Day 245 – Jesus’ Birth

• There are few passages, if any, that are as firmly stamped on the minds of Christians and non-Christians alike throughout the centuries as those of Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth. For generation after generation they have delighted believers about the news it brings… and of course the nativity remains a right-of-passage for primary school children the world over.
• Remember Doctor Luke was a Greek, who wrote to carefully examine the events of the time. As you read through the passage, what interesting snippets of information that Luke includes help you to see this?
• What were the reasons for Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem? The passage doesn’t mention a stable, but what hints are there that that was where the couple stayed?
• Luke 2:7 is the greatest miracle in the history of the world – the eternal Son of God, born as a man. Consider for a minute the simple way that Luke tells the story and the simple surroundings into which Jesus came into the world.
• An angel appeared to the shepherds. Why would God want lowly shepherds to hear the news about Jesus’ birth? What titles was Jesus referred to in Luke 2:11 as the angel spoke? Do you know what “Christ” means?
• Luke’s account doesn’t mention the “kings” or “wise men” – we’ll read about them tomorrow. It’s worth remembering that the news of Jesus was important for the rich and powerful too. He was coming to save all, whoever they were, and whatever their circumstances.
• What happened to Jesus when he was eight days old?
• When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple, they meet a man called Simeon. Who was he? Spend some time considering what he says in Luke 2:29-32. Focus especially on verse 32 – Jesus wasn’t just coming to be the saviour of the Jews, was He? Who else?
• We drop back into the Old Testament again today to read more of Isaiah’s astonishing prophecy of Jesus. They are some of the most famous verses of his book. List the things that he says about Jesus. Did Jesus fulfil them all, from what you already know of Him?
• The verse in 1 Timothy speaks of the “mystery of godliness”, before listing some of the godly states of Jesus. The mystery refers to God working out His plan of salvation through Jesus – sometimes in ways that we just can’t fully grasp. Why would God come to dwell on earth, and put Himself through the pain of the cross, in order to save the very sinners that rebelled against Him in the first place? Our only answer can be to praise Him.

Anybody else feel like it was Christmas as they read today?

I did!

What amazing verses today, and they hardly need any explanation or notes from me for you to know their cosmic significance. Just enjoy them today, and spend some time thinking about how you can see even greater awesomeness in these familiar words in the light of the Old Testament story that frames it.