Luke 2:33-35 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
 
IN the midst of this joyous moment for Simeon, he prophesied a summary of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus will cause change. People will rise, and people will fall because of Jesus’ life. Jesus will make a difference.
     Indeed, he has, hasn’t he? The gospel message is all about change. From the moment Jesus arrived on earth into his creation, countless numbers of people have found new life in him. We’ve read, for example, of Mary and Joseph very personally experiencing God. We saw them faithfully respond to God’s call. And we know, that even in her pierced soul, Mary remained faithful to her son who is her Lord through his death, resurrection and ascension.
     During Jesus’ lifetime, thousands upon thousands of people changed in his miracles. Jesus fed them their daily bread. He healed the sick. He forgave the repentant sinners. On the cross, Jesus offered the great change for mankind’s souls as he exchanged his holiness for our sin. Since the cross, the Holy Spirit has changed millions of souls to eternal life because Jesus, the Savior, has come.
     As you hear the gospel whether it is for the first time or the ten thousandth time, I pray a living faith rises up in you to know it is the power to change you. Rejoice and Know Jesus gospel changes you into a child of the living God!  
    
Prayer: You are the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus. Change my life to fully receive you. Amen.

Luke 2:25-32 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
 
YOU can certainly count Simeon a faithful servant of God, can’t you? God had given to him a wonderful promise: “Simeon, you will see the Savior before you die.” And here comes Jesus. Simeon felt the fullness of God’s great love fulfill his life.
     Jesus is certainly the “great consolation” for each one who turns to him, who sees him with the “eyes of your heart” (Ephesians 1:18) to believe and live into what he says. Jesus’ life brought peace to Simeon, who knew God had fulfilled his promise. Certainly Jesus is the one who brings peace to our souls when we know God has fulfilled his promise to deliver a Savior, his Son, to the world.
     Our Consolation, Jesus Christ, is all we truly have to hold onto, isn’t he? Everything else fades and disappears. But God’s promised Savior is here now. He consoles you in your grief. He lovingly offers you the hope of eternal life.
     Are you perhaps still wondering when you will see Jesus? Pray for such a faith as Simeon’s. Call on the Spirit to open your eyes to see the risen Lord. Await his entry into your life. Acknowledge Jesus as your Consolation him when he comes into your presence. Rejoice the Spirit has opened your eyes to show to you the Savior. Eagerly praise God when your Consolation fills your soul.
    
Prayer: Lord, I want to see the Savior come to me with his consoling love. In Jesus’ name I pray this. Amen.
 

Luke 2:21-24 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 
 
HERE is this simple, poor couple with very little to their name but they managed to buy some pigeons for Mary’s purification and Jesus’ dedication. They do these two rituals because God commands the Jews to do so when a child is born. Joseph and Mary follow the first rule of life: Know God’s Word and obey it.
     Quiet and obedient, Joseph and Mary demonstrated they lived under God’s law for God’s sake. They do not point to themselves to say, “Look at us. We are parents of the Messiah!” This chosen couple went that day holding in their arms the One who would nullify the sacrificial law by becoming the final atoning sacrifice for you. Think of it. Mary and Joseph obeyed God’s Word as they held the Living Word of God.
     This is worship. God’s knowledge has poured into this couple, and they obediently, lovingly responded. Do you feel their worshipful wonder and awe of a God who has shown himself to them in this personal way? Can you know the joy in Joseph’s and Mary’s hearts? Are you thankful with them that God has delivered a son to them? Are you with this couple in humility that they are taking God’s Son to God’s House? Do you tremble with them at the miracle of being the ones chosen for this great task? Could you even be afraid with them that they may make a mistake?  
     God has clearly commanded to you what you must do. Jesus said it this way, in John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” What is your response?
 
Prayer: Lord God, my heart rejoices in your commands. I pray for loving obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
 
THE angels had told the shepherds to go and see the Christ child. They described the scene in some detail. Then the shepherds went to the manger and discovered the scene the angels had described. In high spirits, they praised God for the wonder he had done. ‘         This is what happens when people listen to the details. God’s Spirit has inspired men to write God’s Word to instruct us on how to find the Savior. He then informs us what we will come to know as we discover Jesus. God’s Word promises that when we obey the Lord’s directives, we will glorify the Lord. We will give him credit for all matters of our lives. We will praise his name for the good things he has done.
     The apostle Peter gives us an example of this kind of language in 1 Peter 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade –  kept in Heaven for you.”
     See how these words glorify God. Peter credits God for his mercy to give to us new birth so we can live in a new hope of life everlasting.
     Are you such a witness to the world as the shepherds, as Peter and as countless others who have joyfully praised God for their salvation? I know that there’s plenty of trouble in our world. As I write this, our nation is confronted with an outbreak of violence against our police. We see, too, outrageous mass killings around the world. The abortion mills keep killing unborn children. Greed, malice and ungodly rulers seek to kill and destroy.
     These things are the ways of the world. Do not despair. Live in joy your God has come to rescue you from eternal violence. Live in praise with a heart to love God and love others. Be different, so the world will know God has tells us how to go to “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you.”
 
Prayer: I praise you Father for your eternal gift to my soul. I will live to glorify and praise your name. In Jesus’ love, amen.

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
 
I’VE often pictured Mary looking at the newborn Jesus and considering all the events that have led her to this moment. As Luke uses the word “treasured” it indicates to us that Mary is putting great value on what God is doing. God came to her, a virgin, and he guided her to the miracle of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. The Lord led Joseph to accept a pregnant virgin bride (see Matthew 1:20-21). Then the Spirit led them to this manger this night to declare the glory of the Lord come to earth.
     Treasuring these events, Mary surely thought of the Lord’s favor upon her and the world. Most assuredly she pondered that many more miracles were to come from God, his angels and his Savior Son. She, of faith, would treasure God’s choosing her; she would treasure his plan for her future and Israel’s future. This is what the prophets had proclaimed for generations! She held the prophetic utterings in her arms! Pondering this miraculous reality, Mary was certainly emotionally and spiritually preparing herself for a life of great responsibility. She would watch this boy grow into manhood. Each day of his life in her home, Jesus would certainly cause Mary’ to celebrate and wonder at what God had done.
     Certainly, too, Mary treasured what God would do.
     That is the message of the Savior come to Bethlehem. Treasure the wonder of God’s grace. Open your eyes, heart, mind and soul to celebrate the great miracle of salvation God has given you through the Savior. Ponder your future with Jesus.
     Will you treasure these things in your heart?  
 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I treasure the wonder of you to come so personally into the world and into my life. In Jesus I rejoice. Amen.

Luke 2:16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
 
CAN you imagine the conversations the shepherds had with people after they left the baby Jesus? “Hey everyone, we have some great news! We were watching our sheep. The listen to this: An angel appeared in the sky. He told us the Savior was in a manger here in Bethlehem. Then a great company of angels came joined him to sing praises to God. We saw God’s glory, his great light over the pastures. The music, too, was sensational!
     “Then we came here into town. We did see the Savior! He’s born to a couple named Mary and Joseph. They are in town because of the census. The inn was full, so they went to that stable behind Caesar’s Inn. The child was born right there! It was so unbelievable. We saw the baby Savior of the world! You can go see him, too.”
     Scripture records, “all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” How would they have expressed their amazement? We have no information. But we know in other cases when people wanted to see Jesus, they pressed hard against him in huge crowds. There were no crowds apparently at the manger. Might the shepherds’ news have been too unbelievable?  Would their amazed response go something like this: “Yeah, right guys. The angels came to talk to you? The Messiah is born in a stable? He’s the son of ordinary laborers? Who is this Mary and Joseph, anyway? Guys, you have to do better than that.”
     How about you? What’s your response to the Savior’s birth? Do you tell people around you, “Hey everyone, here’s some great news. God the Father sent Jesus the Son to save us from our sins. Jesus loves you so much, he submitted his life to a cross, so he would take on the punishment for your sins. Yes, it is unbelievable. But believe this remarkable message! Believe Jesus is your eternal Savior to take you into a true, eternal life in Heaven’s glory! Go to him, and you will see.”
     But it’s likely these are words you hold back. You know the response, “Yeah, right, my friend. Jesus saves me from sin? I’m a good person. Who needs Jesus? You’ll have to do better than that. I have my own way to Heaven – if it really exists.”
     Too many times the truth is too amazing for many to comprehend and receive isn’t it? Perhaps God’s truth is too easy and too wonderful to believe. Our work is to be as the shepherds. Be faithful to tell the good news. Pray for unbelieving friends, family and those who oppose you. You have the best news of all time past, present and future to tell to the world. Let them know.
 
Prayer: Lord, I pray for all who say, “A Savior is not possible.” Please turn their hearts to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior of their souls. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 
SEVERAL years ago I had the opportunity to travel to Baltimore. The night I arrived was the night the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl. Two days later, the city celebrated with a parade that traveled the street bordering the building where I was working. I’m a football fan. This was a nice opportunity to see members of the best team in the game.
     But I didn’t see it. I missed this historic moment in Baltimore’s history. I didn’t stop my work for a few minutes to go outside and watch. I have no idea what happened regarding the parade. Did the Ravens really go by the office building?
     Then I think, with that “too much to do” attitude, the shepherds could have missed Jesus that night. When the angels had “gone into Heaven”, if they had said, “No, we won’t go.” they would have missed one of the three greatest spectacles to be seen on earth. (Do you know the other two? One hasn’t happened yet.) Think of it. God favored these men with an invitation into his presence. Then in wonder and awe, they went to see.
     That’s the Bible, isn’t it? God favors his creation with his presence. God invites you to personally experience his very presence in your life. Do you go in awe? Or do you wonder, “Why bother?” Do you focus on, “I need to get this done.” Or do you focus on time with Jesus? God’s messenger still comes. He is the Holy Spirit. He seldom comes to literally shine over our dark nights, but he always comes to spiritually shine Jesus, “the light of the world” (John 8:12) into and onto our souls.
     Thank God for the Light in his Word to invite you into a personal relationship with him. Thank God for the Light in Spirit-empowered teachers who reveal God’s purposes and power to you. Thank God for his Light in Spirit-directed friends who invite you to a Bible study. Thank God for his Light in Spirit-caring people who pray for you. Thank God for his Light in his glorious promises to welcome you to his home. Thank God he urges you to, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
     Stop what you are doing and go to the Light. See the magnificent moments God has prepared for your life.
 
Prayer: Thank you Holy Spirit for your loving Light messages to me that shine Jesus into my life. I pray I am eager to go where you point me to go. Amen.

Luke 2:12-14 “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
 
DO you ever wonder why God, the eternal Father, the Creator of the universe, the one who has made majestic mountains and one-cell animals would have his very own Son born in a manger?
     I’ve been around mangers. They’re dirty. Animals drool into a manger. Sometimes feed gets moldy in a manger. Who knows what bacteria and other disease-bearing organisms live there? Oh, God, couldn’t you at least have opened a room in the crowded inn for your own Son?
     Actually, you could ask a number of “why questions” about Jesus’ life couldn’t you. And likely you have. For example, you could ask, “Why was he born into lower-class working family? Why did he wait until he was 30 to begin ministering? Why did people hate him so? Why did they kill him?”  
     Based on God’s Word revealed in the entire Bible, I believe the Father’s answer would be something like this: “Why, you ask, did I allow My Son to have such a hard birth and laborious life? Why would I even allow him to die? The reason is you. Yes, all was for you, my child. You see, my Son is my gift to you. I wanted to show you how much I love you as I sent my Son from his glorious existence in Heaven to the lowliest place on earth. I wanted to show you real humility, so that you would be submissive to let my words teach you. You would be humbled, too, as you realize my love causes me to go to great lengths to bring you to my eternal home.
     “Doing physical work as a man, my Son knows what work is like for you. He can understand your frustrations. He knows how much you need hope in your life. My Son’s life amid human sin also demonstrated his saving perfection. He resisted sin. As a result, Jesus is the only perfect one who could pay the full price of your sin. Yes, in my love for you, my Son’s life and death opened the doorway to bring my own home with me forever.
     “This is all for you, my child. I am a God who walks with you everywhere, even when it stinks, when it’s uncomfortable and when it’s deadly. My Son has experienced all things human. Trust him, and turn to him. When you do, we – me, my Son, Spirit and you – will joyously live together forever in the glory the shepherds saw that night near Bethlehem.”
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving your Son to the world, so the world can go to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
 

Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
 
IS there a more wonderful message in the Bible and in the history of the world than these words? “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  What a headline! What a story! The Messiah, who is God, has come to earth. And “he has been born to you”.
     What do we do with our lives when we understand this immortal truth? This is the truth that gives our lives meaning. “A Savior has been born to you” sets you free from sin’s death. You are assured of God’s love. You understand your life’s purpose. Hope for a grand and glorious future with the eternal God is made certain in your heart.
     Yes, the remarkable wonder is the event that completes God’s promise from ancient times: “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God” (Exodus 6:7). Yes, God spoke these words to Jacob’s descendants to tell his people he would intimately come to them long before Jesus spoke in the first person “I who speak to you am he.” (John 4:26). Here is the personal God come in person to build a personal relationship with first the Jews and then the people of the entire world.
     Do you get that for your life? Do you feel the personal pleasure of this very persona truth in your life today? As you work, deal with the kids, struggle with circumstances, struggle with money issues and wonder about “tomorrow”, know this: The highest truth and meaning in your life is that “he has been born to you”.
     Miraculously, he is available to you night and day. He offers his peace when distress disturbs your soul. He offers his truth when you need to know what’s right. He gives you his strength when you know there is no way to get through another week. Submitting to the Savior, who “is Christ the Lord,” he watches over you for all eternity. He is your God is so many, many ways.
     Yes, Christ the Lord, the One who saves has come to you. I pray that for you it Is “good news of great joy!” Celebrate it. Accept it. Savor it. Let it surround you. Live in awe “a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”.  
    
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus. I rejoice that you are my Savior, born to save my soul! Amen.  

 

 Luke 2:8-9 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
 
WHEN my granddaughters were toddlers, as I was playing with one or talking with her, my attention would drift to something else in the room. When that happened, she would put her hands on my face. turn my face to her face, look me in the eye and say, in effect, “Pay attention, Grandpa. I’m talking to you.” She got my attention. I was quickly back on track. It is important to honor our loved ones with our undivided attention, isn’t it?  
     Through Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, we see how God lovingly came to Zechariah, Mary and now the shepherds. Very powerfully, in the form of an angel and then a multitude of angels, God personally appeared to put his spiritual hands on the faces of those he had chosen for a special relationship with him. In effect, he graciously, lovingly and pointedly said to each one, “I need your undivided attention. I am here before you. My favor is on your life. Know, then, you have a special role in my plan to send my Savior to the world.”
     The glory of the Lord that night broke into the dark sheep pastures. The light turned the shepherds’ eyes upward. In awe they saw God’s brilliant glory come down to earth. The announcement transformed their lives.
     When Jesus ministered to the world, he continued to demonstrate God’s glory through his preaching, his discipling, his love, his forgiveness, his healing, his death, his resurrection and his ascension. Jesus wanted the world’s full attention to say, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) Thankfully, in God’s power, countless people have paid attention since then to see the Savior’s life. The Spirit has revealed to them God’s hands on their face to say, “My favor is on you. You are mine. I have a special purpose for your life.”
     Yes, God’s message is loud and clear. “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.” Revelation 21:7 May we all pay absolute attention to this eternal announcement on each day of our lives.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your salvation. Amen.