 And the agent said to them, "Do not be afraid, because notice, I am bringing good news to you of tremendous joy -- intended for all the people:

Luke 2:11 because today, in the city of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:12 And this will be the proof for you: you will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger."

Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the agent a multitude of the sky[2] army, praising God and saying,

Luke 2:14 "God in the highest place gets the praise, and peace has come to the land[3] for the people he is pleased with."

a birth announcement

The angel’s announcement to the shepherds about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is the first time Luke calls Jesus Christ.  This is significant because the title links two themes in Luke’s Gospel: the life of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit.

The angels called Jesus Lord because he was God in the flesh, master of all.

The angels called Jesus Savior because he came to rescue the lost.

The angels called Jesus Christ  (Anointed) because he was set apart by the Holy Spirit, chosen by the Father for the work of deliverance and the authority of leadership.

The Holy Spirit used the decree of a pagan ruler, a host of angels, and a group of excited shepherds to announce to the world that something extraordinary happened in Bethlehem that holy night.

LORD, may your Holy Spirit use us to announce to the world that Christ has come and will come again.

Luke 2:15 And it happened that when the agents had gone away from them into the sky,[4] the shepherds started saying to one another, "Let us pass through Bethlehem now, so we can see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us!"

Luke 2:16 And they went quickly and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

Luke 2:17 And after seeing them, they made known the statement that had been told to them about this child.

so we can see

Notice the sequence of events that Luke relates. First, the angel reveals the good news that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Next, the shepherds agree to go to Bethlehem and personally experience this incarnation. They wanted to go to Bethlehem so they could see him themselves. Then, after seeing for themselves, they spread the word to others.

Luke wrote his Gospel so that his friend Theophilus would know for sure the things that they both believed — things about Jesus. The shepherds believed the angel, but they still wanted to go to Bethlehem to see for themselves. Then, they became evangelists, passing the word revealed along to others.

Have you believed the words that you read? Seek Jesus yourself. He’s not an infant in Bethlehem anymore. He is the Lord in heaven, but if you seek him, you will find him. But a word of warning: finding Jesus for yourself will change you. The words about Jesus will no longer just be a message in a book. It will be good news that you must pass on to others.

LORD, we believe. Solidify our faith with a personal experience of your presence, and send us to tell others.

Luke 2:18 And everyone who heard it was stunned at what had been said to them by the shepherds.

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these words, contemplating them in her heart.

Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen. It was just like it had been told to them.

reacting to a Christmas miracle

This text describes three different reactions to what took place in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. It was not precisely Jesus’ birth that was miraculous. As far as we know, his birth itself was normal. It was who he was that made the Christmas story miraculous. Mary took the shepherds’ words as a further blessing and contemplated them in her heart. The shepherds took the visible presence of Christ as proof of the integrity of their angelic prophecy and praised God for it. The people that the shepherds told were just stunned because nothing like this had ever happened to them.

This year, you may have a typical Christmas. You may not get a miracle. But you do have a chance to reflect on the miracle of Jesus' incarnation when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. How will you react to that?

LORD, thank you for becoming one of us so that you could rescue us.

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were completed , he was circumcised, and was named Jesus, what the agent had called him before he was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:22 And when the days of their purification were completed according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present to the Lord

Luke 2:23 just like what is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb will be called devoted to the Lord"

Luke 2:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was communicated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

dedicating new life

Every firstborn male born of an Israelite was holy to the Lord and thus a priest. Even though the Levites were chosen to officiate at the Tabernacle/Temple, this reality was still celebrated by the offerings that Mary and Joseph participated in. It was a way of celebrating new life and showing that the new life was dedicated to God and his word.

LORD, thank you for our children. We dedicate them all to you.

Luke 2:25 And notice, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this righteous and devout man was looking forward to the encouragement of Israel, and the Sacred Breath was upon him.

Luke 2:26 And it had been revealed to him by the Sacred Breath that he was not going to see death before he would see the Lord's Christ.

Luke 2:27 And he came by the Breath into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus so that they could do for him according to what was traditional under the law,

Luke 2:28 he cradled him in his arms and praised God and said,

Luke 2:29 "Now dismiss your slave[5] in peace, Lord, according to your word.

Luke 2:30 Because my eyes have seen your salvation

Luke 2:31 that you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples,

Luke 2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel."

revelation and glory

Light can do two things. It can illuminate all the objects it shines upon and dazzle the watcher with its splendor. Simeon understood that Christ would do both things as God’s light. He would be a light for revelation, revealing God’s love to the Gentiles. He would also show the glory of God among his own people by living according to the law so that he could rescue them by grace.

LORD, thank you for your love and your salvation.

Luke 2:33 And his father and mother were stunned at what was said about him.

Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "Notice, this one laid here will cause either the fall or the resurrection of many in Israel, and his presence is a sign that is being argued against –

Luke 2:35 and a sword will pierce your own throat also, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed!"

a sign being argued against

Simeon’s prophecy revealed the other side of the angel’s proclamation. Christ will bring joy to the world, but he will also bring schism and a sword. His presence is a sign from God that will reveal the thoughts of many hearts—whether they are truly devoted to the LORD or not.

For generations, our societies have been happy to accept the joy of Christmas but unwilling to commit themselves to the revelation behind it. The sign of Christ is being argued against again. Whose side are we on?

LORD, give us the courage to commit to Christ, regardless of who we might have to oppose.

Luke 2:36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was well matured with many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,

Luke 2:37 and herself eighty-four years as a widow) who did not leave from the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

Luke 2:38 And at the same hour she approached them. She began to give thanks to God, and to speak about him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Anna’s day

Some details about Anna might have caused those around her to disregard her: her age, her gender, her title (prophetess), her tribe (Asher, not Levi), and her status as a dependent widow. But the LORD did not disregard her. She was valuable to him, and her ministry was important to him.

If you struggle with doubts about yourself and your ministry, don’t. God has a purpose for you. If you cannot see it, maybe it is because your day has not come yet. Be patient. Anna had her day, and yours will come. Keep serving him as best you can, and trust his timing.

LORD, give us the patience of the prophetess.

Luke 2:39 And when they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

Luke 2:40 And the child continued growing and becoming strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

Luke 2:41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.

whole health

Many physicians today are learning what Dr. Luke knew. Luke described Jesus’ childhood as a process of consistent holistic growth. While he was becoming strong physically, his mental and psychological health was also advancing. His relationship with God was also advancing since God's favour was upon him. It would do us all good to use Dr. Luke’s grid as a pattern for evaluating our own health. Body, mind, and spirit—they all matter to God; they should each matter to us.

LORD, make us healthy and robust in every way that matters.

Luke 2:42 And when he was twelve years of age, they went up according to the custom of the feast.

Luke 2:43 And after the days were completed, while they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And his parents had not discovered it.

Luke 2:44 since they believed him to be in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey on. Then they began searching for him among the relatives and acquaintances,

Luke 2:45 and after not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.

Luke 2:46 And after three days this happened: they found him in the temple area, sitting in the middle of the teachers and listening to them and asking them things.

Luke 2:47 And everyone who heard him was amazed at the insight reflected in his answers.

finding Jesus among the teachers

They were people who had spent their entire lives studying and reflecting on the truths of God’s word, and Jesus respected that. He spent his time among them, asking questions, listening to the answers, and responding to their questions. When his parents looked for him, they did not expect to find him there doing that.

Today’s society does not seem to expect to find him there either. They look for Jesus in an experience, or an activity, or a symbol — anything but a doctrine! So, many of us spend a long time looking for Jesus, like his parents did. If you dare, you can take a shortcut to finding Jesus. Just pick up your Bible and start reading. Go to church and listen to the teachers expound on the gospel. He is there. We have to look in the right place.

LORD, give us the courage to seek Jesus among the teachers of the gospel.

Luke 2:48 And when they saw him, they were stunned and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have been searching for you anxiously!"

Luke 2:49 But he said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that it was necessary for me to be doing the things of my Father?"

Luke 2:50 And they did not understand the statement that he spoke to them.

Luke 2:51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was submitting to them. And his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and people.

when our commitments clash

Joseph and Mary had lost track of Jesus and only found him after days of searching. They found him in the temple courts, conversing with the Bible teachers about God's things. The whole story speaks to the subject of balancing commitments to God with our obligations toward others. Luke points this out by saying that after this incident, Jesus rejoined his parents in Nazareth and continued to submit to them and that he continued to advance in wisdom and stature, in favor with both God and the people. He had found the balance that allowed him to function appropriately in both realms.

We need to find the same balance, staying true to our relationship with God and staying responsible and faithful in our human relationships as well. At times, these commitments will clash, and when so, we must remain loyal to God. But usually, our good standing with God will result in peace toward others.

LORD, as far as possible, keep us advancing in our relationships with others as well as yourself.

[1] οἰκουμένη = world (the inhabited earth). Luke 2:1; 4:5; 21:26.

[2] οὐράνιος = sky (as an adjective).

[3] γῆ = land. Luke 2:14; 4:25; 5:3, 11, 24; 6:49; 8:8, 15, 27; 10:21; 11:31; 12:49, 51, 56; 13:7; 14:35; 16:17; 18:8; 21:23, 25, 33, 35; 22:44; 23:44; 24:5.

[4] οὐρανός = sky. Luke 2:15; 3:21, 22; 4:25; 6:23; 8:5; 9:16, 54, 58; 10:15, 18, 20, 21; 11:13, 16; 12:33, 56; 13:19; 15:7, 18, 21; 16:17; 17:24, 29; 18:13, 22; 19:38; 20:4, 5; 21:11, 26, 33; 22:43; 24:51.

[5] δοῦλος = slave. Luke 2:29; 7:2, 3, 8, 10; 12:37, 43, 45, 46, 47; 14:17, 21, 22, 23; 15:22; 17:7, 9, 10; 19:13, 15, 17, 22; 20:10, 11; 22:50.