Dig In:
Passage: Luke 2
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-7 - Although the actual record of Jesus' birth is quite simple in v6, the The events Luke describes alongside of it are quite significant, showing how God is working through emperors, kings, governors, and history in order to fulfill His promises. After reporting His birth, the first thing Luke mentions is that the world had no room for Him (v7).
v8-20 - The glorious angelic announcement of Jesus' birth is made to the unlikeliest group of people: shepherds living out in the fields, who waste no time in 'hurrying off' (v16) to find Jesus, and then to tell everybody the met about what they had seen.
v21-40 - It was Roman law that sent Joseph & Mary to Bethlehem so that the prophecies of the Messiah being born there could be fulfilled, and now it's time for Jewish law to be fulfilled as Jesus is presented at the temple to be formally named and circumcised. Once there, Jesus is immediately recognized as the Messiah by two elderly people, Simeon and Anna.
v41-52 - This passage is the only insight we get into what Jesus was like as a boy. On one hand, He was quite normal, as Joseph and Mary had assumed He was off playing with the other children as their group traveled. But on the other hand, it becomes quite apparent when after three days of searching Jerusalem His parents finally find Him discoursing with the most learned men in Israel that Jesus is no ordinary boy.
Old Testament Reference -
Psalm 103 - This very familiar Psalm ends with a description of the angels singing and praising God in a way very similar to what they did that first Christmas morning.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions.
Take a look at this random collection of Christmas pictures. Share a few key differences about the way culture has shaped our understanding of Christmas morning verses what the Bible actually says
What might be most surprising in this chapter to somebody reading it for the first time?
What aspects of the story of Christ’s birth as presented here do you think are most easily overlooked in the way the Christmas holiday is celebrated?
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Glory to God in the highest heaven (v14)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to make you a light for revelation to the Gentiles and that God's salvation will be your glory (v30-32).
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
